Nuclear Crisis: How America Lost Post-Soviet Russia | Stephen Cohen

In this week’s episode of Hidden Forces, Demetri Kofinas speaks with Stephen Cohen, professor emeritus of Politics at Princeton University and of Russian Studies and History at NYU. Dr. Cohen has received several scholarly honors over his lengthy career, including two Guggenheim fellowships and a National Book Award nomination, and was, for many years, a consultant and on-air commentator on Russian affairs for CBS News. Former CBS evening news anchor Dan Rather has referred to Stephen Cohen as “one of, if not the premier expert on the old Soviet Union, Russia, and Russian history in al of what we call Western civilization.”
We live in dangerous times, not only in international relations but also in domestic affairs. Russian fear-mongering and gratuitous insults leveled at Russian President, Vladimir Putin serve as powerful political litmus tests in contemporary America. Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, a presidential candidate for the Democratic party, was recently accused by former Secretary of State and two-time presidential candidate Hillary Clinton of being a “Russian Asset.” Meanwhile, Donald Trump is consistently chided for what his critics assert is “the conspicuous absence of any criticism of Vladimir Putin.”
In the years since Russia’s occupation and annexation of Crimea, Stephen Cohen has become, in the words of one writer, “the most controversial Russia expert in America.” He’s been openly critical of NATO expansion since the idea was first proposed in the early-to-mid 90’s, and though this criticism puts him in good company, his views on Ukraine and what he sees as America’s role in inciting Russian aggression have left him marginalized and often times disparaged as a “Russian apologist.”
Nonetheless, it is Stephen Cohen’s contention that American is now dangerously close to “War with Russia,” the title that he has chosen for his most recent book, which consists of a series of commentaries on current affairs originally published at The Nation Magazine. He views American foreign policy towards the post-Soviet Union as not only needlessly antagonistic but recklessly endangering of American national security, putting us at the greatest risk of nuclear war since the Cuban Missile Crisis.
You can access this week’s overtime segment (an early release of Demetri’s conversation with physicist Sean Carroll), transcript, and rundown through the Hidden Forces Patreon Page. All subscribers also gain access to our overtime RSS feed, which can be easily be added to your favorite podcast application.
Producer & Host: Demetri Kofinas
Editor & Engineer: Stylianos Nicolaou
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[@mnet1514]

Here we are now... RIP, Professor Cohen😔. Your voice is greatly missed, especially now...

Stephen Cohen - what a scholar and a hero. Love him!

[@coolchannelnumber1]

RIP Stephen, hopefully someone fills your legacy of promoting better relations between the two nuclear superpowers of the world. You were a brave, brave man.

[@jamesburke9865]

RIP Professor Cohen, you helped me keep my head on straight during all the Russia hysteria.

[@MrRicardo11]

RIP Stephen you are sadly missed

[@evawind]

Thank you, Dr. Cohen. This is like a gulp of fresh air after the mainstream Amercian media reports on Russia. Thank you for an unbiased assessment of Russia-US relations.

[@andyjackson2901]

I really wish the interviewer would have stopped interrupting him.

[@MultiCarlos765]

Love listen Mr Cohen ,the Best Russian Afair expert ,We Will Miss HIM .R.I.P

[@pianoman9685]

We adored him only truth teller who knew all the truth regarding Russia and was aware of all the bullshit corporate media came up and still comes up with to this day. Love you Stephen and always will place you in our hearts along with others I admire like Beethoven, Chopin, Rachmaninoff (being a pianist) you spoke truth as music does and beautifully and eloquently. We will miss you so very much. All I can think of is the the great Rückert leader of Mahler: Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen and whom I quoted when the Great Jessye Norman died says something like this:" now rest in a quiet realm! I live alone in my heaven, In my love, in my song! Like all great peaple who made the world a greater place, you are there now in that world. I give such condolences and sympathy to all your family and dear friends. You influenced us who knew everything you stood for and tried to explain to the ignorant corporate media who cared more about advertising than truth, and how they seemed to dismiss so many times what you so heartfully and truthfully expressed is shameful. We love you.

[@tyn6211]

God, I wish I was familiar with all this during RussiaGate and the impeachment.

[@Zingalamadumi]

R.I.P Professor, We will always remember your intellect on Russian history and Cold War

[@ad5792]

Great video, thank you! Funny, I noticed that even Stephen Cohen refers to this days Russia as "Soviet". I am sure it is just a mistake, but quite telling. You can get "Soviet" out of Russia, but it is probably more difficult to get "Soviet" out of Americans, especially that generation.

[@Curse44]

In his case I am pretty sure it is because he is like 300 years old.

[@goedeck1]

A great man.

[@johoward2251]

13:35 “Speaks to the power of the market” hey Steve 😉 the masters we serve

[@ZidaneKuja]

R.I.P. Stephen F. Cohen. You will be missed. Your debunking of establishment consensus was a very valued skill that's all 2 rare these days. I learned a lot from you, especially on Russia and Russian history. We will carry on your legacy. Let's make Steve proud. Let's fight for peace between Russia and the USA

[@lutherblissett9070]

Salute to a real one. R.I.P Professor.

[@pimpcarlo7472]

HeExplained why is Russia reacting.

[@pimpcarlo7472]

@@KhuKuRiKhuKhuKuRiKhu 🥲

[@vitan8994]

Is he in good health? I see some news about him?

[@anastasiahey2327]

United States looted Russia in the 90s, Putin kinda slowed down this looting, may be this is one of the reasons why

[@lawrencekhlinovskirockhill6916]

Stephen F. Cohen is the greatest Russian and Soviet Scholar of the Post Soviet Era. A great loss to a realistic understanding of the history of the Soviet Union and Russia. Stephen F. Cohen was there and knew Russia from personal experience. He was one of the few scholars that understood that the experiential background of the Russian people, especially related to the Great Patriotic War and beyond, is far different from the United States. This is critical for being able to work towards being able to improve our international relations. We must try to understand that the history of the Soviet Union and Russia is so very different from our own.

[@user-yg9sl1hj5m]

He was a great scholar. We will miss him.

[@philosophe5319]

Dimitri, you need to hear this. You need to let your guests talk longer. I don’t care what you’re saying at 27:32. No one does. Stop talking and ask him good questions.

[@philosophe5319]

Again, at 32:00 you failed to ask a concise question. You need to stop and let the person talk. This is a terrible showing. Bad interview.

[@philosophe5319]

Again at 39:34. Dimitri, you legitimately are doing a very very poor job.

[@jacobhultberg8596]

I agree with you sometimes Dimitri talks too much but be more respectful, he has an amazing show and that is no accident. I dont see you doing anything nearly as interesting so loosen you panties. Dimitri, slightly agree but you are awesome so please continue. And honestly, I dont think you should change at all. Be yourself thats what makes this show great, we just have to accept peoples styles. YOU CANT PLEASE EVERYONE!

[@jacobhultberg8596]

So bro, youve been making videos 2 years and have 5 up. Absolute shit effort and editing. Your voice sucks your lighting sucks and it doesnt even look like you shave. Sit down shut up and hone your craft until you can contribute or get something interesting to talk about. Ill take Hidden forces worst 5 minutes over your best 30 seconds.

[@jacobhultberg8596]

@@philosophe5319 nice name bro, did Kim Catral inspire you

[@frankyhonnolus5528]

The guy talks more than the professor. I hate talkers.

[@DUCKSAREEVILLLLLLLL]

He spoke Russian and was uniquely qualified to maintain peace with Russia. Lincoln would have made him ambassador to Russia because he was the most qualified. There should be a bridge across the Bering Strait by now, as Lincoln Republicans wanted.

[@iljastalberg5610]

What Russia have ? Land, lot of land that have a lot in that land

[@vitan8994]

A great person i wanted to meet him ones,my last respact for him🙏

[@Augalv]

R.I.P.

[@sandeepb4you]

The answer to your question " why Russia?" It's because America likes vassal.

[@olaf2627]

Dude, as regards your "why" question, it's not that hard. Russia has a geopolitical vision explicitely opposed to Western influence, and it's acting upon it: the attempt to assasinate the president of Montenegro, the massive cyber attack in Estonia in 2008, the cyber attack on French media and sowing division on US social media through troll farms, etc. I agree that NATO expansion and missile defense are the ultimate causes of the new Cold War, but it's not like Russia has done nothing to deserve fears about it's meddling in the West.

[@galileo_rs]

"the attempt to assasinate the president of Montenegro" :))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) You have no idea what you are talking about, a couple of people, one of them an unemplyed junky tried to assassinate Milo? How dumb is that?

[@kerier1911]

We will miss you... a cold headed historian... a big loss for the world...

[@ClearOutSamskaras]

The expression is "cool headed", not cold headed.

[@HoTrEtArDeDcHiXx]

Good intentions, perhaps. Poor powers of persuasion, however