When the G8 major economies convened at Camp David last weekend, the continuing crisis of the euro, common currency of 17 European Union (EU) members, dominated the economic discussions. The agonies of Greece, badly divided in recent parliamentary elections, and forced to vote again on 17 June, were at the forefront.

For several weeks now it’s been clear that Putin won’t attend this month’s NATO summit in Chicago. NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen recently spoke with Russia’s new/old president and explained that it’s “not possible and not practical” for Putin to participate because of his “busy domestic calendar.”

The developed nations are happy to send aid, but reluctant to ask uncomfortable questions.

Are Washington and Russia growing apart? If so, what is causing the rift?

The G8 summit was momentous. Its headlines managed to compete with the terrorist attack in London, andof thefew concrete agreements made, most were a triumph for U.S. diplomacy.

Why not rebuild on the basis of current and future potential economic and political power and start with a basic G3: the United States, the European Union, and China?

The G8 rhetoric on trade is not being matched by reality, particularly in Washington.