Putin's regime can collapse. The problem is that we don't know when and this is the most important issue. This war very much being provoked by the fear of a demographic decline. In 19th century, Russia was famous for having more soldiers than guns. And now for the first time, are they enough men? Is demographically Russia able to defend its position in a situation in which the country is losing population? For people who've been tortured, killed. Do keep them coming with another 10 minutes or so. Will any countries outside the West care if China invades Taiwan? I'm sure that the Japanese are going to be very, very concerned that this is going to happen. South
Observed from afar, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine might appear to be a replay of the Cold War stand-off between Russia and the West. But according to political scientist Ivan Krastev a closer look complicates the picture. In a recent op-ed in the Financial Times Krastev argued that while America’s allies in Europe came together in support of Ukraine, other states, especially Turkey, India and Saudi Arabia have offered a different response. Turkey’s role in the Russia-Ukraine war is a classic example of middle power activism. President Tayyip Erdoğan has downplayed the country’s identity as a NATO member at the same time as he has positioned his country as a potential mediator between Moscow and Kyiv. India has used the war to capitalise on Western sanctions and import cheap Russian gas. And the Saudis have cosied up to Beijing and Moscow as a reminder to the United States that the US/Saudi security alliance is not unconditional. Middle powers have different goals and agendas but they all share one fundamental feature: they are determined to sit at the table of global politics and have a say in shaping their own regions. On this episode, Krastev, with journalist and academic Philippa Thomas, explores the rising activism of middle powers and how it is reshaping the world.
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