Moscow, Europe Publishing House, 2006, pp 672
Today, as Russia once again tries to claim its place in the world, quite often facing strong resistance both in the East and the West, it is of particular importance to reconsider foreign policy of the mature Russian Empire under five tsars: Alexander I, Nicholas I, Alexander II, Alexander III and Nicholas II. The world has changed, and modern Russia has little in common with the long-gone Empire. However, it is certainly productive to study achievements and failures of Russian diplomacy, correct and wrong political assessments, properly elaborated strategies and harsh strategic miscalculations. Perhaps the most revealing are the sad repetitions of delusions based primarily on emotional assessments rather than rational calculations. It is too often that Russia has become hostage to illusions that one can have friends in the sphere where only interests really matter.
