Russia Hawks and China Hawks (Robert Wright & John Mearsheimer)
Robert Wright's Nonzero
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Putin's Disappointment With Russia
CNN's John Defterios says Putin has said as far back as 2008, quote, Ukraine is not a real country. The first instance on record of him saying that is by way of explaining why NATO expansion would be a mistake because it would be divisive for the country of Ukraine itself. But even if he didn't, you know, you put yourself in his shoes, Russia has been this great power and its stature is obviously declining. That's a sensitive issue psychologically, presumably for Russians generally.
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