Shadow Government

A front-row seat to the Republicans' debate over foreign policy, including their critique of the Biden administration.

Which button are we hitting now?

By Christian Brose For everyone wondering where the U.S. government keeps the "reset button" that Vice President Biden tells us we will be hitting on our relationship with Russia, it has now been located. In fact, Secretary Clinton, in Geneva today, presented a "reset button" as a gift to Foreign Minister Lavrov. This presents a few interpretive problems. ...

By Christian Brose

By Christian Brose

For everyone wondering where the U.S. government keeps the "reset button" that Vice President Biden tells us we will be hitting on our relationship with Russia, it has now been located. In fact, Secretary Clinton, in Geneva today, presented a "reset button" as a gift to Foreign Minister Lavrov. This presents a few interpretive problems. Had Clinton already hit the reset button prior to giving it to Lavrov? Is it Russia that is now supposed to hit the reset button on its relationship with the United States (a more fitting though far-fetched metaphor)? When hitting said reset button, will Russia use an open hand or a clenched fist? These are serious questions, and Americans want answers.

Well, the plot thickens. Turns out, the Russian word inscribed on the button didn’t translate to "reset." As Lavrov pointed out, Clinton had given him an "overcharge" button. Something tells me that’s a button Moscow won’t be hitting anytime soon, even if the Obama administration tries to pay for better Russian behavior by selling off NATO missile defense or bargaining away the peace of mind of our eastern European allies. In fact, Clinton may want to take back that overcharge button. She may need it soon.

Christian Brose is a senior editor at Foreign Policy. He served as chief speechwriter and policy advisor for U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice from 2005 to 2008, and as speechwriter for former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell from 2004 to 2005.

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