Yeltsin/Putin seemed to have a legitimate desire to join NATO in the 90s/early 00s. Russia joining NATO would almost completely encircle China and allow the EU and US to station troops on the Chinese border. So it would have been a geopolitical masterstroke.
What is the explanation for why Russia didn't join NATO? Is it because China wasn't seen as a threat back then or is it simply cold war brainworms? Anyone have an explanation or readings on this?
As others have said, it has to do with geopolitics. HOWEVER, it also has to do with the very self-destructive nature of American politics. Even if the Clinton admin wanted Russia to join NATO, the Republicans would have immediately thrown a wrench in the works just because that is just what they do. You see this behavior time and again within the U.S. foreign policy, which is why we are unable to form a coherent foreign policy. Now, this works well to bully smaller nations or even remain inscrutable to the competition, but as soon as we face countries with our level of economic development and consistent, predictable, long term foreign policy objectives, it will fall apart because people don't want to deal with a wild card. And the sad part is that 'the blob' knows this, but can't decide if China or Russia is a bigger threat.