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Thepromotionofdemocracy, human rights, and religious liberty is a worthy cause. This is especially the case when a country has been identified as one of “Particular Concern.”1 However, when the regime you are engaging has invaded the territorial sovereignty of its neighbor (Ukraine, a US ally that is also the only Partnership for Peace member that has contributed to all NATO-led operations), and is also on the brink of war with another one of your alliance members (Turkey) over the shooting down of one of its aircraft, and further that the Pentagon advises quadrupling military spending in the region to help deter this regime’s aggression, it seems that the promotion of religious, civil, and political liberties is hardly a primary concern. Thesituation is further complicated when the domestic politics of the country of concern, Russia, have taken an illiberal turn. Democracy, human rights, and religious freedom are generally seen as imposed ideas from the West not compatible with Russian political culture or as part of a “third column” intended to destabilize if