Two think tanks, the American Center for Strategic and International Studies and the French Institute of International Relations, are leading a joint project, 'Europe, Russia and the United States: Finding a New Balance,' containing recommendations for political leaders. In July 2008, as part of this project, the work of former special assistant to President Bush Jr. Thomas Graham, 'American-Russian Relations,' was published. The energy part of the work contains the following conclusion: 'Progress in the development of bilateral relations could come from: 1) acceptance by the United States of the existing structure of the Russian energy sector, a willingness to consider serious Russian investments in US energy assets, joint American-Russian ventures in 'third countries'; 2) Russia's recognition of the need for management experience and technological know-how of large American energy companies to develop hard-to-reach deposits (in particular, on the northern shelf), which is now a necessary condition for maintaining production levels in Russia.' Such an 'exchange' is important for both sides, for the whole world. It should only be added that the implementation of these recommendations is undermined by the desire of certain circles in Washington not only to weaken Russia, but also to create insurmountable obstacles to its rapprochement with the European Union. The latter, I fear, is becoming one of the main directions of US foreign policy strategy. Moreover, this strategy is aimed at building muscle not only in relations with Russia, but also with Europe.