Russia the Disruptor
How Moscow broke with the West—and unleashed a more chaotic world.
This article examines two books that explore whether the United States' actions in the 1990s and early 2000s contributed to Russia's hostile actions in Ukraine. The authors argue that the U.S. expansion of NATO, which many in Russia saw as a threat to its security, was a significant factor. The Berlin Wall's fall and the subsequent collapse of the Soviet Union presented an opportunity for a magnanimous approach to Russia, reminiscent of World War II.
However, instead of fostering cooperation, the U.S. encouraged rapid NATO expansion and democratization in Eastern and Central Europe, which Russia viewed as hostile. The article also discusses how Russia has since sought to evade sanctions and political pressure by forming alliances with other countries. The ultimate question is whether the West, facing greater internal chaos with the U.S. presidency of Donald Trump, can adapt to this new reality.
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