Ivan Krastev, a prominent political scientist and expert on geopolitics, joins journalist Philippa Thomas to dive into the intricate dynamics surrounding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. They unravel how middle powers like Turkey, India, and Saudi Arabia are redefining their roles in global politics. Discussing Turkey’s mediation attempts and India’s strategic benefits from sanctions, the conversation emphasizes how these nations assert independence, challenging traditional alliances and reshaping the geopolitical landscape.
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insights INSIGHT
Ukraine War's Impact on China-Taiwan Dynamics
The Russia-Ukraine war has paradoxical implications for China and Taiwan.
The US initially aimed to prioritize China but now uses Ukraine as a deterrent example.
insights INSIGHT
2024 Elections' Impact
Upcoming elections in 2024, including in Russia, Ukraine, the US, and Taiwan, will significantly influence geopolitical events.
The outcomes of these elections will shape policies and the trajectory of the ongoing war.
insights INSIGHT
Putin's Vulnerability
Putin's legitimacy depends on elections, and he faces criticism for not winning the war quickly.
This vulnerability creates a challenge for him as he seeks to justify the prolonged conflict to the Russian public.
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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].
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].
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.
Intelligence Squared 
