By a vote of 71-26 this afternoon, the Senate passed the nuclear arms control agreement between the US and Russia, securing another major victory for Democrats in the lame duck session of Congress. The treaty also awaits Russian approval.

NYU Russian Studies professor and longtime Nation contributor Stephen F. Cohen spoke with CNN’s Parker-Spitzer team about the relevance of the START treaty today, and why the US shouldn’t underestimate the importance of good relations with Russia just because we’re out of the Cold War. According to Cohen, "the stability of the world depends on the stability of Russia." 

Listen for more about the implications of START for Russian-American relations, why Russia matters on the world stage today, and what kind of message Obama is sending to leaders abroad with his failure to take strong stances against his opposition at home.

—Braden Goyette