In Putin's Russia, Minister Primes You!

Widely acknowledged lapdog Dmitiri Medvedev unveiled his vision for Russia's foreign policy going forward. By all accounts, it boils down to "Yeah. What he said."

In addition to the expected expansion of powers for the Tsar--ahem--Prime Ministership, Medvedev's foreign policy vision also apparently emphasizes

...the importance of international law, which should come as no surprise given Medvedev's background as a lawyer, Trenin said.

Saints preserve us! The Russians are lecturing us on international law! No surprise, considering that we're building long-term bases and anti-ballistic missile installations in their own backyard. There are also nods to the burgeoning partnership/co-dependent relationship with the European Union and strengthening other international ties. The good folks over at Foreign Policy's Passport blog sum it up nicely:

Russia is officially operating in the post-American world.

Ah, the multi-polar world. Herein lies another major point Obama has to make plain to the American people: the post-Cold War unipolar world America used to squat atop is no more. While Walnuts rambles on about kicking Russia out of the G8 and complains about Kids These Days with their hippity-hop music, the opportunity exists to at least try to show the American people that this nation need not dominate the globe in order to lead it. BHO's international trip will likely focus on that mindset, which is one he's expressed before: America is ready to lead again. Nice slogan. Should garner some good will, while we try to dig ourselves out of the Bushco hole. No surprise he's got a major speech planned in Germany. Germany's a lynchpin in the Russo-EU relationship. One can only hope that the idea of cooperating with other nations--say, alternative energy with the EU; nuclear weapons security and reduction with Russia--will be a better draw for America than Walnuts' Big Stick aspirations.

One more thing:

At the top of the list is ensuring national security, followed by creating the foreign conditions needed to modernize Russia and protect its economic rights.

Hasn't this been Russia's goal since--ohhh--the dawn of the 20th Century? Keep chasing that dream, Russia. You'll always be the Can't Get Right of nations to us.