The Podcast of the Lotus Eaters PREVIEW: Realpolitik #11 | Why the West Has Always Hated Russia
Sep 10, 2025
Delve into the historical context of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, uncovering its complex and often misunderstood roots. Discover how post-Soviet turmoil in the 90s shaped modern Russia and influenced Western strategies. The discussion shifts to historical Western interventions, including alliances in the Syrian conflict and the fragmentation of Yugoslavia. Finally, reflect on Russia's military legacy, including the significance of the Chechen Wars, all against the backdrop of Boris Yeltsin's chaotic presidency.
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Cold War Map Reordered After Berlin Wall
- Europe was split into NATO and the Warsaw Pact with buffer states between them before 1989.
- The Berlin Wall's fall dissolved those blocs and reset European security dynamics.
NATO's 'Not One Inch East' Promise Matters
- Western leaders promised Gorbachev that NATO would not move east when Germany unified, a key geopolitical assurance.
- The promise was politically significant even if not legally binding and shaped later Russian grievances.
Loss Of Strategic Depth Fuels Russian Anxiety
- Russia lost its Soviet-era buffer zone as former republics and Warsaw Pact states moved toward the West.
- From Moscow's view, NATO expansion onto former Soviet borders constituted a strategic betrayal and security threat.