However he crudely (in the diplomatic sense) presented himself, Biden was expressing a certain reality within the American foreign policy establishment. This point relates to how someone like Strobe Talbott is considered by some as soft on Russia. Talbott is nowhere near as soft on Russia as Brzezinski is hard on that country.

BTW, in the lead-up to the recent Obama-Medvedev summit, the former’s Russia point man Michael McFaul was saying some diplomatically provocative things. Like Condoleezza Rice, McFaul isn’t as hard core as folks like Zbigniew Brzezinski, Janusz Bugajski and Taras Kuzio. At the same time, McFaul and Rice know which way the wind blows and seem to position themselves with that current in mind.

As Obama was about to visit Russia, there was a Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty article on how others were concerned about their interests getting sacrificed.
Concerning Russia, any US administration will have to balance a more realistic course with how some influential others view that country.

Given Biden's bigoted remarks about Serbs, it's no surprise what he said about Russia. Anti-Serb and anti-Russian seem to often go hand in hand.

Some related commentary on Biden:

Bomber Joe and Russia: Why is Biden Channeling Cheney? http://www.counterpunch.org/breyman07272009.html

Biden's Russia Blunder http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-ed-biden28-2009jul28,0,5594672.story

Be consoled -- Biden is the same idiot who wanted to intern all American Orthodox during the Serbian incursion. Boy, we sure know how to pick 'em in this country...

Biden is an idiot and a hypocrite, as are many in the current presidential administration. They go on and on about "resetting" relations with Russia, then they turn around and say things that certainly doesn't endear Russia to us. It's absolutely ridiculous.

Joe Biden:
"Six months ago I couldn't even spell "diplomat." Now I are one."

Joe Biden is so gaffe prone.He was a poor choice for Obama