Gary Kasparov in a recent interview laid out his case for why Putin is a bigger threat to the world than IS (read about the interview here). In his interview Kasparov compares European responses to Putin with European responses to Hitler pre WWII. Kasparov also argues that the rest of the world is playing chess while Putin is playing poker and that Putin is calling our bluff.
For my two cents, Kasparov has a point and we should consider whether or not we are addressing Putin's aggressive Russian foreign policy correctly. I am not convinced that the world response is similar to how we responded to Hitler pre WWII or that current Russian foreign policy indicates a similar desire to directly own and control the world. Perhaps a few readers might chime in here and add their thoughts.
For my two cents, Kasparov has a point and we should consider whether or not we are addressing Putin's aggressive Russian foreign policy correctly. I am not convinced that the world response is similar to how we responded to Hitler pre WWII or that current Russian foreign policy indicates a similar desire to directly own and control the world. Perhaps a few readers might chime in here and add their thoughts.
I do not think the Hitler scenario is correct, I think a Cold War analogy is more apt. Pre-WWII with Hitler we followed an appeasement strategy conceding territory, and with Putin we are seemingly trying a containment strategy limiting the Russian expansion, being more aggressive than the world was with Hitler. Even though we have only truly made political speeches and implemented some economic sanctions, I believe this is a more aggressive approach than we took with Hitler.
ReplyDeleteAlso I think the ultimate goals of each actor is important as well. With Hitler his goal was to dominate the entire European continent and then continue his expansion from there. Putin wants to return Russia to its former glory and establish a buffer zone between his borders and the west. If he had his way, I do feel Putin would like to be the one world superpower, but I think he knows that will not be possible and is simply trying to shore up his borders and increase the Russian sphere of influence.
As to the ISIS vs Putin debate, at this point the comparison is apples and oranges. I personally feel that ISIS poses a greater short term threat to US national interests both abroad and domestically, while Putin is more of a long term threat. The goal of ISIS is a global Muslim caliphate, and I think for the foreseeable future Putin wants to increase the Russian sphere of influence mainly. While both ISIS and Russia can and should be viewed as threats to the US as a global power, these two pose different threat levels and challenges to US foreign policy moving forward.
Which glory of Russia is Putin desiring to reclaim--Czarist Empire or Soviet Domain?
ReplyDeleteIs Putin more interested in what's best for his country, or accumulating personal power and wealth for himself and his cronies? Another way of putting it. Is he more of a Russian patriot, or a Mafia Don?
ReplyDeleteI think Putin is looking more to reclaim the Soviet Domain than the Czarist Empire, but I am mostly basing this off of his experience during the middle and waning years of the Soviet Empire than I am of facts at this point. Definitely worth looking into his statements to see if I can find a better answer.
ReplyDeleteFor the second question, I think he is genuinely trying to do both, to the greatest extent possible. Based on the above opinion, I do think he wants Russia to return to their Soviet level of power, but he also wants to be the one in charge of this expanding Russian empire. So I would say he is more like a Don trying to expand both the legitimate and illegitimate sides of the family business.
A few months ago, when the story came out about Putin refusing to return coach Krafts' super bowl ring, I thought to myself,"This guy is a thug, all he cares about is getting what he wants, and he is willing to lie, cheat and steal to do it." His attitude combined with his power make him dangerous.
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