FDD's Foreign Podicy The Shadows Moscow Casts Over Historian Mark Galeotti
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Aug 29, 2025 Mark Galeotti, a British historian and author specializing in Russia, discusses the formidable threats facing democracies like Ukraine and Taiwan from aggressive powers. He examines the shifting landscape in Russia from Yeltsin to Putin, revealing the complex dynamics of leadership. The conversation touches on Zelensky's surprising transformation into a wartime leader, the grim realities of military strikes in Kiev, and the intricate ties between governance and organized crime in conflict zones. Galeotti also reflects on Moscow's global influence with a touch of humor.
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1990s Trauma Shaped Modern Russia
- Russia's 1990s collapse produced extreme inequality and social trauma that shaped later politics.
- Mark Galeotti argues Yeltsin lacked a democratic blueprint, helping pave the way for later authoritarianism.
Putin: State Restorer, Not Democratic Builder
- Putin restored state order after near-collapse but lacked a plan for democratic succession.
- Galeotti feared Putin would centralize power rather than hand it to democratic successors.
Power Warps Long-Serving Leaders
- Long tenure warps leaders; Putin became a caricature of his worst traits.
- Galeotti says power over 25 years amplified Putin's worst instincts and behaviors.
