DRIFTING AWAY – AT 11:53 A.M. ET:  There are signs the Trump-Putin bromance may be starting to fade.  From AFP and AP:

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called Saturday for an end to a world order dominated by the West and said Moscow wanted to establish a “pragmatic” relationship with the United States.

Lavrov was speaking at the Munich Security Conference shortly after US Vice President Mike Pence told the audience Washington remained “unwavering” in its commitment to the US-led NATO military alliance as it faced a more assertive Russia.

Lavrov said that the time when the West called the shots was over and, dismissing NATO as a relic of the Cold War, added: “I hope that (the world) will choose a democratic world order — a post-West one — in which each country is defined by its sovereignty.”

Lavrov said Moscow wanted to build relations with Washington which would be “pragmatic with mutual respect and acknowledgement of our responsibility for global stability.”

The two countries had never been in direct conflict, he said, noting that they were actually close neighbours across the Baring Straits.

Russia wanted to see a “common space of good neighbor relations from Vancouver to Vladivostok,” he added.

Earlier at the conference Pence vowed to “hold Russia accountable” even as President Donald Trump searches for new common ground with Moscow at the start of his presidency.

COMMENT:  I believe that Mike Pence's role in this administration will be critical, and one of the main things to watch.  He is seriously experienced, calm, and capable, and, one assumes, has his eye on the top job.  Remember that 2020 is only three years away.

February 18,  2017