formidable as is that of Russia.
Given the uncertainties of the contemporary global political environment, the relationship between the two most powerful military forces on earth the United States and Russia will likely determine the political shape of the world for years to come. Within this context, the question that must be answered concerns the degree of collaboration and conflict that may be anticipated between the United States and Russia, for the higher the level of collaboration, the lower the level of conflict, and the greater the probability of international political stability. Thus, the research question that was investigated in this study was as follows: Is there evidence of lasting and increasing collaboration between the United States and Russia in the post Cold War period? The hypothesis tested through the conduct of this study was as follows: A state of lasting and increasing collaboration by the United States and Russia in the pursuit of international political stability is not supported by the evidence available.
The research approach pursued in the conduct of this study was an historical survey and assessment of international relations literature relevant to the problem investigated. A theoretical rational for the conduct of international relations in the second half of the twentieth century was developed as a basis for an examination of the conduct of international relations by the United States and the former Soviet Union during the Cold War era and by the United States and Russia in the post Cold War period.
The research problem investigated through the conduct of this study was developed in this chapter, and the methodological approach to the investigation was explained. The theoretical rational for the conduct of international relations in the second half of the twentieth century is developed in the following chapter.
THEORETICAL RATIONALE FOR THE CONDUCT
Literature is reviewed in this cha...