Michael Kimmage - Putin's War in Ukraine Ushers in a New Age of Global Instability and Confrontation

In Collisions, Michael Kimmage, traces the origins of the Russia-Ukraine war. He unpicks the development of Ukraine and Russia's fractious relationship back to the end of the Cold War, through the central events that led to Vladimir Putin seizing Crimea in 2014 and, eight years later, initiating the most intensive and widescale military confrontation of the post-WWII era. This conflict ushers in a new age of global instability, and a collision between Russia and the Western alliance that is far hotter than confrontations during the Cold War.
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Michael Kimmage is a professor of history at the Catholic University of America. Michael is author of books and articles about international affairs, Soviet and Russian politics, and the European-American relationship. From 2014 to 2016, he served on the Secretary's Policy Planning Staff at the U.S. Department of State. He is a senior non-resident associate at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies.
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CHAPTERS:
00:01:55 The fractious relationship with Russia never really went away
00:04:21 External peace and internal Terror during the interwar period
00:07:18 Impact of Putin's speech at the 2007 Munich Security Conference
00:10:25 Were the signs of impending conflict accumulating in 2021?
00:14:36 Putin has used distraction and lying to fool West since 2014
00:16:57 The stages of Putinism with increasing internal repression
00:23:35 Grienance and victimhood that underpins Putin's worldview
00:29:24 The European contradiction - wealth but low defence investment
00:32:04 Lack of strategy and a concept of victory among the allies
00:34:29 Is there a chance in Europe's attitude to the war and Ukraine
00:40:05 Is 'Bidenism' just as risky for Ukraine as 'Trumpism'?
00:43:44 Is there a problem in Washington with the idea of taking Crimea?
00:49:35 Are we paying too little attention to weakness in Russian economy?
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LINKS:
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www.csis.org/people/michael-k...
www.wilsoncenter.org/person/m...
history.catholic.edu/faculty-...
global.oup.com/academic/produ...
www.gmfus.org/find-experts/mi...
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ARTICLES:
www.foreignaffairs.com/author...
www.americanpurpose.com/autho...
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BOOKS:
Collisions: The Origins of the War in Ukraine and the New Global Instability (2024)
The Abandonment of the West: The History of an Idea in American Foreign Policy (2020)
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LINKS:
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warsawsecurityforum.org/speak...
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TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:
Save Ukraine
www.saveukraineua.org/
Superhumans - Hospital for war traumas
superhumans.com/en/
UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukraine
unbroken.org.ua/
Come Back Alive
savelife.in.ua/en/
Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchen
wck.org/relief/activation-che...
UNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyy
u24.gov.ua/
Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation
prytulafoundation.org
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[@jason1440]

I've said this before but I'll say it again. We in the west have lived far too long in wishful thinking with Putin.

[@stephenhill545]

Appeasement is cheaper in the short-term.

[@Marcus_C51]

@@stephenhill545 Yet much more expensive in the long run. Appeasement with Putin has been foolish.

[@Marcus_C51]

People apparently still indulge in it and seem to think that Putin won't continue on through Europe if he is allowed to take Ukraine. That's why Ukraine is so important-it HAS to end there!

[@Aendavenau]

@@Marcus_C51 history might rhyme but Hitler didnt have nukes :/ If he had he would have nuked us all. Putin is Hitler with nukes.

[@ekesandras1481]

It is time to think about unorthodox measures to end this. The West has Novichok too.

[@user-im3ln3lr1l]

How much longer are we going to let ourselves be deceived and intimidated by Putin?

[@rdallas81]

I love Putin. Can't stand US politics and policies. Constantly war. Always war! I am a US citizen btw with many family members in Army, airforce

[@petergreenwood7731]

How much longer can the west ignore Russia's security concerns? No NATO in Ukraine

[@user-gx7pc3yc3n]

@@rdallas81 you are not

[@NewOrleansSeptember]

It's not Russian aggression. It's NATO aggression.

[@aleksbakman7562]

Had not it been for NATO Putin would have swallowed the entire Eastern Europe by now. You believe stupid propaganda

[@user-ni3cg6me3u]

No war has ever been won without attacking the aggressor. And if Crimea is not liberated Ukraine will always be economically handicapped.

[@davidknapp5403]

I agree. For me it's obvious what Putins real motive is. And it's clear when you see what the Soroveekin line is defending. a. The Dumbas Oil field. b. Sakarya gas field.(Black Sea)

[@MsGrandcoquin]

Crimea is Ukraine

[@user-ph5ys7ed7i]

🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦 The fact Ukraine has not taken delivery of much aid these past three months yet Russia's full 24/7 war economy is still only able to move slowly is astounding. The resistance of Ukraine is beyond belief. It cannot however last forever without scaling of European assistance and hopefully more American aid packages. This is borrowed time, but what it should demonstrate is that if the West shifts its weight enough to lean on the scales harder than it has before Russia can definitely lose this war. For now it is still up to the West, although the clock is ticking.

[@mattsapero1896]

You were caught off guard since WW2 ended over 75 years ago. Everyone has warned us not to forget the lessons of WW2 ever since and yet the world’s democratic leaders still failed to recognize the full danger of the Russian threat. Great job, guys.

[@retorenfer8702]

You are absolutely right!!! This is soooo shameful of our leaders, 0 historic understanding!!!

[@MadDog-1961]

WW2 didn't end! At least not in the European theater. It was put on pause (cold war) remember. All allied leaders knew this at the time! The time has come to finish what was started over 75 years ago. Europe has become complacent to this reality hiding under my US defense umbrella. At least they have started moving towards fixing their own umbrella.

[@user-th4qx1sk3o]

In our sort of democracy, there is never a lacking wish from the population of another subsidy, entitlement, expenditure, which competes with increased defence spendings: "So what would you like to have, increased paid maternity leave for men and women - or increased production of 155 mm shells?" It you are the deciding politician, it requires guts to say "I go with the shells'. It may be your last decision as a elected politician.

[@MadDog-1961]

@@user-th4qx1sk3o "I go with the shells'. It may be your last decision as a country! Without security there is no need for maternity leave.

[@rdallas81]

What about the western threat? I mean for God's sake just look what the USA done all over the world! Constantly at war

[@j.dunlop8295]

Thanks seriously, it's deeply important work keeping dialogue ope6and ongoing, to motivate a free democracy! Everywhere!🇺🇦💙

[@j.dunlop8295]

Keeping informed, and supporting Ukraine, Slava-UA 🇺🇦

[@blackberrythorns]

the united states should try to become a democracy.

[@j.dunlop8295]

Blackberry is a symbol for death, pain, remorse, grief, and lowliness ! Interesting choice, tag for Russian troll?😅

[@LisaNH934]

​@@blackberrythornstroll harder - you're boring us 🥱 Spasiba

[@blackberrythorns]

@@LisaNH934 Western WAR PROPAGANDA Makes Peace in Ukraine Impossible | Dr. Ulrike Guérot (Part 2)

[@ActFast]

Kimmage is one of the deepest thinkers on Ukraine 🇺🇦/Russia 🇷🇺. “Collisions” just came out but I’ve already enjoyed it thoroughly. Highly recommended.

[@blackberrythorns]

retired nato col. jacques baud has had a book published recently.

[@NewOrleansSeptember]

Total BS from this guy. Trump's first term produced no new wars. And especially no war in Europe. And he's the bad guy? LOL. CUCKOO FOR COCOA PUFFS.

[@FrankieFTW42]

Jake Sullivan ought to be replaced with Ret. Ltn. Gen. Ben Hodges!!!

[@marpro765]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@gmw3083]

America has been losing since Nam. Neither of them could alter the trajectory

[@PeterBakker]

Ben seems to be a war monger. He is promoting a clear Strategic goal. This should be defeat and conquer Russia. The West already has the objective of containment which is really succes full. Also the West pulling out of Russia is a very strong statement. Russia already lost.

[@user-ut6ji8my2h]

That will never happen with the democommies in charge.

[@user-ut6ji8my2h]

​​​@@gmw3083I am a Vietnam Veteran. We did not lose one single battle there. The fact is that we never should have been there in the first place. I consider Johnson the very worst, most corrupt person to ever occupy the white house. Kennedy wanted us out of SEA, so the MILITARY INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX had him assassinated to put Johnson in, then they faked the tonkin gulf incident. Ho Chi Minh was Vietnam's George Washington.

[@marisabenson1222]

“The best deterrent to aggression is the certainty that immediate and effective countermeasures will be taken against those who violate the peace…” “If the free nations do not stand together, they will fall one by one.” Dean Acheson, Secretary of State, 1949 proposed text of NATO treaty.

[@JH-pt6ih]

And the domino theory brought us the Vietnam War, coups in South America, a continued blockade of Cuba, ....

[@18_rabbit]

@@JH-pt6ih yes, but good reasons. And it's a red herring bcuz the context is then vs now, which are not comparable time frames. Ru is behaving like a throwback to times long long gone, of brutalist barbarism, including sadistic intentionally-done rape-murders, rapes in front of relatives, torture-rapes and casual murders and burning of bodies on sides of roads. We all saw it in real time: sorry ruskies, u r not gettin' away with ANYTHING this time, unlike in the distant past. Ru will be contained or there will be no world economy at all.

[@davidknapp5403]

I'm a Vietnam Vet. Don't ever tell a Vietnam Vet we were a waist of time and effort. A display of courage is never a waist. Just because it's not your experience. Don't project your character defect upon honorable actions taken by self-sacrificing men.

[@JH-pt6ih]

@@davidknapp5403 Who are you commenting to?

[@migproductions4045]

Another deep and insightful segment! Fascinating content and responses..xxx

[@davidgraham4807]

Where do you find all these wonderful guests. Agree or disagree your speakers are insightful. Thanks

[@DarkestAlice]

Thank you, Jonathan, for your conversation with Michael Kimmage. 🇺🇦 Перемоги і миру всім українцям! 🇺🇦

[@alex990ism]

this channel is getting better and better

[@Newsopathy-gf2ug]

This guy is an absolute fund of important strategic information about the conflict. A real find, well done! The more you watch this programme the more thought provoking and perspective-improving it becomes.

[@seejaybee]

We need to generalize the concept of 'enemy within' to 'enemy apparent' to cover both the motivations of both Hitler and Putin

[@dr.williams5251]

Excellent article ! The endless russian wars didn't start with vladolf putler. East / West relations may have been peaceful in the 90s, not so much for former republics. This is where russia was murdering civilians before putler: 1991-1993 1st Georgia War 1991-1992 South Ossetia War 1992-1993 Abkhazia War 1992 - Transnistria War 1992-1997 Tajikistani War 1994-1996 1st Chechen War 1997 - Moldova War 1999 - Dagestan War 1999-2009 2nd Chechen War

[@jeffperteet2327]

Saying Trump would change his tune is like not listening to Putin back in 2008, ridiculous especially expdcting a core coward such as him to face the heat where there is an involved war with Russia. You should never repeat stupidity like that.

[@TKMcClone]

I think the divisive turmoil that Trump would cause within the US is a larger problem for democracies than foreign policy. No matter how he handles support for Ukraine, he can still do the most damage at home.

[@georgek1234]

Arguably the damage began with T's election in 2016 and continued thru to Jan 6th attempted coup and continues to this very day with all the delayed justice and BS rhetoric.

[@3029dz]

Well this about the dumbest thing I have read in a while. Have you signed up to join the Ukraine effort ? Why is it always that the Leftist clamor to war the most and are actually willing the least?

[@NewOrleansSeptember]

Trump's first term produced no new wars. And especially no war in Europe. And he's the bad guy? LOL. CUCKOO FOR COCOA PUFFS.

[@barrylane4164]

Excellent interview. Balanced and revealing answers on Kimmage's part! Thank You so much!!!

[@suethompson1736]

Bravo to both! ❤❤❤❤

[@andrewdesroches8669]

THANKS TO SILICON CURTAIN FOR GREAT TALKS AND INFORMATION.

[@suewilkinson910]

Fabulous guest! I could have listened to him for twice as long. You must get him back. I have learned so much from your channel. Brilliant work. You and Konstantin's Inside Russia are invaluable. The thought of us all having to live with on-going Putinism even after he's shuffled off is a deeply unpleasant situation. I hope he's wrong on that point. But with no internal opposition allowed, I can't see that he will be wrong. The death of Navalny was indeed a great tragedy for the Western world as well as for Russia and it's neighbours.

[@18_rabbit]

precisely! And ppl like me who wend to the top premier international politics uni's & programs are fairly certain that P's successor will be same or worse. These are the ONLY highly skilled info-wars manipulators on the planet, and it's time to curb them, before the nightmare of longterm aggression comes to fruition as they get a foothold!

[@nomcognom2414]

Our project of the future should be building western democracy. This should have been our project since, at the very least, 1989 (when Berlin's Wall and the Iron Curtain fell). The USSR was collapsing, defeated, and had enough trouble navigating its unravelling for us to keep our foot on the brake. Our problem was that, not only did we put a brake on democracy since the 60's, but we also underwent a reactionary "neoliberal"/"neocon" global movement, powered by media owners such as Murdoch. They even called Thacherism and Reaganism a "revolution". It was a disaster in the longer term, as it really determined political and socio-economic dynamics over the next decades. Under this program, western citizens grew ever more unequal, disempowered, uneducated, poor, frustrated, confused, and angry. People will then say that "democracy" doesn't work... Where were the intellectual, political and social leaders to clarify it is too LITTLE democracy, not too much, which didn't work? Our democratic dream is fast approaching a critical situation, in danger of throwing us all back to an unenlightened version of the 18th century. We are going back to some cheesy but still poisonous, lethal version, of the 17th century. Unless we are going back to the Roman or Carolingian world collapses. We are chin-deep already into darkness. Oh, and let's not underestimate antiwesternism in India, South Africa, Brazil, etc., please. It is very widespread and strong. There's a lot of deep-seated resentment and hatred. Extremely biased and unfair, far beyond non Eurocentric historical critique. We are doomed unless we start acknowledging our big democratic deficit and start fighting for democracy, both at home and abroad.

[@petemorton8403]

Western citizens grew poor. Yep, amazingly hard it has been.

[@nomcognom2414]

@@petemorton8403 , there's always been poverty in the West, and all sorts of human misery. In the West as everywhere else. Since 1970, inequality in the West, as well as purchasing power, have declined. More people in the West are relatively poor than there used to be, and the average citizen has been getting relatively poorer as well. Talk of middle classes pauperization is not fiction. And people, whether they are old enough to remember, or their children, have been growing correspondingly frustrated, anxious, impatient, and erratic in their political response to life experience. Hence, the rise of opportunistic, demagogic, populist authoritarians. Unless we address that, we are going to spiral down into a very ugly and painful mess. An irretrievable one, as far as human civilization is concerned. Because this planet cannot go through a repeat, fossil fuel-based, tech boom cycle. We had one round and spent it. We also had one biosphere and... It is rare for any species to survive from one biosphere into the next. Ours was 66 million years in the making. We know of only half a dozen biospheres in almost 5 billion years. Humans have gone through numerous civilization collapses which were always regional, never global. We are facing a global one. If you want to increase our small chance to avoid irretrievable collapse, or want to make our fall less painful, you better fight for democracy. It is only real citizens, in real democracies, who will really engage reality, caring to learn the truth and take responsibility for things. It is only real citizens, not nominal ones, who can truly decide their own collective fate, who will be ready to make decisions to sacrifice certain things for the sake of sustainable living standards. Nominal democracy doesn't bring real change when needed, not even when a majority of people actually want it. Most people want a healthy environment, less inequality, etc., and yet, see how things evolved over the last decades. Authoritarianism is even worse than nominal democracy. It brings disaster faster. Therefore, see want you want, but if you want a better chance of survival for our global society, fight for education and democracy. Everywhere. And by fight I mean fight.

[@user-fz7zt6cw6f]

Will Denmark be doing anything about the grey fleet transporting Russian oil across the Danish Straits? European laws require western insurance for ships and if there is a legitimate threat to the environment they could check the vessels . A great deal of Russian oil shipped through the Baltic Sea crosses the Danish Straits.

[@stmaui6973]

Another fantastic speaker, a very knowledgeable person on Russia. A big picture look at Russian aggression.

[@theresamcpherson7352]

I learn so much from this show, thank you both!

[@PeanutsDadForever]

Thanks for another great video!🇦🇺👴🏻

[@artn2950]

How can 1 person wield this much disastrous events!!! Can nothing stop him???

[@CarolynAcosta-mw2dl]

Thanks for another great interview

[@agustinussiahaan6669]

Thanks, everyone who involved in this great work.

[@user-im3ln3lr1l]

Excellent interview as always. Thankyou.

[@Martin-mc6hr]

An excellent discussion, thank you. 🇺🇦🇦🇺

[@johnwalsh4857]

Yes and what is also astounding is how the Russian military really poorly performed beyond the expectations of military analysts.

[@j.dunlop8295]

Army Sergei Shoigu

[@efanshel]

So much of Russia's military budget has been stolen....

[@maxb893]

😂wh

[@johnwalsh4857]

@@j.dunlop8295moist of the Russian offiers performed like shit, the competent ones like Surovikin got kicked out. Heck its so bad even Prigozhin who does not really have military experience was a better general(more like better manager) than most of the Russian army generals its that bad.

[@gaelank-rs4ot]

Johnathan. This guest is rad!

[@JH-pt6ih]

Rad? Are you from the 80s?

[@mike4480]

Very interesting video and so informative…Thanks Johnathan and the Team …💙💛💙

[@gaelank-rs4ot]

1979

[@bobjohnbowles]

Interesting conversation bringing up some useful perspectives.

[@retorenfer8702]

Useful perspectives Essentially this guy says: “Uhhhh the west can do nothing, we have to live with some more Putinism”. That’s not what I call useful perspectives. The reality is, the western deterrence failed, before the war and now during the war! Especially the nations who sat on the table of the Budapest Memorandum totally failed in preventing this war. What could have been done? Well, these nations could for example have stationed troops in Ukraine during the Russian military build up in the winter months of 21/22. I am absolutely convinced, that if even only one western Air Force plane would have been stationed on a Airfield in Ukraine, Russia would not have dared to attack. What happened instead, America withdrew there command ship USS Mount Whitney (Flag ship of the sixth fleet) from the Black Sea in order not to intimidate Putin! What a political miscalculation!

[@bobjohnbowles]

@@retorenfer8702 Regarding your first paragraph, either you just can't spell, or you have completely misunderstood my comment. Regarding your second paragraph, it is useless to speculate on what might have been. And the wisdom of hindsight is always perfect.

[@retorenfer8702]

Yep, Bob you are right, I meant of course perspectives. It’s now corrected. My error, sorry. My comment was by the way not meant to attack you. However, I strongly believe that more could have been done by the western countries who signed the Budapest Memorandum to prevent this war. There strategy of deterrence totally failed and Ukrainians are now suffering!

[@bobjohnbowles]

@@retorenfer8702 I do agree with you, but it is important to stay positive. We can't undo the past, but we can find opportunities in the present, and this is why I feel good about this talk, because it offers another way of looking at things. No hard feelings about ranting, I do that plenty myself!

[@18_rabbit]

@@retorenfer8702 some great points! Of course it's speculative to know what Ru would have done if some western assets were on the ground, or if Mt Whitney had stayed in place. Keep in mind we do not know why Whitney was removed, for all we know it's such a vital ship that its loss was not permissable by the US. So it's important to keep our speculations in perspective, ie they are merely speculations. BUT overall i entirely aggree, i also thought that a coalition of the willing should have either stationed assets and troops in or near Ukr, so as to at least defend most of the country (!! , ie just in case the 200K ru's would spread thin and try for Kiev, which they did!!!), or at bare minimum Biden should never have specified anything like he did when he said something to effect of 'it depends exactly what Ru does, ie how large an invasion they do." U never....EVER..>EVER..EVER say what u wn't do in particular detailed situations when an aggressive country is mounting an apparent invasion. Either Biden made a mistake verbally in that moment, or his advisors are incompetent. And i'm a yank who has studied deeply about incompetence.

[@remcoraven8569]

Thanks sir 🫡🇳🇱🇺🇦🐺

[@garyoconnor6131]

Fascinating interview. Making great waves in this sphere. Deserving of your impending growth as a channel.

[@conaccento]

Great discussion, thank you.

[@maloryjhin9255]

Thanks

[@Sylvie_M]

I find the difference in thinking between military minds as Gen. Breedlove and others and the policy wonks such as this fellow astoundingly different. No wonder the destruction of Ukraine has gone on so long and will go longer. Slava Ukraini.

[@retorenfer8702]

Very well said! I agree with you 200%!!!

[@gmw3083]

Slava destruction, then?

[@rdallas81]

If the CIA wasn't bumbling in Ukraine there'd be no war in Ukraine. Blame the USA

[@elliskaranikolaou2550]

Subscribed. Thanks.

[@robertclare6915]

Fantastic insight into the Ukraine conflict

[@RobertOlofsson73]

As always, great! I think you ask the rigth questions. And great guests. Maybe more military guests, if possible? Thank you.

[@blackberrythorns]

col. lawrence wilkerson, col. douglas macgregor, col. daniel davis...

[@LisaNH934]

​@@blackberrythornsthe mickey mouse club ?!? 😂 no he means real military!

[@philiphartley8823]

Good listening from two knowledgable people

[@peti5353]

Fascinating! Thank you.

[@andreabocchi6676]

Honestly I liked much more Jonathan's questions than his guest's answers. He is the incarnation of the passive, defeatist, spineless and unsuccessful policy kept until now by the western leaders towards Russia in the Ukrainian war. If we keep saying that Ukraine has already won enough, that we did enough to help it against Russia, that our conduct in this conflict has been successful and that Russia cannot be pushed away from all the Ukrainian territories we really risk to totally lose this damned war and to face in the next future an other Russian invasion on the Baltics or on Poland. It's time to wake up and help Ukraine to win this war, not simply to help it not to lose to much! Nato economy is 20 times Russia's economy, NATO population is 8 times Russia's population, our war technology is more advanced, our combined armies are larger and stronger. Therefore how can we possibly be so passive and coward ?

[@deanejoyce5393]

Passivity and cowardliness might be more accurately defined as “lack of skills that require imagination”… being skills anyone can learn them and master them. The easiest way to practice this skill set is simply to practice “ doing the right thing” as opposed to what people seem to be used to doing, which is “ doing things right “… Western society has become too focused on teaching “ do things right” skills ( managing) with hardly any emphasis on “ do the right thing” skills ( leadership)… Even our friend, General Hodges cites “ wars are won with logistics, logistics, logistics “… this is doing things right-skills not leader-skills… The secret might be having a balance, as they seem to be equally important. An example of this balance might be Ukrainian Civil Society, where their resilience and ability to carry on in the face of extreme adversity knows no parallels in the modern world. It is simply extraordinary. They are simply, “ in action”, creating ideas that has them in action, rather than frozen. This action in adversity occurs for us as “bravery” and “ courage”… and maybe that is what bravery really is…. Having the imagination and creativity to come up with ideas that has you moving, instead of being stopped… Leader-skills

[@seangriffin9219]

Fascinating interview again... thank you

[@louisnaidu9140]

Fantastic interview.

[@kev_sen]

Great as always.

[@Gnaeus155]

I disagree, all of Russian troops will have to be removed from Ukraine. Equally by saying Russia and not Russia China North Korea and Iran, one seriously understates the situation and threat. The run-up to the war though what's helpful information

[@Paraiso001]

Yes - A super interview with someone with great a background and insight. I find the deeper dive interviews that you do Jonathan allow me to see the bigger picture and the longer history. Cynically I still think that the US is letting Ukraine fight this war with one arm behind its back knowing that the attrition of Russian forces will diminish them for a long time yo come

[@dougmoore8314]

Thank you for this.

[@victoriahigman6802]

A brilliant speaker. Thanks

[@marisabenson1222]

No I disagree with him on where lines must be in Ukraine. I also think saying that troops on the ground in Ukraine from other nations is "science fiction " (or did he say NATO troops) is also an unhelpful thing to say and not as far fetched as he suggests.

[@retorenfer8702]

Yep, you are right in every aspect!

[@user-mn8re8jp7v]

Talking!…Talking!…Taking will not help Europe to survive TODAY!!!…😢…Only ACTIONS WILL!!!…But we can see the WEST IS NOT GOING TO MOVE FAST ENOUGH TO SAVE UKRAINE AND ITSELF!🥲🥲🥲🥲

[@ItsMe_Hello_People]

Thank you!

[@johnwalsh4857]

I dont think NATO will need to build their militaries to the levels of the cold war. Well Ukraine is really weakening the Russian military to the point that if Russia loses this war, then the Russian military threat will be removed(probably replaced by a refugee or criminal threat) and NATO would have fullfilled what it was created for. So NATO has to really support Ukraine so Russia does not win this war.

[@blackberrythorns]

the war is already lost, only a fool can't see that by now.

[@blackberrythorns]

too late.

[@johnwalsh4857]

@@blackberrythorns too late for Russia .

[@blackberrythorns]

@@johnwalsh4857 lol, you wish. one side is collapsing as we speak and it's not the ruskies.

[@blackberrythorns]

@@johnwalsh4857 you wish. aren't you watching the panic among western elites?

[@luminyam6145]

That was a great interview, thank you.

[@user-wy8nm6ms4v]

Very insightful - thank you 👍

[@sailawayteam]

What a great discussion, and as you said Jonathan, one which brought up new perspectives to this matter. I hope these can be discussed further in future episodes!

[@tabithan2978]

Another fine interview! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@laurie9557]

Let's all ask our politicians to urge Biden to replace Jake Sullivan with Ben Hodges. The counter-offensive failed because we sent zero warplanes, vastly insufficient air defense, and too little of everything else. Sullivan then uses this failure as an excuse to stop all weapons deliveries in October 2023.

[@laurie9557]

Lots and lots of trolls here. Jonathan, they must fear your interviews of interesting guests, which makes you a great success.

[@renatob9909]

Thank you for bringing great guests

[@markb8468]

That was a particularly insightful interview. Great questions and great answers. Thanks

[@follow_the-truth]

Thanks for having this great speakers in all your videos, although the topic about terror state russia and dictator putin is terrible.

[@hhumh6911]

wish this conversation was longer for at least an hour or two! appreciate your content a ton.

[@itaiberger7366]

Interesting discussion. Good points.

[@oscarmora4602]

Informative

[@markoleary1601]

Excellent, Mick,very informative!

[@factabulous]

As every a very good interview. My reading list keeps on growing!

[@deanejoyce5393]

Great Interview. Speaking to experts. I think you guys should collaborate on a book of your own. Fascinating interview.

[@davidangeron3365]

Hve the Czars, The Soviets or the Russians, ever, ever, ever invented a Household Appliance??? Yes, we know about Nukes, Tanks, Aircraft, Speceships!!! But, what did you EVER invent for a Kitchen Counter???

[@SelfieKumarJi]

Russian salad dressing.

[@LisaNH934]

​@@SelfieKumarJiInvented New Hampshire USA 🇺🇲 ironically the "Live Free or Die" state 👍

[@user-pf5wc7oc4g]

Very insightful, thank you.

[@gillydior]

🇬🇧❤🇺🇦

[@wilesdukedubose4431]

Thank you, Interesting conversation. Maybe consider the Russo/Japan War at the Turn of Century, as well. Seems that Russia has been a "sore loser" for along time. There's 11 Time Zones in Greater Russia, yet they seem to want more "time" to rule the world. God bless Jimmy Carter

[@blackberrythorns]

full spectrum dominance, unipolar world order, one world trade centre, non-binary sexuality, transhumanism and the singularity. russia says hesychasm!

[@blackberrythorns]

bye-bye unipolar world order. the empire is collapsing.

[@sneakerset]

To their credit, Japan didn't shake down Russian merchant shipping along the North Pacific up to Aug. 1945. The Emperor was shocked when Russia invaded the Kuril Islands. The US supplied the shore vessels- around 150 various types, and the Russians lost 5 LCIs on their opening moves. Real messy with the typical meat wave attacks even after the surrender was broadcast over NHK (Tokyo).

[@kyttraus]

Very good interview

[@18_rabbit]

bravo!

[@artmcteagle]

Excellent interview Johnathan, glad you touched the issue of Russian complicity with Michael Kimmage, this does not bode well. The reinvigoration of the Weimar Triangle has help soothed Berlin-Paris discord, Tusk is gently encouraging Scholz to acquire some courage. Regarding the general impact of the war on Russia, Joe Blogs and Konstantin Somoilov provide good information.

[@andyreznick]

Gentlemen, good talk.

[@WillAllen22]

Good video

[@WalterBurton]

Starting at ~13:09, so much yes. It had oceanic force, that shared sentiment. It was difficult to escape that illusion for all but---. At any rate, it's good to here people remind us of that.

[@michaelkowis]

That was great. We don't get a lot of the Catholic Democrat point of view in Arkansas.

[@user-ut6ji8my2h]

As a student of history, I am constantly amazed at how people are amazed when an autocratic leader does exactly what he says he is going to do, then nobody can seem to believe it.

[@msvergara]

thanks

[@16252]

interesting, thanks

[@m.walther6434]

The first war of conquest of the UdSSR, after the civil war, has been the Winter War between Finnland and Russia of 30. November 1939.

[@sumiland6445]

💛💙💜💙💛 long day, but I'm here, listening uninterrupted 😊 🇺🇦 🌏 🇺🇸

[@sumiland6445]

Listening again. 😊

[@user-th4qx1sk3o]

I have since the war began, been re-listening to what he said in the 2007 Munich security conference. Yes, he makes complaints, but I can not hear he says, what he wants us to do? He never said "we should do this and that". He complained, and thats all.

[@jameskellogg83]

I believe that the error that NATO has made with Russia in regard to Ukraine, has been in not being anywhere near aggressive enough. I believe that deterrence is very important. I think that great efforts should be made to either stop bad things from happening or to stop them from getting worse. I think that a major motivator for Putin's actions in regard to Ukraine starting with the 2014 invasion and annexation of Crimea, has been his belief that the West is indecisive and scared and that he could get away with doing pretty much anything that he wanted to. I believe that the primary reason for the inadequate reaction of NATO has been fear of a nuclear conflict. Basically, I believe that through nonsensical bluffs and the West's own independent fear, Putin and his cronies have succeeded in cowing the NATO alliance into allowing Russia to seize Crimea in 2014 and begin a new invasion in 2022 that could result in Ukraine's eventual defeat. I think that the chances of Russia's using nuclear weapons in Ukraine is miniscule at best. If Putin/Russia used nuclear weapons, I am sure they realize that they could easily be "signing their own death warrant" which I very much doubt they have much interest in doing. I strongly believe that corrupt government officials and oligarchs who spend billions of dollars of stolen money on colossal yachts and mansions have very little interest in committing suicide in attempts to keep stolen lands in Ukraine. People who are very interested in worldly goods of great luxury, are expressing a strong desire to go on living. When Russia seized Crimea in 2014, I believe that the U.S. and the rest of NATO should have told Putin in "no uncertain terms", that if Russian forces did not immediately leave Crimea, they would send their military into Crimea and destroy the Russian forces that were present there. If Russia had not complied with that demand, then NATO should have made that threat a reality. These actions almost surely would have prevented the 2022 Ukraine war from happening and could have saved hundreds of thousands of Ukranian lives. In 2022 when U.S. intelligence predicted that Russia was about to invade Ukraine, the U.S. and the rest of NATO should have warned Putin/Russia, that if they go ahead with their invasion, then the combined NATO forces would enter Ukraine and destroy the Russian military that was present. Again, I think that that this action could have very possibly stopped the Russian invasion before it happened. I still believe that the U.S. and the rest of NATO should take direct and aggressive action now in the war in Ukraine. I believe that the combined NATO forces should send a very large military force into Ukraine and destroy the Russian military that is present there. Russia is no longer a super-power and has not been one since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Russia has demonstrated in Ukraine for all to see, that it does not have a great military. The Russians are well aware that they cannot successfully stand up to the U.S. alone or to the combined forces of NATO. The only real danger that Russia presents is a large nuclear arsenal that I would strongly suggest that they dare not use. Confronting Russia on a Ukrainian battlefield would in fact not create "World War III". - This is a myth. The 32 countries that make up NATO versus Russian forces that are present in Ukraine, is not a World War. It is the total destruction of those Russian forces that have invaded Ukraine. NATO needs to "grow a backbone". China, North Korea and Iran are not sending armies to Ukraine to fight "shoulder to shoulder" with Russia. - This is not going to happen. This threat of World War III is little more than nonsense that Russia would dearly love for the West to believe. Russia should be forced to give back to Ukraine, every inch of land that they have illegally seized including Crimea. After all Ukrainian lands have been returned, Russia should be compelled to pay backbreaking reparations to rebuild all of Ukraine that they have destroyed. A stern message needs to be sent to all aggressor nations that all they will receive for their actions is military defeat, isolation and economic collapse.

[@5ty717]

Genius.

[@hififlipper]

More people should watch Silicon Curtain.

[@piseag458]

Interesting talk,i liked the colourful picture in background.Michael doesn't sound too optimistic about how and when Russian empire will break up,war continuing in Ukraine does help cement Putinism with the population.

[@h.e.hazelhorst9838]

I think that losing Crimea would cost Putin his position (and possibly his life in the wake of it ), and that whoever takes over control of the Kremlin would pull back the forces from Ukraine, leading to defeat comparable to the one in Afghanistan. It’s been done before!

[@StPiter111]

You're defenetly can make careers in ASMR. I almost got sleep under your voices😅😅😅😅

[@mikemiura7740]

The world never, never thought that a global trading partner like Russia would turn its back on all of us. Shame on bully Russia.

[@LisaNH934]

🇺🇦🇺🇦 Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦🇺🇦

[@davidangeron3365]

#SiliconCurtain, please review your Audio Levels before transmission!!! Thank You!!!

[@L.h314]

You may agree with me that this planet is a hell. I will name it Crematoria.

[@WalterBurton]

👍👍👍

[@walkish]

I appreciate different perspectives like these you share that do challenge the pro-Ukrainian consensus. Specifically, that it is a cynical lack of support from the Biden administation rather than a misprognostication ... i.e. an error in projection of the future course and their ability to adjust.

[@artmcteagle]

Instead of 'for as long as it takes' to 'we will help Ukraine win.'