The Russian regime has repudiated the post Cold War order. The West must draw a red line around the norms and rules essential to sustain an open international system
Romanian living in Tokyo. I will be starting my graduate school life from April majoring in international politics. I always learn a lot from your essays.
Thank you so much for this first rate analysis of what is truly at stake in the Ukraine crisis. Putin believes that western elites are weak, and he will keep on extending his control over neighbouring states until the costs of doing so markedly outweigh the gains. The sanctions outlined in the article indicate just how radical a change is needed in our relations with Russia in order to bring such a situation about. This will hurt the west also, but nowhere near as much as empowering a revanchist tyrant who seeks, ultimately, to undermine liberal democracy in Europe.
Le Drain's comment actually marks a new appeasement, as he calls into question current European security arrangements i.e. Nato and invites Putin, a totalitarian bent on the destruction of the West to cooperate in creating a new security architecture, which would lead only to the unraveling of the west. Macron is also posturing as a neo-Gaullist, pretending to lead Europe without the US; his hubris will hopefully lead him to his Nemesis, as Precasse thrashes him in the upcoming election. War is coming in a few days (at the end of the Beijing Olympics, to accommodate Xi). It will produce a Ukranian insurgency which the West must aid and abet. Let it carry into Russia itself, to the overthrow of Putin and his malign host. War in Russian history has often been accompanied by revolution, as Lenin well understood. Putin for all his vaunted appreciation of history and fear of revolution has forgotten that elementary lesson.
As ever, Phillip tells it like it is (though I do miss the punchiness of his trademark single-clause opening sentence!) I speak as a 'peacenik': back in the days of the relatively 'cuddly' Gorbachev or Yeltsin, I would have advocated a 'sunshine' policy towards Moscow. But Putin is indisputably a bully, a thug, a kind of mafioso leader who would pounce on any sign of weakness. I can't offer any solutions, however. For those, like me, with a long interest in Russia and building better relations with Russia, these are depressing times.
Romanian living in Tokyo. I will be starting my graduate school life from April majoring in international politics. I always learn a lot from your essays.
Thank You...
Excellent article, required reading for Western leaders
Much appreciated
Thank you...
Excellent summary as usual
Very impressive. A tour de force to provide such an incisive summary of the issues at stake within a few paragraphs.
Thank you so much for this first rate analysis of what is truly at stake in the Ukraine crisis. Putin believes that western elites are weak, and he will keep on extending his control over neighbouring states until the costs of doing so markedly outweigh the gains. The sanctions outlined in the article indicate just how radical a change is needed in our relations with Russia in order to bring such a situation about. This will hurt the west also, but nowhere near as much as empowering a revanchist tyrant who seeks, ultimately, to undermine liberal democracy in Europe.
Le Drain's comment actually marks a new appeasement, as he calls into question current European security arrangements i.e. Nato and invites Putin, a totalitarian bent on the destruction of the West to cooperate in creating a new security architecture, which would lead only to the unraveling of the west. Macron is also posturing as a neo-Gaullist, pretending to lead Europe without the US; his hubris will hopefully lead him to his Nemesis, as Precasse thrashes him in the upcoming election. War is coming in a few days (at the end of the Beijing Olympics, to accommodate Xi). It will produce a Ukranian insurgency which the West must aid and abet. Let it carry into Russia itself, to the overthrow of Putin and his malign host. War in Russian history has often been accompanied by revolution, as Lenin well understood. Putin for all his vaunted appreciation of history and fear of revolution has forgotten that elementary lesson.
Great article
Fantastic, thank you. Every time I read your articles, I come away learning something new.
Comments such as your make it worth writing. Thank you!
Excellent, thank you
Thank you. Very depressing times. I will make a note about the "punchy" opening!
As ever, Phillip tells it like it is (though I do miss the punchiness of his trademark single-clause opening sentence!) I speak as a 'peacenik': back in the days of the relatively 'cuddly' Gorbachev or Yeltsin, I would have advocated a 'sunshine' policy towards Moscow. But Putin is indisputably a bully, a thug, a kind of mafioso leader who would pounce on any sign of weakness. I can't offer any solutions, however. For those, like me, with a long interest in Russia and building better relations with Russia, these are depressing times.