An Academic Overview of Jacob Taylor Kriminger’s Thesis on U.S.–Russian Relations (2017–2020)

 


An Academic Overview of Jacob Taylor Kriminger’s Thesis on U.S.–Russian Relations (2017–2020)


This article provides an academic summary of “The New Cold War: U.S.–Russian Relations Under the Trump Administration (2017–2020),” a graduate thesis authored by Jacob Taylor Kriminger as part of the Master of Science in Security Studies program at East Carolina University in Greenville, NC. The study investigates the evolving dynamic between the United States and the Russian Federation during a period marked by political turbulence, conflicting narratives, and strategic uncertainty.


Research Focus and Purpose

Kriminger’s thesis examines whether the state of U.S.–Russian relations during 2017–2020 can be understood as a reemergence of Cold War–like conditions. The research seeks to determine whether the structural characteristics of the original Cold War—ideological rivalry, mutual suspicion, and competing geopolitical aims—have re-manifested in a modern context.


Specifically, the thesis evaluates:


  • Shifts in U.S. policy toward Russia during the Trump administration
  • Domestic political pressures within the Russian Federation
  • The role of media and political narratives in shaping perceptions
  • Communication breakdowns that increased the risk of misinterpretation






Methodological Approach



Kriminger employs a qualitative research framework, synthesizing policy documents, academic literature, intelligence assessments, and contemporary media sources. The analysis focuses on identifying patterns of rivalry and strategic competition, while also tracing how domestic political climates in Washington and Moscow influenced foreign-policy behavior.


The study uses comparative Cold War scholarship as a baseline to assess whether current interactions resemble past confrontations.





Key Findings

1. Heightened Strategic Mistrust

The thesis concludes that mistrust between the United States and Russia intensified during this period. Attempts at diplomatic reset were consistently overshadowed by accusations of election interference, sanctions, and conflicting foreign-policy goals.



2. Domestic Politics as a Driving Force

Kriminger highlights the significant influence of internal political pressures on Russian decision-making. Concerns about regime stability, national identity, and Western encroachment shaped Moscow’s outward posture.

Similarly, U.S. domestic debates—particularly those tied to partisanship and media framing—amplified tensions and narrowed opportunities for cooperation.



3. Media Narratives and Perception Building

An important observation in the thesis is the role of media ecosystems in both countries. Overlapping narratives reinforced perceptions of hostility and competition, contributing to an environment in which even routine diplomatic actions were viewed with suspicion.


4. Communication Breakdown and Escalation Risk

Kriminger notes that the lack of reliable communication channels heightened the probability of miscalculation. With fewer established diplomatic avenues, both nations faced increased difficulty in managing crises or clarifying intentions.

Conclusion and Academic Contribution

Kriminger’s thesis argues that while the geopolitical landscape of 2017–2020 does not replicate the original Cold War in full, it does exhibit several defining characteristics of renewed strategic rivalry. The erosion of trust, intensified domestic pressures, lack of diplomatic predictability, and persistent threat narratives collectively suggest the emergence of a “new Cold War” framework.


The study contributes to the broader field of security studies by demonstrating how modern rivalries are shaped not only by material power competition, but also by political communication, media framing, and internal state dynamics.


Location: Greenville, NC, USA

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