Uninformed. The neoliberal establishment was ecstatic at the idea of creating economic ties with Russia and its vast natural resources, so the crimes of the kleptocracy were swept under the rugs for decades, even when he was invading neighbors and trying to attack US bases in Syria.
There was a time that Putin was seen as a possible American ally, especially after 9/11 as Putin tried to portray both countries as fighting Islamic extremism.
The relationship started souring near the end of the W Bush Administration, especially as the USA seemed like it was setting up camp in Central Asia and deployed anti-missile technology that could be used to target both Russian and Iranian missiles, which could jeopardize MAD.
Even then, the relationship between the USA and Russia didn’t become openly antagonistic until the Second Ukraine Invasion.
Uninformed. The neoliberal establishment was ecstatic at the idea of creating economic ties with Russia and its vast natural resources, so the crimes of the kleptocracy were swept under the rugs for decades, even when he was invading neighbors and trying to attack US bases in Syria.
There was a time that Putin was seen as a possible American ally, especially after 9/11 as Putin tried to portray both countries as fighting Islamic extremism.
The relationship started souring near the end of the W Bush Administration, especially as the USA seemed like it was setting up camp in Central Asia and deployed anti-missile technology that could be used to target both Russian and Iranian missiles, which could jeopardize MAD.
Even then, the relationship between the USA and Russia didn’t become openly antagonistic until the Second Ukraine Invasion.