As a lawyer presently engaged on cases in Russia, the CIS, Southeast Asia, Latin America, and elsewhere, I cannot understate the dramatic changes which we have seen occurring in many of these countries in terms of their foreign relations. Partially as the result of a generalized withdrawal from many diplomatic positions by the Obama administration, a global power realignment is taking place. The psychosis of “reset diplomacy” has proven to be contagious, spreading from the poor decision making in the relationship with Russia, toward other concessionary policies – journalist Steve LeVine has even gone as far as arguing that the United States has left the “Great Game” in Central Asia. The Obama foreign policy doctrine mirrors an effect we have witnessed in France, whereby interests and foreign policy outcomes are held hostage to domestic politics. In a desperate search for results to soothe disenchanted electorates, Washington has backed itself into an irresolute position which leaves our allies bemused, confused, and often forced to start hedging their bets and diversifying ties. Like many other observers, I was pleased to see the Nobel peace prize awarded to the courageous Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo, but Obama’s sudden call for China to release him is unfortunately received like a joke – it’s just completely inconsistent with any policy position of the administration. With respect to Russia, it will be interesting to see how long the Obama administration will be able to see a domestic political benefit. Whatever “victories” are obtained in terms of U.S. priorities with Iran and Afghanistan are unconvincing, given that Moscow’s options in these spheres is so inherently limited anyways. Confirming and illustrating several of these trends, I wanted to point out an incisive commentary published in the Times of London yesterday, entitled “As Obama looks away, the bear digs its claws back into former Soviet states.” I am unable to find any direct link to the article online, but below is an excerpt: