State Dept, Pentagon split on whether Russia is enemy or partner

As the US-Russia brokered Syrian ceasefire looms, Secretary John Kerry has been displaying a warm attitude towards Moscow, stressing mutual goals and cooperation, but the Pentagon appears to be reading from a different playbook, calling Russia an enemy. On Thursday, the US Secretary of State testified before Congress trying to sell legislators on a $50 billion budget for his department, calling it “the minimum price” for America’s leadership for the next year. In his fourth testimony this week, Kerry pointed out the scope of the US’ “simultaneous” engagements across the world, while also stressing the need to keep national security strong and protect America’s interests.