Cold War returns in United States and Russia relations
The links between two capital cities, Washington and Moscow has returned to old style instead of a new beginning while bilateral relations revives a "power race" of Cold war era.
"A fresh start," which United States wish to establish with Russia has not moved forward because of many recent differences of opinions such as different approaches in Syrian crisis, Iran, missile defense system, nuclear disarmament and human rights. Hence, bilateral relations returned to a "power race" of Cold war era. US has been criticized that US could not taken serious actions against Assad regime and could not handle Syrian crisis as the world power although the "red lines" were overstepped because Russia kept its stance on Syrian crisis. Lately, Snowden crisis added spices to deteriorated relations of two countries after Russia had received temporary asylum request of US National Security Agency whistle-blower Edward Snowden. US President Barack Obama on Friday to clarify his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, said "I don't have a bad relationship" with him, but he added, it would be appropriate for US to take a pause in relationship with Russia, in wake of Snowden crisis. White House Spokesman Jay Carney said "We are extremely disappointed that the Russian government would take this step despite our very clear and lawful requests in public and private that Snowden be expelled and returned to the United States." Former US National Security Agency contractor Snowden had received asylum for a year in Russia. Still, disagreement on Syria is the top issue for the tension between US and Russia. While Russia called on all armed groups and foreign actors to stop the bloodshed in Syria, US and international organizations want to topple Assad regime. G8 leaders in June could not persuade Russia to find a political solution to the ongoing Syrian civil war although Obama announced they had evidence that Syrian regime used chemical weapons.
After all, Obama had cancelled plans to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow next month during G-20 Summit.
Combining all, it seems that the reason that Obama cancelled his meeting with Putin was to improve his image as a leader of world power.
