The book contains analysis of the dramatic systemic changes of the Russian state, principles of the governance and its foreign policy orientation. It reviews the extent of changes in Russian approaches to geopolitics and the most appropriate geopolitical development patterns that influenced the transformation of Russian foreign policies and military strategic thinking on the eve of the 21 century. The sustainability of these developments depend on the results of political, social-economic, territorial-administrative, military, etc reforms that were initiated in the last decades of the 20th century and were being implemented during Putin's Presidency. As a result the book helps to understand the roots and reasons for Russia's decision to expand engagement with the West after September 11 2001, as well as the pitfalls of such 'geostrategic shifts' that should not be taken for granted.