In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Joe Biden has suggested that pragmatism led Russia to accept better relations with the US, unreservedly citing the country’s numerous problems (including its ‘withering economy’) as reason for the thaw.  Russia has voiced its perplexity at the criticisms, and awaits ‘clarification’, with a foreign policy adviser asking, ‘who is shaping the U.S. foreign policy, the president or respectable members of his team?’  Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has adopted a more appeasing tone, stating, ‘we view Russia as a great power‘.  Russia and the US will have regular arms cut talks in August and September.