Ep. 2574 Scott Horton on How Clinton and Bush Poisoned Relations with Russia
Nov 28, 2024
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Scott Horton, an expert on foreign policy and author of 'Provoked,' unpacks the historical missteps of U.S. administrations, particularly Clinton and Bush, that have strained relations with Russia. He critiques contemporary U.S. military support strategies in Ukraine and discusses how these connect to past decisions. Horton highlights the complexities of U.S.-Russia relations, including the misconceptions surrounding NATO and the impact of 9/11. His insights advocate for a deeper understanding of foreign policy dynamics that continue to shape global tensions today.
Scott Horton emphasizes the historical expansion of NATO after the Cold War as a key factor worsening U.S.-Russia relations.
The discussion critiques recent U.S. military decisions in Ukraine as dangerous escalations that might provoke Russia and complicate geopolitics.
Horton illustrates how U.S. foreign policies under Clinton and Bush fostered mistrust, contributing to Russia's aggressive postures and conflicts.
Deep dives
Scott Horton and His New Book
Scott Horton discusses his new book, 'Provoked: How Washington Started the New Cold War with Russia and the Catastrophe in Ukraine', highlighting its relevance to understanding current geopolitical tensions. The book has gained significant attention, sparking conversations on social media about its insights into U.S. foreign policy. Scott expresses gratitude to the podcast audience for supporting the pre-orders, which helped him navigate challenges with distribution. This successful engagement illustrates the strong connection between Scott's work and the audience's interest in foreign policy discussions.
Escalation in U.S.-Russia Relations
Recent military decisions made by the Biden administration are framed as dangerous escalations that could lead to significant geopolitical tensions, with opinions divided among national security advisors. The discussion highlights the risky nature of sending advanced military weaponry to Ukraine, which entails not only direct U.S. involvement but could also provoke a reaction from Russia. Scott argues that the implications of such actions generate unnecessary risks and further complicate international relations. He stresses the lack of understanding among policymakers regarding the potential consequences of their decisions on global peace.
NATO's Role and Historical Context
The historical expansion of NATO, particularly after the Cold War, is critiqued for exacerbating tensions with Russia, with Secretary of Defense William Perry acknowledging the mistakes tied to NATO's eastward expansion. This policy change is depicted as a fundamental shift that led to a deterioration in U.S.-Russia relations, as it was seen as a provocation by Russian leaders. Horton cites various political figures who warned about the long-term repercussions of these decisions and critiques contemporary framing of these historical events. The narrative emphasizes the need to comprehend the past to understand the current geopolitical landscape, particularly regarding NATO's influence.
The Impact of U.S. Foreign Policy Decisions
The podcast discusses how U.S. foreign policies, particularly during the Clinton and Bush administrations, have created an unfriendly environment towards Russia, referencing the Kosovo War and the Budapest Memorandum. Scott illustrates how America's military interventions and deceptive promises led to a breakdown in trust, reflected in Putin's rising aggression and desire to assert influence in former Soviet territories. He analyzes the connections between support for regime changes in neighboring countries and the resulting security concerns from Moscow's perspective. This situation illustrates the cyclical nature of conflict driven by foreign policy actions, emphasizing the consequences that arise from interventions.
Understanding Russian Perspective on Security Threats
The discussion sheds light on Russia's perspective regarding NATO's expansion and the perception that U.S. interventions are direct threats to its sovereignty. The 2020 color revolution attempts in Belarus are cited as examples of American tactics perceived as hostile by Russian leadership. Scott argues that the relentless pressure from the U.S. to influence former Soviet states increases Russian paranoia and necessitates a stronger response from their government. This perspective invites listeners to reconsider common narratives about NATO as purely defensive and understand the complexities surrounding Russia's fears regarding Western encroachment.
