Russian President Putin (Mikhail Klimentyev / RIA Novosti / Reuters)
The Putin Doctrine: Myth, Provocation, Blackmail, or the Real Deal? -- Lilia Shevtsova
When it comes to explaining Russia’s Ukrainian adventurism, the West has attempted to hide behind a wall of myths and hope its problems will just go away.
There are all sorts of reasons to be stunned and perplexed today. Stunned by the reintroduction of the fears and phobias of the 20th century into 21st-century international affairs. And perplexed by the explanations offered for Putin’s actions in Ukraine by the world’s best and brightest.
1. How Does the West Read Putin?
Here’s one explanation that has prompted many nods of approval: Putin isn’t quite in his right mind. As Madeleine Albright has said, “I think that either he does not have the facts, or he is being fed propaganda… It doesn’t make any sense… Putin is, in many ways, I think, delusional about this.”
And Brent Scowcroft: “He’s a person full of venom, because he thought that [the Soviet Union’s] collapse was taken advantage of by the West, or especially the U.S. to take advantage of Russia… now we’re strong again; you can’t push us around anymore…”
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My Comment: This is a long analysis and commentary .... and very thought provoking. I am still trying to digest certain parts of it .... and if you are someone interested in understanding Putin's strategic thinking .... this is probably a good article for you to start with.
1 comment:
Finally a piece that begins to look at this situation in a clear eyed manner. Don't know about the correctness of all of what was said, but it was the first time I've seen things needed to be said actually printed.
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