Yes, the idea things might have still gone sour had Trump been elected cannot be dismissed, although I doubt things overall would have turned out like they did. We will have to see what the future holds.
On your second point, quite so on both counts.
Yes, there were a lot of attempts at cooperation back then. I personally met with senior reps from Lavochkin to explore the possibility of a joint venture I had proposed. They gave us a briefing on the state of things in Russia at the time that was entirely eye opening. They also happened to be staying near where I lived, so I gave them a ride to their hotel. They showered me with gifts in return, including a bar of Russian chocolate. It was a fascinating experience. In the end, nothing came of it and that era (as I've heard) is not recalled fondly in Russia these days, for understandable reasons.
I have some memory of that (Russia joining NATO), though I never got the impression it was especially serious. You may be better informed than myself on that topic as my focus had shifted by that time, but I do recall a desire to enlist Russia's aid in the GWOT, and some overtures to that end. There seemed to be a spike in alarm after Beslan over Russia's possible response, but it faded (at least as far as I was aware) and Basayev's eventual death closed the issue. Around the time, awareness of Putin's true colors (as you say) I think was growing and became clear by 2008.
But I am being prolix now, and will close. You responses are appreciated, and as always, thanks again to Glenn.
Yes, the idea things might have still gone sour had Trump been elected cannot be dismissed, although I doubt things overall would have turned out like they did. We will have to see what the future holds.
On your second point, quite so on both counts.
Yes, there were a lot of attempts at cooperation back then. I personally met with senior reps from Lavochkin to explore the possibility of a joint venture I had proposed. They gave us a briefing on the state of things in Russia at the time that was entirely eye opening. They also happened to be staying near where I lived, so I gave them a ride to their hotel. They showered me with gifts in return, including a bar of Russian chocolate. It was a fascinating experience. In the end, nothing came of it and that era (as I've heard) is not recalled fondly in Russia these days, for understandable reasons.
I have some memory of that (Russia joining NATO), though I never got the impression it was especially serious. You may be better informed than myself on that topic as my focus had shifted by that time, but I do recall a desire to enlist Russia's aid in the GWOT, and some overtures to that end. There seemed to be a spike in alarm after Beslan over Russia's possible response, but it faded (at least as far as I was aware) and Basayev's eventual death closed the issue. Around the time, awareness of Putin's true colors (as you say) I think was growing and became clear by 2008.
But I am being prolix now, and will close. You responses are appreciated, and as always, thanks again to Glenn.