"While U.S. policymakers openly discuss the possibilities for partnership with Russia in Europe and Central Asia, they often do not even bother to mention Russia as a player in East Asia, an omission that no Russian statesman has ever made, and with good reason. Indeed, for the last decade, Russia has consistently striven to upgrade its profile and capabilities in Asia. The papers set forth here depict three differing analyses of the extent to which Russia has succeeded or failed in this endeavor, including the nature of the complex East Asian environment in which Russia must operate. They make a strong case against such neglect of Russia as an Asian player, either in the analytical or policymaking process. These papers present differing U.S. and Russian assessments of Russia's Asian prospects"--P. vii-viii.