YES! YES! It always makes my day when new interview with prof. Kotkin comes out. 🙂 I can listen this great historian for hours and don't get bored. Thank you for making this interviews, I wish his words could reach more people. Greetings from Czech Rep. 👍
The questions that were the setup for this discussion were good. Professor Kotkin's responses were excellent and on point, but his comments on Patriotism are priceless and should be inscribed on our hearts!
Taught many graduate students from Vietnam, age 25~35, as a professor in Korea. In direct conversation, they repeatedly voiced the notion that the Vietnamese people harbor no animosity towards Americans despite the ravages of the war. This surprised me but also made me sense a good future for the Vietnamese people. ;-)
What an incredible conversation. I love when intelligent and interesting people break down current affairs, politics and history in a way I understand and learn from. We don’t have to be scholars but we do need some level of knowledge when it comes to these topics. If you don’t, you are just along for the ride. I think it’s important to learn and understand why we do what we do and what we fight for. To ensure future generations don’t squander the gift, we must educate them and preach the importance of ideals and institutions.
EVERYONE in this country should listen to this interview, and esp. the last 15 minutes of it. You can agree with it, or ultimately disagree with it, but it's important to hear, and to be reminded of.
Prof. Kotkin’s ability to communicate his brilliant insights to his audience makes him one of my favorite historians and always listen to his speeches. His responses to the questions asked were outstanding leaving me with a much more complete understanding of the events. Thank you to all who contributed to the video.
Kotkin's wide perspective and deep knowledge is remarkable. His ability to clearly present his views in such an organized way with restraint and even occasional humor is refreshing.
I always enjoy listening to an exchange with Dr. Kotkin. On patriotism, we agree completely. Mark Twain's quote about patriotism comes to mind: "Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it." Partiotism isn't conservative or liberal - it is about shared American ideals.
Great interview. I discover Professor Kotkin for the first time. He makes Probably the most meaningful comments I’ve heard on the current Ukrainian situation. Thank you for bringing it to us.
Stephen Kotkin is such a pleasure to listen to. A wealth of knowledge and insight into Russia and China, as well as ourselves, whilst also being able to deliver with humility and humour. All is not lost. Thank you from Australia
I love how each question has more than one question in it. That's how you do it when you get the chance to have someone like this on your show. Excellent. 💯👍🇺🇸
11:10 "Imperial Japan gives way to a liberal democracy. Nazi Germany gives way to a stable liberal democracy". Yes, because both were defeated, occupied and had democracy effectively imposed on them forcibly. Do you think Germany would have miraculously de-Nazified and democratised itself without the defeat, occupation and political control of the Allied powers? Seeing how reluctant it was to the process of de-Nazification, how quickly after WWII it announced an amnesty for war criminals etc. and what the societal mood was prevalent among the Germans for decades after WWII - no. So Russia didn't go the path of Imperial Japan or Nazi Germany because it wasn't defeated, occupied and didn't see a new political order imposed on it. As simple as that.
Another excellent talk by Dr. Kotkin. Great questions and moderator. Thank you! It is so fantastic to sit on my porch in Cody, Wyoming and listen to great minds.
Prof. Kotkin is definitely someone I enjoy listening to, but based on his voice, I can't help but think of him as an academic Joe Pesci. Does anyone else have this impression besides me?
I admire Stephen' Kotkin for his reference to Vietnam, and the USA being capable of winning the peace, after losing the war - this really should make Americans proud. I spent about four weeks in Vietnam in 2007, and was astonished by the people and their openness to America and other cultures as well - they are just asking for respect and the right to remember. What makes one sad, is that Ho Chi Minh, when on the search for support after their freedom fight against the French in 1954, was approaching USA first - and due to bad decisionmaking in DC, he was denied. By this, the US forced him to turn to the Russians, and the Russians again forced him to accept Chinese help. How Chinese help looks like, we all know.
I am a child of the Vietnam War. When “Freedom isn’t free, you have to pay the price, you have to sacrifice, for your liberty” had to share the stage with “Who’s the one to tell me why, if I’m the one whose gotta die?” Our system then made both points of view valid.
A knitted tie! He's actually wearing a knitted tie. That makes my respect for him go up by almost as much as wearing THOSE shoes with THAT suit, brings it down.
Kotkin has the perfect approach in addressing the lack of patriotism in my generation. I am on the left side of the American political spectrum and not particularly moderate. However, he was instrumental in making me understand that America’s shortcomings (and they are numerous) do not undo the great things we’ve achieved. This is the perspective my generation doesn’t get to see. Instead, we are bombarded with old, out of touch men yelling at us that America is perfect or that our misdeeds are exaggerated/lies. We’re not that stupid.
Always enjoy listening to Professor Kotkin and appreciate the Hoover Institution content. It is however fascinating to me as big C Conservative institutions wrestle (or through incredible feats of cognitive dissonance fail to wrestle) with the fact that their positions are now largely championed by the mainstream Democratic party (if not necessarily the leading edge of liberalism). I'd kind of like to see this taken head on one day. Kotkin speaks here and elsewhere of statecraft in its most lofty forms, nation building at the most expansive levels, deep appreciation for institutions, and when it comes to Taiwan, not rocking the boat too much through bluster and belligerence. Ignoring how all these positions are under sustained attack from the bulk of the contemporary Republican party strikes me as trying to talk around the elephant in the room. It strikes me that both Putin and Xi recognize that if they are going to achieve their aims it will come on the back of Republican populism. I get that Hoover tries to walk a difficult line of educating and not rocking the boat that they are sitting in, but the new Know Nothing party has real effects antithetical to almost everything Hoover states that it stands for.
Kotkin's insight is worth all the time one will spend listening to him. I also keep a grain of salt handy as he tends to "toe the line" and for me that leaves a gap of perspective on the overall topic. But, knowing all that - well, well, well worth the time to listen.
Stephen Kotkin is simply one of the most intelligent, smart and entertaining person that I've ever heard to speak. Whether the topic is this stupid war or humanity, peace etc.
Re: The last question on patriotism, I would be curious about going back in time and look at polling Americans in mid-1939 or late 1916 on the likelihood/virtue of being involved in a Pacific or European War. Come to think of it, September 10th, 2001 might be one to look at for that matter. I myself remember being a High School student in the late 1970s during what President Carter called the 'Crisis of Confidence'. But let something or someone cross a line against us? Or we elect a President to that office who understands America's potential and can mobilize public support for a worthwhile cause ("Mr Gorbachov, Tear down this wall!") and I'll think you'll be amazed,... and proud, once again.
Kotkin is one of the greats of our time - his knowledge and understanding of history and current affairs is just outstanding, and he does Joe Pesci to a T!
Prof. Stephen Kotkin is such inspiring person. Real embodiment of the lifetime wisdom. Thank you for the beautiful talk. I liked the reaction of Joe Pesci to Stephen Kotlin description of FSB and Prigorhin links and relationships: "Well, what you've just described, this is exactly like how mob operates!". Well - voila! Good morning! With all respect, a "tank shipment description" story of Stephen Kotlin does not quite hold. Poland, Slovakia, or the Czech Republic may have been repairing Abrams tanks as these countries have facilities for that. These countries do not have facilities to repair Abrams tanks specifically, but they have a long history and tradition of building and assembling such weapons. Challenges with repair and logistic facilities are understood, but nothing has been done along these lines, even after two years of the war. If the lack of logistics or repair shops was the main reason preventing sending these armored vehicles, something could have been done to solve it. But nothing has been done. President Biden's responsibility and accountability for this inaction is probably different.
Love listening to Stephen Kotkin. He makes so much sense, and describes the dynamics so succinctly that you almost think, "yes, I knew that all along." I just wish the interviewer didn't have prescripted questions and/or would just shut up.
@@r31n0ut 1 or 2 of the questions that were closer in style to a CNN or Fox set-up, especially around US isolation. Isolation undermines the US' own regional interests and its global market dominance, this is evidentially supported, no one wants to see China set the World Trade agenda or how international laws that protect IP work. Isolation is slow self-containment, a type of containment that China is spending Trillions on their military and belt and Road initiative to break out from
Very intelligent conversation, but one point Mr. Kotkin doesn’t mention is, Ukraine can win all their territory back, joining EU and joining NATO like Poland or Finnland , this is their path! Greetings from Germany 🇩🇪 🇺🇸
You are right about Ukraine, but the paths discussed were about Russia's path towards the future. That is very relevant for ukraine as it will always be their neighbor.
Mr Kotkin is a true scholar and a great communicator. The clarity, erudution and dry humor on display are a testament to this . I also find myself in agreement with his take on patriotism, unfortunately it's a term that's been politicized and used as cover to promote chauvinism and bigotry: "Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel".
Unfortunately, I must point out that historian Kotkin seems to be misinformed this time; he appears to be making up narratives. PMCs don't have legal status in the Russian Federation. The Wagner Group was an entity established by the Military Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff, enlisting 'volunteers'. Keep in mind, the armed forces of the RF comprise conscripts, reservists, and volunteers. Prigozhin served as the CEO of the front company, Wagner Group Centre, one of his numerous ventures. Putin confirmed that Prigozhin received payments through several contracts, in cash-a detail that implies state-sanctioned money laundering. We are yet to discover who compensated Prigozhin for combat in Bakhmut (my suspicion leans towards 'the basin', a slush fund where all oligarchs contribute). When the Ministry of Defence ordered to directly contract Wagner's 'volunteers', Prigozhin lost the source of payment. That's the gist of it.
Damn I am getting older and in true physical pain and no end in sight . Good days are probably no more. But to lessen that reality I focus , when I can, to do two things per day: think of my children and wish them the best , second, to learn something new every day. But today I add to that list a third thing. And that is , “I truly was enlightened by Steve’s wisdom and perspective”. It’s a much better day today. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and I am better for it. Greg
Prof. Kotkin is the only true American Patriot amongst this crowd of so-called ‘patriots’. Facing the issues with logical takes, not nonsensical populist views that get the country nowhere but backwards from our current position. Kudos to you, professor, hopefully the rest of the right realizes that they need to aspire to be more like you and less like the more media-hungry and selfish conservatives.
Rule #1 put down whatever book you are currently reading and watch Mr Robinson interview Mr Kotkin. Rule #2 - you will learn more if you just stick to Rule #1
He needs his own show, the way he explains ideas and history is phenomenal. Could listen to him hours at a time.
I can listen to Joe Pesci all day long and not get bored.
Stephan Kotkin is more than a professor of history, he’s an expert with humanity and insight. A thoroughly engaging conversation.
YES! YES! It always makes my day when new interview with prof. Kotkin comes out. 🙂 I can listen this great historian for hours and don't get bored. Thank you for making this interviews, I wish his words could reach more people.
Greetings from Czech Rep. 👍
Stephen is one of the most relevant minds to follow for geopolitical understanding. He's a national treasure.
Prof. Kotkin is one of the very few who really understands what is going on. Thanks for your insights.
The questions that were the setup for this discussion were good. Professor Kotkin's responses were excellent and on point, but his comments on Patriotism are priceless and should be inscribed on our hearts!
Always love new content with Stephen Kotkin 😊
Taught many graduate students from Vietnam, age 25~35, as a professor in Korea. In direct conversation, they repeatedly voiced the notion that the Vietnamese people harbor no animosity towards Americans despite the ravages of the war. This surprised me but also made me sense a good future for the Vietnamese people. ;-)
I could not be more excited to watch this video.
I've been searching every day for new long-form Stephen Kotkin interviews since the "mutiny".
I'm glad I'm not the only one that's always searching for new interviews with him lol
It's a pure pleasure to listen to Stephen Kotkin. Thank you.
I love Kotkin's presentation style. He's so down-to-earth.
Watching you from Ukraine. Thanks! 🇺🇦💪🇺🇸
What an incredible conversation. I love when intelligent and interesting people break down current affairs, politics and history in a way I understand and learn from. We don’t have to be scholars but we do need some level of knowledge when it comes to these topics. If you don’t, you are just along for the ride. I think it’s important to learn and understand why we do what we do and what we fight for. To ensure future generations don’t squander the gift, we must educate them and preach the importance of ideals and institutions.
My mother used to quote François de La Rochefoucauld, "Hypocrisy is the tribute that vice pays to virtue."
Well said.
Take Stephen & Peter on the road and sell out theaters across the country.
THIS
EVERYONE in this country should listen to this interview, and esp. the last 15 minutes of it. You can agree with it, or ultimately disagree with it, but it's important to hear, and to be reminded of.
Prof. Kotkin’s ability to communicate his brilliant insights to his audience makes him one of my favorite historians and always listen to his speeches. His responses to the questions asked were outstanding leaving me with a much more complete understanding of the events. Thank you to all who contributed to the video.
Kotkin's wide perspective and deep knowledge is remarkable. His ability to clearly present his views in such an organized way with restraint and even occasional humor is refreshing.
Kotkin single-handedly just changed my entire worldview...wow
A fantastic addition to the "Questions for Kotkin" series.
Kotkin is an immense credit to civilly progressive society.
There’s nothing better on a slow Saturday evening than getting to listen to a new prof. Kotkin presentation with a good craft beer at my side. Lol
Grateful to be living in the timeline where I get to watch Robinson interview Kotkin on UA-cam
Between the VDH and Kotkin interviews you are working OT on delivering exceptional content. Thank you!
VDH?
Victor Davis Hanson
Stephen Kotkin deserves way more applause than that.
Stephen Kotkin is one of the most insightful human beings I've ever come across. He speaks, I shut up and listen.
I always enjoy listening to an exchange with Dr. Kotkin. On patriotism, we agree completely. Mark Twain's quote about patriotism comes to mind: "Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it." Partiotism isn't conservative or liberal - it is about shared American ideals.
Great interview. I discover Professor Kotkin for the first time. He makes Probably the most meaningful comments I’ve heard on the current Ukrainian situation. Thank you for bringing it to us.
Stephen Kotkin is such a pleasure to listen to. A wealth of knowledge and insight into Russia and China, as well as ourselves, whilst also being able to deliver with humility and humour. All is not lost.
Thank you from Australia
Professor Kotkin could even teach a macrame class and make it sound amazing. Love you. Stay optomistic.
As a reasonable moderate liberal person - it is a pleasure to to listen to such a balanced well thought smart person.
I love how each question has more than one question in it. That's how you do it when you get the chance to have someone like this on your show. Excellent. 💯👍🇺🇸
i always feel optimistic after listening to Stephen Kotkin... Thank you !
Even the Comments here are so well mannered and intelligent. A great mind creates greatness.
11:10 "Imperial Japan gives way to a liberal democracy. Nazi Germany gives way to a stable liberal democracy".
Yes, because both were defeated, occupied and had democracy effectively imposed on them forcibly. Do you think Germany would have miraculously de-Nazified and democratised itself without the defeat, occupation and political control of the Allied powers? Seeing how reluctant it was to the process of de-Nazification, how quickly after WWII it announced an amnesty for war criminals etc. and what the societal mood was prevalent among the Germans for decades after WWII - no.
So Russia didn't go the path of Imperial Japan or Nazi Germany because it wasn't defeated, occupied and didn't see a new political order imposed on it. As simple as that.
Kotkin! Thanks Hoover Institution for publishing another Kotkin interview
A truly great man. A Patriot. An optimistic. A realist. A treasure.
My goodness I wish I could’ve had a prof like him years ago! Great presentation, thanks!
Doesn’t get much better! These two guys are perfect together!
The incomparable Kotkin. Smarts with humour. The most enjoyable listen on geopolitics out there. Wish he did more interviews! Must read his books.
Another excellent talk by Dr. Kotkin. Great questions and moderator. Thank you! It is so fantastic to sit on my porch in Cody, Wyoming and listen to great minds.
I love the Hoover Institution for content like this.
Glad to see that the third instalment of the "Five Questions for Stephen Kotkin series", looking forward to the fourth!
Clear, down-to-earth explanations ; a deep insight into our East European events . . Greetings from Lithuania.
Fascinating interview with Mr Kotkin, as always.
Uncommon Knowledge with Stephen Kotkin as the interviewee is one the best times spent on UA-cam.
Love listening to Kotkin, can't wait for part 3 of Stalin!!. It's a pure pleasure to listen to Stephen Kotkin. Thank you..
Always a delight to hear Stephen Kotkin in Hoover Ins. interview. Thank you.
If Dr. Kotkin would teach the "Plato to Nato" course, I would be the first to enroll! I wish I could have taken that class.
Prof. Kotkin is definitely someone I enjoy listening to, but based on his voice, I can't help but think of him as an academic Joe Pesci. Does anyone else have this impression besides me?
Knew this interview would be coming, thank you Mr. Robinson and Prof. Kotkin.
Hadn't heard about Kotkin's history of Siberia. Can't wait to read it.
I admire Stephen' Kotkin for his reference to Vietnam, and the USA being capable of winning the peace, after losing the war - this really should make Americans proud. I spent about four weeks in Vietnam in 2007, and was astonished by the people and their openness to America and other cultures as well - they are just asking for respect and the right to remember. What makes one sad, is that Ho Chi Minh, when on the search for support after their freedom fight against the French in 1954, was approaching USA first - and due to bad decisionmaking in DC, he was denied. By this, the US forced him to turn to the Russians, and the Russians again forced him to accept Chinese help. How Chinese help looks like, we all know.
This Five More Questions series is quite fun.
I am a child of the Vietnam War. When “Freedom isn’t free, you have to pay the price, you have to sacrifice, for your liberty” had to share the stage with “Who’s the one to tell me why, if I’m the one whose gotta die?” Our system then made both points of view valid.
A knitted tie! He's actually wearing a knitted tie. That makes my respect for him go up by almost as much as wearing THOSE shoes with THAT suit, brings it down.
It was very educating to listen to Kotkin. He has a very analytical, clear, pragmatic mind.
Thanks.
Stephan Kotkin should become our next Secretary of State.
Best thing about Dr. Kotkin becoming a Hoover fellow is that we get to see him on Uncommon Knowledge regularly 😂
Kotkin has the perfect approach in addressing the lack of patriotism in my generation.
I am on the left side of the American political spectrum and not particularly moderate. However, he was instrumental in making me understand that America’s shortcomings (and they are numerous) do not undo the great things we’ve achieved.
This is the perspective my generation doesn’t get to see. Instead, we are bombarded with old, out of touch men yelling at us that America is perfect or that our misdeeds are exaggerated/lies. We’re not that stupid.
Always enjoy listening to Professor Kotkin and appreciate the Hoover Institution content. It is however fascinating to me as big C Conservative institutions wrestle (or through incredible feats of cognitive dissonance fail to wrestle) with the fact that their positions are now largely championed by the mainstream Democratic party (if not necessarily the leading edge of liberalism). I'd kind of like to see this taken head on one day.
Kotkin speaks here and elsewhere of statecraft in its most lofty forms, nation building at the most expansive levels, deep appreciation for institutions, and when it comes to Taiwan, not rocking the boat too much through bluster and belligerence. Ignoring how all these positions are under sustained attack from the bulk of the contemporary Republican party strikes me as trying to talk around the elephant in the room. It strikes me that both Putin and Xi recognize that if they are going to achieve their aims it will come on the back of Republican populism. I get that Hoover tries to walk a difficult line of educating and not rocking the boat that they are sitting in, but the new Know Nothing party has real effects antithetical to almost everything Hoover states that it stands for.
Yes, this. See my similar comment if you'd like.
Bismarck on Russia: “Never fight the Russians. To your every stratagem they will respond with unpredictable stupidity.”
Excellent analysis of complex Geopolitics and history in Europe.
At 33 minutes. Wow, What a positive vision! He makes the reason for the US experience alive in our minds again. This cannot be overestimated.
ANOTHER interview with Dr. Kotkin?! My cup runneth over! Long may it do so.
A true scholar and influential person. Good to have SK. Much respect to Professor Kotkin. Thank You for this interview..
This was incredible to listen to, what an incredible mind on display!
More! Love both of you! Bring it on!
I'm sure the US can do for Ukraine what it's done for Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Lybia …
Thank you! We have been waiting for this interview with Professor Kotkin.
Kotkin's insight is worth all the time one will spend listening to him. I also keep a grain of salt handy as he tends to "toe the line" and for me that leaves a gap of perspective on the overall topic. But, knowing all that - well, well, well worth the time to listen.
Thanks both of you for the wonderful conversation.
Stephen Kotkin is simply one of the most intelligent, smart and entertaining person that I've ever heard to speak. Whether the topic is this stupid war or humanity, peace etc.
A true scholar and influential person. Good to have SK
This man is my neo historical " comfort blanket".He is like a very wise grandfather.
So exciting to see this new episode! Thank you!
"The Soviet Union was a chocolate bar"
I'll need to remember that one
Yep, without any actual chocolate bars. There was no coffee and no cream either. The builders of Communism drank acorn erzatzcoffee...
Steve talks like Tommy from "Good fellas", sure he knows about the mob :)
I was tired and should have slept already, but I couldn't get away from Mr. Kotkins words in this fantastic programm.
Re: The last question on patriotism, I would be curious about going back in time and look at polling Americans in mid-1939 or late 1916 on the likelihood/virtue of being involved in a Pacific or European War. Come to think of it, September 10th, 2001 might be one to look at for that matter. I myself remember being a High School student in the late 1970s during what President Carter called the 'Crisis of Confidence'.
But let something or someone cross a line against us? Or we elect a President to that office who understands America's potential and can mobilize public support for a worthwhile cause ("Mr Gorbachov, Tear down this wall!") and I'll think you'll be amazed,... and proud, once again.
This mans wisdom is sublime and kind. Why can't politicians be like him..
Clears the cognitive fog which surrounds our problems....
Exceptional.......
Thank you, Peter and Stephen. I could listen to your conversations all day
Finally, Kotkin!❤ greetings from Hungary
I love these interviews. Thank you
Kotkin is one of the greats of our time - his knowledge and understanding of history and current affairs is just outstanding, and he does Joe Pesci to a T!
Prof. Stephen Kotkin is such inspiring person. Real embodiment of the lifetime wisdom. Thank you for the beautiful talk.
I liked the reaction of Joe Pesci to Stephen Kotlin description of FSB and Prigorhin links and relationships: "Well, what you've just described, this is exactly like how mob operates!". Well - voila! Good morning!
With all respect, a "tank shipment description" story of Stephen Kotlin does not quite hold. Poland, Slovakia, or the Czech Republic may have been repairing Abrams tanks as these countries have facilities for that. These countries do not have facilities to repair Abrams tanks specifically, but they have a long history and tradition of building and assembling such weapons. Challenges with repair and logistic facilities are understood, but nothing has been done along these lines, even after two years of the war. If the lack of logistics or repair shops was the main reason preventing sending these armored vehicles, something could have been done to solve it. But nothing has been done. President Biden's responsibility and accountability for this inaction is probably different.
Thank you so much Peter....appreciate you and your body of work!
Love listening to Stephen Kotkin. He makes so much sense, and describes the dynamics so succinctly that you almost think, "yes, I knew that all along." I just wish the interviewer didn't have prescripted questions and/or would just shut up.
I can't help it, but whenever I hear Stephen Kotkin speak, I always think he sounds like a calm Joe Pesci.
I was just about to write this--beat me to it! lol
Great, this interviewer is so good and Kotkin is of course a boss ............
he's got the talent of a great storyteller. combine this with his knowledge it's entertaining as hell
I absolutely love how Stephen never bites Peter's hyper partisan baits.
which hyper partisan baits were those?
@@r31n0ut 1 or 2 of the questions that were closer in style to a CNN or Fox set-up, especially around US isolation. Isolation undermines the US' own regional interests and its global market dominance, this is evidentially supported, no one wants to see China set the World Trade agenda or how international laws that protect IP work. Isolation is slow self-containment, a type of containment that China is spending Trillions on their military and belt and Road initiative to break out from
@@r31n0uttrying to bait him into parroting the hard-right bullshit take that we ‘provoked’ Russia to invade Ukraine
What are you talking about? Please add a time stamp.
@@LFOD1776It wasn't there. But America is the instigator in Ukraine. Maidan coup 2014. Victoria Nulands big project.
Very intelligent conversation, but one point Mr. Kotkin doesn’t mention is, Ukraine can win all their territory back, joining EU and joining NATO like Poland or Finnland , this is their path!
Greetings from Germany 🇩🇪 🇺🇸
You are right about Ukraine, but the paths discussed were about Russia's path towards the future. That is very relevant for ukraine as it will always be their neighbor.
Mr Kotkin is a true scholar and a great communicator. The clarity, erudution and dry humor on display are a testament to this .
I also find myself in agreement with his take on patriotism, unfortunately it's a term that's been politicized and used as cover to promote chauvinism and bigotry: "Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel".
Unfortunately, I must point out that historian Kotkin seems to be misinformed this time; he appears to be making up narratives. PMCs don't have legal status in the Russian Federation. The Wagner Group was an entity established by the Military Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff, enlisting 'volunteers'. Keep in mind, the armed forces of the RF comprise conscripts, reservists, and volunteers.
Prigozhin served as the CEO of the front company, Wagner Group Centre, one of his numerous ventures. Putin confirmed that Prigozhin received payments through several contracts, in cash-a detail that implies state-sanctioned money laundering.
We are yet to discover who compensated Prigozhin for combat in Bakhmut (my suspicion leans towards 'the basin', a slush fund where all oligarchs contribute). When the Ministry of Defence ordered to directly contract Wagner's 'volunteers', Prigozhin lost the source of payment. That's the gist of it.
Damn I am getting older and in true physical pain and no end in sight . Good days are probably no more. But to lessen that reality I focus , when I can, to do two things per day: think of my children and wish them the best , second, to learn something new every day. But today I add to that list a third thing. And that is , “I truly was enlightened by Steve’s wisdom and perspective”. It’s a much better day today. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and I am better for it. Greg
Stephen K. For president!!
Prof. Kotkin is the only true American Patriot amongst this crowd of so-called ‘patriots’. Facing the issues with logical takes, not nonsensical populist views that get the country nowhere but backwards from our current position. Kudos to you, professor, hopefully the rest of the right realizes that they need to aspire to be more like you and less like the more media-hungry and selfish conservatives.
Rule #1 put down whatever book you are currently reading and watch Mr Robinson interview Mr Kotkin.
Rule #2 - you will learn more if you just stick to Rule #1