Ivan Krastev, a political scientist and chairman of the Centre for Liberal Strategies, discusses the profound impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on Europe. He highlights Germany's dramatic shift from pacifism to military investment and the challenges to EU unity posed by differing responses from Poland and Hungary. The conversation also dives into Europe's struggle with its democratic ideals versus its colonial past. Krastev provides insights on how these dynamics will reshape Europe's identity and its geopolitical relationships with the U.S. and China.
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insights INSIGHT
Europe's Response
Three factors shaped Europe's reaction: disbelief in major war, self-blame for appeasement, and reliance on US support.
Unified public outrage and swift government action arose, but long-term implications remain uncertain.
insights INSIGHT
Germany's Rearmament
Germany's shift away from pacifism wasn't solely due to the invasion; debates about rearmament had been ongoing.
Public outrage and pressure from Eastern European neighbors catalyzed the change, alongside concerns about US reliability.
insights INSIGHT
Risk of Nuclear Escalation
Russia's poor military performance might paradoxically increase the risk of tactical nuclear weapon use due to Putin's vulnerability.
Germany's rearmament aims to address Eastern European security concerns and prepare for potential US policy shifts.
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In this book, Ivan Krastev and Stephen Holmes argue that the supposed end of communism marked the beginning of an age of autocracy. They contend that the drive for democracy in Eastern Europe after 1989 led to a bitter repudiation of liberalism due to the painful process of 'copycat Westernization.' This mimicry of Western institutions and values, especially after the Soviet era, resulted in a deep-seated resentment and a political backlash against liberalism. The authors also examine how this phenomenon is linked to the rise of populist and nationalist movements in both Eastern Europe and the United States, including the Trump presidency. They discuss the roles of Russia, China, and other global actors in this context and argue that Western defenders of liberal democracy need to offer a more realistic vision of world order[2][3][5].
The idea of India
Sunil Khilnani
In 'The Idea of India', Sunil Khilnani delves into the rich historical, cultural, and political tapestry of India, examining the various ideas and ideologies that have shaped the nation's identity. The book covers India's journey from ancient civilizations to its modern challenges, highlighting its diverse cultures, religions, and languages. Khilnani explores themes such as democracy, diversity, identity, and globalization, offering insights into how India has managed to endure as a democratic nation despite numerous challenges.
Postwar
A History of Europe Since 1945
Tony Judt
This book provides a sweeping narrative of Europe's journey from the devastation of World War II to the present day. Judt draws on forty years of research to create a deeply learned and absorbing chronicle that weaves together the histories of Eastern and Western Europe. The book explores the economic, cultural, and political transformations of the continent, including the impact of Soviet control, the rise of the European Union, and the ongoing legacy of the Holocaust[2][4][5].
Russia's invasion of Ukraine is one of the biggest and most confusing political events of our lifetimes. We aim to bring some clarity in this special four-part series from Vox Conversations and host Zack Beauchamp, The War in Ukraine, Explained.
In part four, Zack speaks with author, political scientist, and scholar of European politics Ivan Krastev. They discuss the reverberations of Russia's invasion of Ukraine across Europe, from a sudden change of course in Germany and elections in France to the threatened intellectual foundations of the European Union nations' shared postwar identity, and how the war in Ukraine will shape the EU's future relations with the U.S. and China — and the future of Europe itself.
The Gray Area with Sean Illing 
