The New U.S.-Russian Cold War-Who is to Blame? (5/15/18)

The Harriman Institute and New York University’s Jordan Center for the Advanced Study of Russia hosted a debate between Stephen F. Cohen (Professor Emeritus of Russian Studies at New York University and Professor Emeritus of Politics at Princeton University) and Michael McFaul (Professor, Department of Political Science, Stanford University.

[@drpedsen]

R.I.P. professor Cohen. Your amazing knowledge of history and geopolitics will be sorely missed. What a wonderful teacher!

[@ruslankbr5243]

Yes he is right. I think USA could not behave this way with Soviets because they were stronger than modern Russia. Any big country respects only equal this is true, just look at Germany who has no sovereign policy.

[@chegadesuade]

If this had three million views I'd had at least some hope for this generation. Excellent debate, I wish Stephen Cohen had more material on youtube.

[@genec390]

It is a pleasure to listen to Prof. Cohen, a true scholar. McFaul, not so much.

[@bestcongressmoneycanbuy9704]

Yup, Stanford University is full of anti Russian political hacks like McFaul. I've heard them referred to as Putin Whisperers.

[@Athenaikos]

McFaul is basically a clown.

[@jwgpc]

Interesting how McFaul completely dodges the question of NATO expansion up to the borders of Russia after U.S. president promised it wouldn't.

[@jwgpc]

McFaul says Obomber opposed regime changes: he should tell that to Ukrainians, Hondurans, Libyans.

[@ruslendingur]

"Assad must go" © one Nobel prize winner

[@polygamous1]

ops one Nobel Piss prize "winner" FA to be proud of about that

[@serkorz3823]

& that Putin does not want to bend over was, is a bad way for Russia. ( McFaul in his Reset comments: ) & ( the statement US had little to do with the Color revolutions > Victoria Nuland & Geoffrey Pyatt kzbin.info/www/bejne/eX3CeIaerqypadE ; Ha ha ha .....: What a liar McFaul is) .

[@ruslendingur]

Unfortunately Mcfaul is not a liar. Because a liar knows the truth - he just lies for own reasons. McFaul is an idiot who believes in what he is saying and as such he makes up his own "facts" and ignore the real ones. When people were burning "witches" they really believed they were doing a good thing for themselves and ... "witches".

[@danapeck5382]

"I had some friends at Google, we got it pulled down." (1:06) Interesting quote from an ambassador.

[@shaughnfourie304]

Iagree it is shocking

[@AluanHaddad]

Thank you for pointing this out.

[@catc8927]

He’s from Stanford, where Google was born. There’s a strong pipeline between those two institutions. Google site reliability engineers saved Obamacare’s healthcare.gov website rollout. I don’t find this shocking in the least.

[@Kavala76]

Shouldn't that be 1:06:00 ?

[@TheInstallations]

McFaul is definitely not an academic, but much more a mediocre high civil servant. He is also very post modern in his approach. He is here to sell his book, not to argue ideas. He is incapable of building a rhetorical argument, and of having any political vision or strong analytical intelligence. He is definitely not at the same level as Stephen F.Cohen. This is very alarming for the US, that people like him could have any power decision on Foreign Policy, and could explain the slow decline of the USA. Confronted to people like Putin who is obviously an Old fashion politician like de Gaulles or Churchill, the Cold War can only lead us to catastrophy.

[@alecfoster6653]

TheInstallations- That was a very intelligent post. And people like McFaul and Obama are no match in thought to a former KGB Colonel and patriot like Vladimir Putin. The fact the the corporate puke McFaul keeps saying "reset" shows you what a true idiot he is. That stationary store marketing prop foreign policy was a fantasy in the Obama administration's faculty lounge.

[@ottrovgeisha2150]

he is childish and has issues, that's actually the simple truth.

[@EastBurningRed]

I wholehearted agree, and unfortunately McFaul is still fanning the flames of war on MSNBC today, while Cohen is no longer with us. Another world war looks more likely every day now.

[@TheGoodChap]

I'm so glad people in the comments feel the same way as I do about this. Every time I hear Cohen speak it resonates with me, I've been somewhat obsessively researching and reading many books about Russian history, the soviet union's history and military history and follow modern foreign politics most heavily in those areas regarding Syria and Ukraine and Cohen is as far as I can tell basically dead on the money with everything he's ever said and is a crucial voice. I was interesting in hearing what McFaul had to say but was shocked what I heard it! There are many points I certainly disagree with him on and he seems to be very deeply entrenched in the US POV of foreign policy, the same kool-aid views so many are sucked into where they feel the US deserves to have everything and Russia nothing, and are completely incapable of understanding the slightest hypocrisy which drives Russia completely mad and frustrates them at every turn.

[@LabTech41]

As annoying and condescending as McFaul was, and as clearly on-board with the official agenda he clearly is to this day, it's good to get the contrast so that Cohen's position seems all the more credible, erudite, and sensible in contrast. The people who set these ultimately disastrous and self-serving agendas really do think we're stupid, given this is how they pander to us.

[@dug8377]

Considering how just about everyone has believed what the western media and establishment has said about the war in Ukraine, we really ARE as stupid as they think we are. Stupidity aside how many people in the west even bother to look at the opposition of our mad expansion into russias territory and affairs - virtually none.

[@LabTech41]

@@dug8377 I wouldn't take the goons who put the Ukrainian flag emojis everywhere as the gospel truth of the common man. I've seen polls where significant portions of the public don't want war with Russia, and while people in trouble always breeds sympathy, there's a lot of people who think what's going on over there is shady. Don't take the gullible but vocal minority as a testament.

[@vrfvfdcdvgtre2369]

Prof. McFaulT, a government paid expert?

[@fabinnocent7090]

Prof. Cohen was an honest peaceful Diplomat

[@bouji_]

It's because Stephen Cohen was never part of the government. It automatically makes him more credible because he doesn't have a dog in the fight. edit: 1:02:30 It's no wonder the Russian government doesn't trust the American one. 😂

[@sotir9299]

The moderation ruined this debate the most. When one guy speaks double his time, the least thing you can do is give that same ammount of extra time to the other guy. Also, when the other guy keeps jumping in, the least you can do is let the guy who was asked the original question the last word on it. We can see Cohen's dissapointment. It was on such a level that when the politician said "Latvia has the right to apply to join NATO", Cohen didn't even ruin him by saying "And Cuba decided to join the Soviet Union". He saw no point in saying it, and he routinely uses that example to destroy the "countries have the right to decide" narrative. As for the debate, this is a perfect example of a debate between an expert and a politician. You simply don't ask a politician to speak about the big picture, and you NEVER ask him to speak of the time period he was in office. Why? Because the main goal of a politician is to justify his actions(when ge was in office) and opinions(when he was not in office).

[@katrinavandenheuvel389]

Steve was a true intellectual - he also brought empathy and history to bear in his clear analysis - The attacks on him, someone who argued for diplomacy, dialogue, who opposed stereotypes and demonization, was a measure of an especially toxic time in our country. We are still at risk, and we need sanity and efforts to counter a new Cold War, with Russia and now China….

[@francoisjjoly]

Humm sure intelectual that is just what made us week and spineless but relaxed just wait soon we all going to feel what Ukraine is feeling now...

[@kevinbrown7171]

@@francoisjjoly Use a spell checker if you are unable to spell words.

[@kevinguerrero9596]

I'm so sorry for your loss ... blessings to you and your family.

[@Ephilates2024]

Your husband's analysis was wise, vital and it lives on. Frankly, this horrible war in Ukraine vindicates him. Please accept my condolences.

[@ovidiudraghici9941]

@@francoisjjoly What Kevin said, or even better, don't express yourself.

[@johntrep4504]

Obama "I don't believe in regime change." 😂😂😂😂

[@tashalorm4313]

The Author of the Arab Spring. that could be a good title book to explain Obama's administration downfall.

[@unifiedbehavioraltheory8390]

Professor Cohen, Mearsheimer, and Vladimir Pozner have been talking about this slow-motion train wreck engineered by the neocons and neoliberals for over a decade. I used to try to listen to him as often as possible in the John Bachelor Show on CBS radio. His analysis seemed extremely nonpartisan and very objective to me.

[@danapeck5382]

Batchelor's really diminished himself in Cohen's absence

[@ebflegg]

Slow-motion train wreck is a good way to put it. Agreed about the three you mention. Cohen is a very sad loss in these bad times

[@ruslankbr5243]

Jeffry Sachs proves their conclusions

[@filibe5783]

The best example video of how a dispute between an intelligent guy and a clown goes )))!!

[@molapotsasanyane9855]

McFaul is such a lier

[@rajeshpaleth8664]

When you lie you have to shout and jump around and be all excited....shows.

[@peaceandlove1436]

McFaul is intellectually incoherent and disingenuous. Cohen wasted him

[@PinkQuestion-em4yc]

Omg 49 minute in and I applaud the fact he is not allowed to be in Russia, person non grata as he should be.

[@hobbes4583]

Rest in peace. A great voice for Peace and detente.

[@donone1493]

So many people falls for hypocrites like McFall in our daily lives.

[@bernardantwi8789]

RIP Prof. Cohen!

[@alo1692]

Mcfaul seems to be a guy who is desparate to be funny and liked. Annoying.

[@rufusleaking1884]

I wonder if McFaul didn't feel desperate to not appear overly confrontational, while inserting humor to refute Cohen when he (McFaul) knew the facts were against him. I think he was also desperate to sell a book.

[@tashalorm4313]

Dr. Stephen Cohen what a gem...a great American scholar. RIP

[@yaoypl]

American Exceptionalism is the root cause of the problem. Michael seems to lack empathy and is incapable of putting himself in others’ shoes. With this kind of people in charge of the US foreign policy, no wonder the US-Russia relationships are going south.

[@dpiano14]

Have you seen his heinous comments on Twitter recently about how Russians who don't publicly oppose Putin should suffer the same fate as Russian soldiers in UKR? He was forced to delete only bc of the outcry not bc he realized what he'd written was unconscionable.

[@svendbosanvovski4241]

I have read Professor Cohen's last two works ("Soviet Fates and Lost Alternatives" and "War with Russia?") and found them very informative and persuasive, but seeing him here expanding upon his key arguments is even more rewarding. He shouldn't have to be brave to hold to his position, given his reputation as a scholar, but regrettably he is made to appear out of step with the critical mass of opinion makers who see more value promoting conflict with Russia than working towards a sensible accommodation.

[@dpiano14]

Very well said.

[@Pfirtzer]

Study the history of Khazaria and will know why they want a war with Russia. Read Shlomo Sand, invention of the jewish people. Other good reading is the 13th Tribe Arthur Koestler

[@rogersmith1457]

April 2 2022. I have only just watched this debate, although I had downloaded it amongst many others [ in response to recent events ] some time ago. My reason was and still is to try and comprehend what on Earth caused this absolute reversion to the world I thought we had left behind and grown out of. I may have only been 8 years old during the Cuban Missile Crisis, but I still have very vivid memories of the Horror & Fear I saw in my [ late ] parents faces, even though they tried - as any parent would - to pretend all was well. That pretence on their part was rather betrayed by the Radio & TV news bulletins, and even more so by their stock-piling of tinned food etc in the spare bedroom of our home. I was employed in the defence industry in later years and was privy to the inside track during the Falklands Crisis and also Exercise Able Archer. Thus - for me and many many others - 1989 and the [ peaceful ] Removal of the Berlin Wall was a moment to cherish. So to witness what is now happening is hard to bear. I assume this debate was - as posted above - in 2018; FOUR YEARS AGO !!! LIke many of the 'Frontline' Putin Files interviews I have ground my way through !!, it was and is prescient. Cohen was a brilliant coherent speaker, and I'm devastated to learn only now from other contributions to this feed that he has passed. If I was asked to summarize this debate it would be fairly simple: I agreed with much of both speakers arguments; I disagreed with some of both speakers arguments. I enjoyed the debate. Cohen spoke with authority, dignity, forethought and old-world courtesy. His protagonist McFaul spent most of his presentation with the word 'I' [ I was present when...; I witnessed ....; I helped write ...., I was only speaking to *** the other day; blah ], and also the words 'My Book' [ In My Book; Read My Book; Buy My Book; blah ]. This constant self-promotion made it hard to focus on what he was trying to say, which was irritating in the extreme, as I felt he had a point of view - but did not seem overconfident in expressing it. I also noted that in the ensuing Q & A session Cohen gave McFaul the traditional [ in my old fashioned view ] courtesy of an uninterrupted right of reply, whereas McFaul constantly interrupted every time Cohen was invited to respond. I am definitely in the late evening of my life but my brain is still active and receptive; if I've learnt anything in the last 68 years it is that those who seek to shout down rather than listen have the least to say. All that said - I would recommend this debate to anyone truly concerned about Current Affairs & Events. Stephen Cohen R.I.P

[@n661]

Well-said. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@rodvillager5638]

"The Non-West is waiting for Russia" - Prof Cohen. How spot-on that statement was!

[@ben7510]

Watching this in 2022 it all makes sense

[@larrygalearis7470]

Interesting debate and I hope Cohen is right, and is not the first of its kind. But still the FIRST EVER free debate about the New Cold War in the United States is (so far) still on KZbin. While listening to the two professors I found myself noting the difference in the presentation of facts from a career oriented politician/academic who is influenced by a forced narrative (McFaul) and one (Cohen) who is an academic historian who is in dissent and can speak freely (he is retired). Keep in mind that Prof. McFaul has a career to worry about. It shows a LOT! Here we can see how political pressure can influence a debate. McFaul is still quite deserving of accolades for his courage to even say what he did in this debate. And note how much free speech is missing in American society in the fact that this sort of thing is very difficult to achieve in a collapsed democracy. Note also that McFaul also stuck to "the Narrative" big lies like the so-called Crimea "annexation" when he would have known the truth of it....There are other examples. Americans are denied the fact that the public vote taken in Crimea was over 90% IN FAVOUR of joining Russia (again). This fact is simply too large for McFaul to be unaware of and yet most Americans are wallowing in this fake news. Or censored omissions. FWIW, Galearis

[@ruslendingur]

McFaul is just a reflection of US political universe that is based on following principles: 1. We are good guys and always will be. 2. We know what's right and good and will force that on others - for their own good. That's our mission. 3. We can make mistakes but it's not our fault. 4. Instead it's a fault of those who don't want to follow our way. 5. Everything that doesn't feet that narrative should be ignored or punished. Plus he is just plain stupid and too eager to sell his book.

[@shaughnfourie304]

thank you yes i agree with you

[@BrettHar123]

ruslendingur That is too kind. I had the misfortune to encounter McFaul on twitter, and he showed his true colors. I stood my ground and he blocked me. My friend made some comments, and McFaul threatened her via DM and sent his minions to bomb her feed. Я решил, что Макфол высокомерная и опасная пизда! No Michael, it was Browder giving the money to Navalny.

[@ruslendingur]

He banned me in Twitter after a single comment. Only praising him comments are allowed :)

[@catc8927]

The 2014 Crimean referendum only asked “Do you want independence under the 1992 Crimean constitution as part of Ukraine?” or “Do you want to join Russia?” and never gave the option of keeping the 2018 Crimean constitution and status quo in Ukraine. In either case, it assumed Crimean independence. Given that choice, plus the immediate cutoff of Ukrainian media in Crimea once the referendum was announced, and the general blanketing of Crimean streets, TV, radio, etc with only pro-Russian propaganda promises of rosy economic benefits in the lead up to the referendum, it’s not surprising the vote went the way it did. That the Crimean Tatars encouraged a boycott suggests that they were not convinced of the referendum’s legitimacy. According to them, only 34% of Crimean residents actually voted. The lack of objective outside observers (not foreign pro-Russian far-right supporters) is also a dubious point. There was also evidence of voters being bussed in, Russian temporary residents who were non-Ukrainian-passport holders voting against the stated policy, along with allegations of prefilled ballots. There is enough doubt over the validity of that referendum that it isn’t a useful point to support either a desire for Crimean unification with Russia or a desire to stay with Ukraine.

[@themaverickhistorian6257]

Very informative debate! I think McFaul has only contributed to the new cold war with the treaties he helped write and the ill-informed advice he provided to the neoconservative Obama administration. Mr. Stephen Cohen is brilliant and I only wish he was more influential in shaping today's foreign policy. Though thankfully, McFaul is also no longer influential in shaping U.S. foreign policy.

[@rufusleaking1884]

You regard the Obama administration(a) as neo-CONSERVATIVE? My goodness. How far to the left ARE you?

[@thegribblereport8383]

Uhhhhh

[@thegribblereport8383]

@@rufusleaking1884 Hillary Clinton ran his state dept you idiot. She’s a neocon too

[@dingodingo82]

When you hear Mr Mcfaul talk you kind of are happy he is banned from Russia, what an annoying dude.

[@user-ps3xy9oo3x]

Mcfaul should have stayed in montana

[@brucesummers7448]

The United States oppossed the Reds in Russia starting in 1917 and sent troops and arms to the White faction that wanted to maintain the power structure of the Czar with the continued maltreatment of the serfs who were no better off than slaves on plantations in the Americas. The US kept the civil war going for 10 years and it is remarkable that only 12 years after the end of the civil war the Soviet Union was able to take on the German armies. The Soviets fought against 200 of the 210 German divisions during the war with the United States and Great Britain chosing to fight over the Suez canal and the Japanese possessions in the Pacific instead of against Hitler in Europe for 5 years. The Soviets forced the surrender of Japan when their forces rapidly pushed back the Japanese armies in Manchuria which was an area vital to Japan's ability to obtain fuel and steel and manufacturing for its war effort. Japan surrendered shortly after the Soviet invasion had forced the armies of Japan to surrender. The cold war was a continuation of the aggression of western capitalists against the Soviet Union. Capitalists could not have a communist success anywhere in the world as a possible option for workers. This is why to the current day the mighty United States has mercilessly persecuted the people of the tiny country of Cuba. It is why the CIA was asked by Eisenhower after a request by Winston Churchill, toppled the democratic government of Iran, so that British Petroleum could continue to steal that countries oil.

[@Pfirtzer]

There's another thing you might not be aware of, the fact that the banksters of Rottenchild, funded the Russian Revolution, Lenin was smuggled in a train from Switzerland through Germany and Germany had a chest filled with millions of Reichsmark accompanying Lenin. Know fact if you search.Russians have tens of millions of people sacrificed more than any nation. Today we should remember only the 6 millions of those vile ones that started all wars .

[@roubika1922]

God bless you

[@VeezyXPGames]

Professor Cohen is awesome!!

[@blackjackpinoko]

McFaul sounded like Pompeo

[@rufusleaking1884]

Not even on Pompeo's WORST day would he sound THAT disingenuous.

[@LaVictoireEstLaVie]

McFail is the "friendly" Neolib version of Pompeo. Where as Pompeo is just an evangelist Neocon thug!

[@kingpriapatius5832]

Unfortunately, Stephen would have been very disappointed with NATO and US aggression against Russia.

[@jamesjefferson9228]

McFaul's most cogent argument is that Russia continued to offer cooperation even after NATO expansion and that NATO expansion never came up, so therefore NATO expansion is not a thorn in US-Russia relations. That seems pretty weak to me. Just because a party stays silent and continues to offer cooperation does not mean that it has forgotten or overlooks past transgressions. The aggrieved party may well take the past transgressions into account in how it acts in other ways both present and future, especially when it is in a stronger position to act. For the aggressor party to think that its past transgressions are merely swept under the rug shows a lack of empathy and diplomatic forethought. How could Russia simply forget the broken promise and expansion of NATO up to its borders? How could such transgressions by the West not harm the US/Russian relationship and heighten Russia's security concerns? At that time, America was much stronger, and Russia was not in a position to do anything about it. The tables are turning now. America is a greatly diminished world power. Russia is now in a stronger strategic position. The chickens are coming home to roost.

[@alanmann6099]

I learned alotta things about Obama-Putin meetings that I did not know before. So thank you very much for uploading this'. My respect for Prof Cohen has doubled or trebled mayb...

[@westbethkid]

He might have one or two valid points, but McFaul comes off as a huckster who just wants to sell books.

[@GH-oi2jf]

“Blame” is the wrong way to express it, because it suggests that one party or person is at fault. A more useful and realistic way to look at it is: what US policies contributed to deteriorating relations with Russia? The answer is: meddling in the Russian sphere of influence, specifically expansion of NATO to Russia’s border, and, especially, trying to separate Georgia and Ukraine from Russia’s sphere. Both major US parties have contributed to this mistaken policy.

[@fontfroide1]

What I miss in your argument is what do the Ukraines want. They have indicated that they want to live in a western sphere of influence. The west now says welcome to the club. Also because the east of Ukraine contains important raw materials, which we no longer want to dig into our soil in the west because of the pollution. Ukraines want that because there is a lower standard of living and want to grow, we once did that too. In addition, we really need those raw materials to make the energy transition. The east is not crazy and wants to prevent that to keep the west dependent. Not so strange that the west says ho stop and in my view completely legitimate. If Russia were to take Ukraine they would have a bigger NATO border than now. Seeing NATO as a threat is a fallacy of the Russians or Russian propaganda.

[@OldAthenian]

I can hardly hear professor Cohen. Was his microphone wronged by accident? :)

[@fratdawgg23]

Very interesting. Thx for posting! Cheers.

[@Virgocygni56]

What is the date of this debate Anyone can suggest?

[@jazz4asahel]

Wish I could understand what they're saying.

[@paulbadics3500]

"Thow shall not interfere in others neighbors"

[@jwgpc]

Why does McFaul talk only about Putin's psychology, instead of events that actually happened? "Fuck the European Union!"

[@davidebellelli]

devoutly cohen-ian . . . what an unvaluable legacy of free thought, clarity and compassion

[@jamespolicastro6326]

What on earth is going on over at Stanford? Is this McFolly guy a Hoover Institute appointee?

[@rufusleaking1884]

Perish ForBID!

[@gitana082]

Last time Washington and Moscow were seeking win-win agreements, it was in Yalta.

[@arsbekbek2588]

cold war started when Stalin realized who stands behind Hitler ( zionist globalist novus ordo seclorum). Gorbachev was brainwashed and traitor USSR. But China is strong.

[@cheguevara5560]

Last time Washington and Moscow try to make a agreement was in Malta Sumit 1989 When US guaranteed Gorbachev "NATO want expend one inch eastward " We all know what happened since then ,so thanks to NATO expansion we are not only in the middle if the cokd war ,but much closer to the war than ever before .

[@stevenbishop8850]

The Monroe Doctrine. Has McFly read it?

[@rettro6578]

The "Hot peace" term McFaul coined sounds Orwellian to me.

[@stevecoley8365]

Ignorance (absence of love) aka. greed is the root of all evil. That would make US responsible for most of the conflicts and wars on the planet today.. Cold war and hot wars.

[@gitana082]

I bet, Obama would have gotten the "sphere of influence" thingy, if he was asked "Do you want russian nuclear warheads in Cuba?"

[@lassel1344]

Impressed by Professor Stephen Cohen's knowledge and intelligence. This becomes so enormously clear here when it is completely empty in Washington.

[@Daymjo]

50:35 'our war of terror' bit of a freudian slip hahaha

[@owenhoong88]

OK. They are fighting now

[@frenchfree]

One thing that is never mentioned is the relationship between the USA and the EU and the UK. Russia supplies most of the energy (gas ) to the EU and were it to have a very close relationship including positive trade deals with the EU, AND PAY FOR THIS ENERGY IN EUROS, this would undermine the US petro dollar. Forcing a wedge between the EU (via NATO) and Russia is in the US's economic interest. The NATO generals support this wedge and they continue to get increased military budgets.

[@oryanmontgomery3899]

wow

[@brianbozo2447]

What a fantastic man with integrity and courage. A huge irreplaceable loss

[@t.r.halasa9642]

Why don't you invite : Col. Douglas Macgregor ,or Scott Ritter to speak ?

[@meshzzizk]

starts at 8:00

[@brandonweichert9810]

Let's keep changing the subject when things just start to get interesting. Herein lies another sad reminder of how far academia has fallen.

[@Ephilates2024]

At 25:00, Cohen addresses the Russo-Georgian War of 2008 (the August War). He wonders to what extent the US encouraged Saakashvili. Various sources suggest strongly that the US did not. Dick MIles was our ambassador at the time. He went to lengths to contain Saakashvili, who was bent on provoking Russia. He had nearly started a war in 2004 against South Ossetia. Many officials including presidents tried to contain Saakashvili. He was a loose cannon and eventually lost Washington's love. It is true that we gave Georgia hardware and training and regularly rotated military advisers there. The war is often cited as a case of Russian aggression and incipient revanchism. It was Georgia that was the cause of hostilities. Rest in peace, Prof. Cohen. One of the great Russian analysts. Had we only followed your advice (and Kennan's and Kissinger's), probably a very different (better) world today.

[@tracyhahn8828]

Saakashvili as president of Georgia was one of those orange revolution outcomes we helped push. After he was deposed, and fled from legal proceedings there, he landed on his feet in Ukraine to become part of the current government. Someone powerful rewarded him for his labors in Georgia.

[@larrysherk]

When Russia has a problem with the United States and asks the United States to negotiate, we generally refuse. Doesn't that answer the question? We must have cooperation, and yet the United States refuses.

[@timothyhairston2051]

"you did all these things" "nuh uh"

[@colonelchuck5590]

McFaul sure runs his mouth about nothing.

[@MrAlf30]

Political science students at Stanford could be miserable by Prof McFaul lectures .He is very limited and very narrow minded intellectual in his own right in relation to knowledge in the field of cold war....hope others are good and knowledgeable lecturers.

[@daricklapaglia4337]

I really like the point about Obama appointing brzezinski

[@everclearr]

McFaul got all that pulled down from google? Wow that tells you who's in power of information in the US...

[@slsotto66]

After listening to the intelligent Prof. Cohen, McFaul sounds more like a FOX News analyst.

[@dougjstl1]

Post Cold war I think the title should be after the Cold war of the post era after the Cold war because if you have two that means they're kind of more different like world war I and world war II so if we have like the postcode war as the title the network would make more sense that would get to the point right away and it's amazing how can you you can never plan for the future sometimes you're given a victory and then you don't know what to do with it it's just like the Constitution we will get the victory of the Constitution if we can keep it the rule of law the republic the constraints on government power thank you very much

[@milandragojlovich5500]

And, now; look where we are! Good job, or, huge, costly miss….the passage of time will clearly show…it will be too late for many, and, those who remain, will for sure know!!!!

[@zaurkhalkechev4336]

You can really tell who is the scholar and who is the politician

[@vickichildress4906]

the guy on the right, when he talks, his voice fades and cannot be heard in full...

[@superfreiheit1]

What wrong with anti missle defence agains ICBMs? Its not Russia business

[@patharvard]

Professor Cohen is far too diplomatic to professor Michael McFaul. As Ambassador, McFaul was a direct player in the undermining of Russia's security and in setting the stage for the war in Ukraine.

[@ca-jf3ey]

Cohen's voice sounds like Al Pacino

[@vitaliypchannel2707]

Class! Klassno!

[@dab505279]

McFaul reminds me of a cross between a dishonest aluminum siding salesman and a snake oil salesman.

[@rob_one4511]

Comments at 1:35:00 didn't age well

[@RaulDuranBerestov]

The audience is woke! Love it!

[@GH-oi2jf]

All NATO nations are to blame, but especially the United States.

[@popiedo]

Mcfaul just rambles and tries to crack jokes.

[@angelakparkinson1809]

Wow, talk about being a hypocrite when it comes to violation of human rights.

[@nicobruin8618]

Mcfaul speaks like he's on campaign

[@larrysherk]

Not much of a question: Who is to blame? It's the same as always. The whole world is trying to build good relationships with their neighborhood while the USA is going around declaring enemies. Most Americans have been trained to think Russia is evil, without having a single example in their heads of what Russia has done against us. We communitarians in America have a tough time.

[@rettro6578]

50:32 "our war of terror" indeed.

[@philipstull7629]

Watch JFK's 6/10/1963 peace speech and hear him say the we need a prosperous and healthy Russia.

[@ruslendingur]

"Any customer can have a car painted any color that he wants so long as it is black" © H. Ford. This is what JFK meant - by saying "healthy". And this is what all US politicians and experts mean - you can be whatever you want to be as long as your are what we tell you should be.

[@jollyroger7102]

When Michael Mc Faul says “President Obama said to Putin”, without calling him President Putin, it typifies the superior attitude that all Americans believe they have a right to see themselves as. Only when they stop seeing themselves as indispensable and superior I believe there will be a hope of creating a better world. They don’t appear to be able to negotiate with other countries on the basis of equality. That’s tragic!

[@Kavala76]

35:08 "...but Washington-led policy is driving... Russia from the west.... This is utter folly... The non-west awaits Russia. The non-west, China, Iran, the BRICS nations. All these non-western countries that taken together... represent 35-45% of the worlds land mass. Who is isolating whom here?" The brilliant Cohen anticipated current events 5 years ago.

[@mmazourov]

So past 5 years proved MacFaul to be a liar and Cohen to be a visionary.

[@bouji_]

44:30 thou doth protest a bit too much

[@craigholman1161]

sI find it 8interesting thakt professor McFall argues that countries should have the option of choices while being on Russia's border. Using that logic, Mexico should be a able to align missiles on the US border without our objection. 27.5 million dead Russians would argue that Russian should have security.

[@oNtuobAwoH]

I think we can safely say that McFaul is clear and factual about one key thing, where he remained steadfast throughout this debate - he really, truly wants you to buy his book. And that about sums it up for my thinking about USA international politics. A lot of declarative nodding, agreeing and understanding, but when it comes down to it, the only thing that matters is what they want.

[@everclearr]

Yes!😂

[@53weazel]

McFaul....Arrogant and Aggressive , his way or the highway . Don’t like him at all !!

[@bondaralexey1]

It's a real pleasure to see a respectful debate of two people holding very different views. I wish I could see more of it in Russia too. In the conclusion, though, it does look like the truth is somewhere in the middle and finding common ground might be hard due to strong polarization of opinions on both sides.

[@ruslendingur]

> I wish I could see more of it in Russia too. What exactly would you like to see in Russia?

[@bondaralexey1]

I would like to see more occasions where two polar sides (let it be hardcore "putinist" and a determined liberal) would talk to each other without yelling and screaming and ideally understand each other and come to a common ground. It is a sad tendency that people take sides and do not listen to their opponents.

[@ruslendingur]

Two polar sides can't come to a common grounds - that's why they are Polar Sides :) That's the whole point of this concept (remember - you invoked "polar" term not me!). As to McFaul vs. Cohen is not actually about sides. BTW McFaul banned me immediately in his twitter - when I didn't prize his wisdom. So it's highly likely Cohen's ability to listen to and keep debate in intelligent manner and not McFaul's best side. Anyway - we have two academics (sort of) with more or less same knowledge of Russian language and history, with very similar personal experiences with Russian affairs, being at the same time at the same places to witness same events. So - why do they so different in key opinions? This is by the way very rare situation - as in 999 out of 1,000 "russian experts" only 1 really knows the difference between babushka and matrteshka :) These guys do know the difference. And still - they totally different. Why? Cohen is a wise man (and an old jew). McFaul is Russian speaking narcissist - самовлюбленный идиот без тени сомнения в своей правоте - (his Russian is terrible though). But he perfectly reflects the US political culture. At this event he looks like a salesman - selling his book (I doubt he would do great with vacuum cleaners). PS. You might be right - people on Russian TV (not mentioning social media) are screaming at each other. But they screaming their different opinions - not kind of prayer "it's a danger to our democracy" that come from all "major" and "independent" Media of Mass Hysteria.

[@tontelion]

@@bondaralexey1 but we have. Especially, between liberals and communists (we call them "red"). Moreover we have academic critics about politic's decisions.

[@davidesinigoi6254]

Cohen is a giant compared to McFaul. One is a intellectual blessed with wisdom and a clear and realistic view of the world. The other one is a small professor who witnessed first hand some of recent history, and gave the impression that didn't understand it.

[@brianbrecknock9625]

It's fantastic that the USA recognizes that sovereign nations have a right to Join any military alliance they want! Cuba and many in south america, can now have Russian and Chinese bases on there soil. I am sure the Liberal order will accept this outcome, which they have steadfastly upheld.. Bravo the USA. 🙂🙂🙂

[@dmitriya2756]

Michael Foley is a liar of course US was involved I was me in US Army force and my friends used to travel to Georgia way before 2008 and of course everybody knows 2008 Russia and Georgia went to war with each other but our soldiers US government soldiers were teaching Georgians fighting with the NATO forces and all orange resolutions and Geo like him involved inOverturning government was famous Victoria Nuland

[@peterkoi1354]

Stephen F . Cohen "The tragic fall lies within us, I'm not sure it's with Russia". Your words has come true from 2 March 2022. Beginning of unipolar world. Fall of dollar higimony.

[@MP-wz3bu]

*US proxy war*

[@averageamerican6727]

Wow, when prof. Cohen let the national security machine get away with it. Well, it was clear here he knew where all this is going and he was an American after all. The other guy is a CIA foreign policy apologist. Quote me on that. ✌️

[@BrokenCircle1]

53:39 This guy comes off as incredibly disingenuous. I don't care who he is for or against but if he says 'buy my book' one more time. Seems like he's only in it for the money.

[@adambased7928]

The answer is obvious