Intelligence Squared How Putin’s Wars Shaped Modern Russia
Jan 30, 2023
Mark Galeotti, a leading expert on modern Russia and author of the insightful book 'Putin’s Wars,' discusses how Vladimir Putin's conflicts have reshaped the country. Galeotti highlights the evolution of Putin's military strategies, from Chechnya to Syria, and how these actions reflect his ideology of defending Russia's dignity. He also delves into the annexation of Crimea and the miscalculations that sparked further tensions in Ukraine, ultimately revealing the unpredictable nature of geopolitical decisions in today's world.
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Decay of the Russian Military
- In the 1990s, Russian Spetsnaz soldiers moonlighted as mafia hitmen due to unpaid salaries.
- They even used their training facilities to train would-be hitmen, highlighting the military's decay.
Russia's Dignity
- Putin's emphasis on defending Russia's dignity is central to his worldview.
- He sees Russia as a great power by birthright, a status he believes the West ignores and tries to deny.
War as a Tool of Power
- Putin learned from the Second Chechen War that military force is key to great power status.
- This cemented his belief that military capability is more important than soft power or economic influence.
