U.S.-Russia Missile Defense Convergence.

Despite the fact that Russia's continued transfer of missile technology to North Korea and Iran represents "a proliferation problem of significant proportion," the Bush administration is preparing to share missile defense technology with Moscow, reported the AP on August 3rd.

Describing "a new strategic framework" for U.S.-Russian relations, National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice, a member of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), told reporters: "I am hopeful there can be a new day with Russia. We are talking about a bigger issue than what we do about missile defenses and strategic weapons.... We've set up intense consultations. We believe there is a new strategic framework out there that permits missile defenses and involves offensive reductions."

This "new relationship," according to Rice, may include the exchange of defense plans between the U.S. and Russia "so [each can] see what the other side is doing' continued Rice. It may also include joint warning exercises and the exchange of missile data, and U.S. permission for Russia to purchase American-made military hardware.

Rice describes efforts to work out a U.S.-Russia "strategic framework" as "consultations" -- discussions among colleagues -- rather than "negotiations," which are discussions between rivals or enemies. The Bush administration, predictably enough, will be represented in those talks by a bevy of CFR members, including Rice, Secretary of State Colin Powell, Assistant Secretary of State John Bolton, Under Secretary of State Douglas Feith, and (former CFR member) Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.