Book Talk: The Sources of Russian Aggression

[@Transcend680]

US: "No foreign power should get close to my backyard but I can station my military at your doorsteps" American arrogance is quite legendary.

[@gorillabiskut]

We learned it from the Brits

[@dsamh]

I'll give you one word to explain the failure of The West to incorporate the former Soviet Union into "the fold": Hubris.

[@chrisFg818]

An interesting verification of Walt's analysis. And a demolition of Former Ambassador McFaul's assertions of Russia's "unprovoked" intentions for its special military operation. Btw the population of Australia is about 27mn. This lower number doesn't change the argument.

[@laikakhan1313]

causal theories, facts, historicism are all great to assess Russia. But it is never ever complete to know a country if not simultaneously assessing the behavior of the country that's being aggressive to Russia. Why US is bent on being a hegemony in Europe and wishing its place in Russia? Is Russia's behavior a direct result of US behavior in Europe and n the globe. Is it NATO that is the issue or is it US?

[@yotoma]

Western analysts almost universally are unable to see the world in any way other than from their colonial hegemonic imperialist view.

[@RobPalmer454]

Great conversation!

[@kateporter5841]

All I know is that Foreign Affairs magazine recently had to correct an article, wherein it was stated that Putin said he wanted recreate the Soviet Union, because no one could actually find this supposed quote.

[@SR-lh4rm]

Imputing "motives" to a state is not a good way to understand state behavior. Even in cases where a motive seems obvious, different power structures within the state have different sub-motives and some of these contradict one another. A motive ceases to explain anything when it contradicts itself. States have objectives and imperatives, not motives. Russia's imperatives for security and commercial access to Europe outweigh all other factors in explaining its behavior.