Making Sense with Sam Harris #275 — The Russian War in Ukraine
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Mar 10, 2022 Garry Kasparov, chess grandmaster and fierce advocate for democracy, joins for a riveting discussion on Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. They dive into Putin's true ambitions and the troubling public sentiment shaped by Russian propaganda. Kasparov critiques the hesitancy of Western sanctions, urging stronger measures to uphold democracy. The conversation also tackles the controversial notions of a no-fly zone and regime change, weighing their risks against the backdrop of potential global conflict.
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Putin's Rise to Power
- Garry Kasparov recalls the fall of the Soviet Union and the toppling of the KGB founder's statue.
- He was shocked that a KGB officer, Putin, became president less than nine years later.
Early Warning Signs
- Putin's KGB background and open admiration for the Soviet Union were clear early signs of his intentions.
- Kasparov's warnings about Putin's potential danger, along with others, were largely ignored.
Putin's Public Declarations
- Putin openly expressed his desire for spheres of influence, harking back to the 19th century, at the Munich Security Conference.
- His actions in Georgia in 2008 and Crimea in 2014 further demonstrated these intentions but were met with insufficient response.