In this volume, Russian Foreign Minister Igor S. Ivanov describes the evolution of his country"s foreign policy since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Drawing on Russia"s long diplomatic history, Ivanov analyses the complex process through which a newly democratic Russia has redefined its foreign policy during a volatile transformation over the 1990s. It includes the text of Russia"s Foreign Policy Concept, a Putin administration document that guides the day-to-day activities of the government. Designed to provide the world community with a transparent outline of Russia"s foreign policy agenda, the Concept attempts to balance Russia"s role in the new world order with internal pressures to focus on domestic stability. The Concept delineates the role of parliament in making foreign policy decisions, the interrelationship of the legislative and executive branches and the apportionment of authority among the president, government and regional authorities. It also stresses the need to renovate Russia"s diplomatic service, whose tradition of professionally trained diplomats dates back to Peter the Great.