The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast 230. Russia, Ukraine, and the West | Frederick Kagan
Mar 1, 2022
Frederick Kagan, an expert in Russian military history and director of the American Enterprise Institute's Critical Threats Project, delves into the complexities of the Ukraine invasion. He discusses Putin's historical motivations and military strategies, exploring NATO's evolution and the intricate Russia-West relationship. The conversation highlights hybrid warfare tactics, the impact of disinformation, and the resilience of Ukrainian forces amid geopolitical tensions, while emphasizing the urgent need for international support and the ramifications of sanctions on Russia's economy.
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Russia's Western Identity Crisis
- Russia has never fully considered itself part of the West, even during Peter the Great's westernization attempts.
- This stems from a long-standing debate within Russia about its identity, exemplified by 19th-century Westernizers and Slavophiles.
Moscow: The Third Rome
- Russian messianism, dating back to Ivan the Terrible, positions Moscow as the "Third Rome," the center of true Christianity.
- This view rejects Rome and Constantinople's historical authority, further separating Russia from Western religious traditions.
Bolshevik Influence on Russian Identity
- The Bolshevik Revolution's rejection of Western principles and its inherent distrust of capitalism fueled anti-Western sentiment.
- The Soviets' isolationist policies and state control of information reinforced this view, shaping Russian perspectives.
