United States/Russia: Obama to Face Strained US-Soviet Relations After Taking Office.

Section: General News - When President-elect Barack Obama is sworn into office January 20, he will face a host of domestic and international issues, including what policy to pursue toward Russia. In Focus, VOA's Andre de Nesnera looks at U.S.-Russia relations and the most serious disagreement between Washington and Moscow - U.S. plans for a missile defense shield in Eastern Europe.

Most analysts agree that relations between Washington and Moscow are not good. Some experts use phrases such as "poor", "tense" and "at a very low point" to describe the relationship.

Marshall Goldman from Harvard University says both sides are to blame for the deteriorating relationship.

"The United States under President George W. Bush adopted some policies that the Russians viewed as being unilateral and in an effort to undermine Russia's position in the world political system. And at the same time, the Russians did some things, and …