Russia - USA Conflict explained

 Why are the USA and Russia enemies of each other? A brief history and recent condition of their relations

The USA and Russia are two of the most powerful and influential countries in the world, but their relationship has been marked by rivalry, mistrust and confrontation for decades. How did they become enemies, and what are the main sources of tension between them today?

The origins of their animosity can be traced back to the Cold War era, when the USA and its allies faced off against the Soviet Union and its communist bloc in a global struggle for ideological, political and military supremacy. The Cold War lasted from 1947 to 1991, and was characterized by proxy wars, nuclear arms race, espionage, propaganda and ideological competition. The two superpowers never directly fought each other, but they came close to a nuclear war several times, such as during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962.

The end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 created an opportunity for a new era of cooperation and partnership between the USA and Russia. The two countries signed several treaties on arms control, nuclear disarmament, trade and cooperation on various issues. They also worked together to resolve regional conflicts, such as in Bosnia, Kosovo and Afghanistan. The USA supported Russia's transition to a market economy and democracy and welcomed its integration into the international community.

The honeymoon period did not last long, as new sources of friction emerged between the two countries. Some of these include:

 NATO expansion: Russia viewed the enlargement of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), a military alliance led by the USA, to include former Soviet republics and Warsaw Pact members as a threat to its security and influence in Europe. Russia also opposed NATO's intervention in Yugoslavia in 1999, which led to the independence of Kosovo, a former province of Serbia that is home to a large ethnic Albanian population. Russia considers Kosovo part of Serbia, its traditional ally in the Balkans.

Missile defence: The USA announced plans to deploy a missile defence system in Europe to protect itself and its allies from potential attacks by rogue states such as Iran and North Korea. Russia saw this as a violation of the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty (ABM) that it signed with the USA in 1972, and as a potential threat to its nuclear deterrent. Russia also accused the USA of using the missile defence issue as a pretext to encircle Russia with military bases and weapons.

- Human rights and democracy: The USA criticized Russia for its violations of human rights and democratic norms, such as cracking down on political opposition, media freedom, civil society and minority rights. The USA also supported pro-democracy movements in countries such as Georgia, Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan, where popular uprisings ousted pro-Russian leaders. Russia accused the USA of interfering in its internal affairs and those of its neighbour, and of promoting regime change through covert means.

- Energy security: The USA sought to diversify its sources of energy and reduce its dependence on oil imports from the Middle East. The USA also supported the development of alternative energy routes from Central Asia and the Caspian Sea region that would bypass Russia. Russia used its vast energy resources as a tool of influence and leverage over its neighbour, especially those that depend on Russian gas supplies. Russia also opposed the construction of pipelines that would transport gas from Turkmenistan to Europe via Azerbaijan and Turkey, or from Iran to India via Pakistan.

- Regional conflicts: The USA and Russia have different interests and positions on various regional conflicts around the world, such as in Syria, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Venezuela, North Korea and Afghanistan. The USA has accused Russia of supporting authoritarian regimes that oppress their own people or threaten regional stability. Russia has accused the USA of pursuing unilateral actions that violate international law or undermine multilateral diplomacy.

The relationship between the USA and Russia reached a new low in 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine after a popular referendum that was not recognized by most of the international community. The USA and its allies imposed economic sanctions on Russia for violating Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. They also supported Ukraine's government in its fight against pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine. Russia responded by imposing countersanctions on Western countries, suspending cooperation on various issues such as nuclear security and counterterrorism, and increasing its military presence and activities in Europe and elsewhere.

The situation worsened further in 2016, when the USA accused Russia of interfering in its presidential election by hacking into Democratic Party emails and spreading disinformation to help Donald Trump win against Hillary Clinton. The USA also blamed Russia for cyberattacks against US government agencies and private companies. The USA imposed sanctions on Russia and expelled Russian diplomats in response. Russia denied the allegations and accused the USA of spreading anti-Russian hysteria and trying to undermine its political system. 

Despite these tensions and disagreements, the USA and Russia continue to engage in dialogue and cooperation on certain issues, such as arms control, counterterrorism, space exploration and the Arctic. However, the relationship remains fragile and unpredictable, as both sides perceive each other as a threat to their national security and interests. The future of their relations will depend on the willingness and ability of their leaders and societies to overcome their differences and find common ground for cooperation and peaceful coexistence.