> A Tupolev Tu-144 in flight over Moscow as part of a NASA-sponsored research project in 1998. Photo five, featuring a Tu-144 with a US and Russia flag on it.

> A Tupolev Tu-144 in flight over Moscow as part of a NASA-sponsored research project in 1998. Photo five, featuring a Tu-144 with a US and Russia flag on it. Ah the brief optimistic days before the Cold War resumed. There are even a smattering of Hollywood movies over that span of time where the Russians and Americans work together in friendly fashion. When you view those movies now (eg Air Force One 1997), it seems entirely bizarre, from some fantasy world. Movies before: Soviets, Cold War, enemies; during the thaw: yay, Russia, democracy, friends, hugs all around; after: Putin, Cold War, quasi-enemies.