I have been skimming back through Peter Hopkirk's The Great Game. I would consider this essential reading for anyone truly interested in understanding deep background and origins of contemporary conflict in Central and South/Southwest Asia. I was struck by a segment of this work in light of current Russian affairs.
Should we be followers of the Russophobe David Urquhart and see a Russian plot for world conquest behind any Russian government activity? Or, should we see, as did Lord Durham, that the Russian position is one of balance between their own strengths and weaknesses that will not allow the Russians to pursue a truly voracious foreign policy? This is an interesting question for the students and followers of Russian foreign policy and particularly Russian activity in the "Near Abroad" of the former Soviet republics of Central Asia. And, apparently this question is not a new question.
Should we be followers of the Russophobe David Urquhart and see a Russian plot for world conquest behind any Russian government activity? Or, should we see, as did Lord Durham, that the Russian position is one of balance between their own strengths and weaknesses that will not allow the Russians to pursue a truly voracious foreign policy? This is an interesting question for the students and followers of Russian foreign policy and particularly Russian activity in the "Near Abroad" of the former Soviet republics of Central Asia. And, apparently this question is not a new question.
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