Keir Giles - Russia's Hostile Intent - Why does Russia Behave like this? What does it achieve?
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- Опубліковано 3 чер 2024
- GUEST: Keir Giles - Analyst, author and Eurasian security expert
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You may not be interested in Russia. But Russia is interested in you. Writes Kier Giles in his book: Russia's War on Everybody. Russia's full-scale attack on Ukraine in 2022 is a challenge to the West also, and has prompted a range of responses, but also hesitancy, anxiety, and caution. From the expansion of NATO to military investment planning, supply of equipment and training of Ukraine troops, the Western alliance, as well as many other countries, are in this war, whether they fully acknowledge and embrace it, or not. But Russia has been waging a clandestine war against the West for decades. Hostile acts abroad, from poisoning dissidents to shooting down airliners, interfering in elections, spying, hacking, and murdering, have long been part and parcel of Kremlin foreign policy. But what is it all for? Why does Russia consistently behave like this? And what does it achieve?
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SPEAKER:
Keir Giles has spent his career watching, studying, and explaining Russia. Keir’s work has appeared in a wide range of academic and military publications across Europe and in North America, and he is a regular contributor and commentator on Russian affairs for international print and broadcast media. He is a Senior Consulting Fellow at the UK's Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House), and also works with the Conflict Studies Research Centre (CSRC), a group of deep subject matter experts on Eurasian security formerly attached to the British Ministry of Defence. He is a regular contributor to research projects on Russian security issues in the U.S., UK, and Europe.
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BOOKS:
Russia's War on Everybody: And What it Means for You (2022)
Moscow Rules: What Drives Russia to Confront the West (2019)
The Turning Point for Russian Foreign Policy (2017)
The State of the NATO-Russia Reset (2011)
Potential Challenges to Public Order and Social Stability in the Russian Federation (2011)
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#keirgiles #ukraine #ukrainewar #russia #zelensky #putin #propaganda
#war #disinformation #hybridwarfare #foreignpolicy #communism #sovietunion #postsoviet
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CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction
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PLATFORMS:
Twitter: / curtainsilicon
Instagram: / siliconcurtain
Podcast: open.spotify.com/show/4thRZj6...
Linkedin: / finkjonathan
Patreon: / siliconcurtain
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As a Ukrainian, I have never heard so clear and precise words about the russian imperialism and the war in Ukraine, russia's war, before and anywhere on the western youtube channels. Thanks a lot.
I agree fully! this video should have 7 million views and not just 40 thousand. It reveals what UTTER IGNORAMUSES & INCOMPETENT IDIOTS ARE IN POWER IN THE WEST refusing to help Ukraine- COWARDS, HYPOCRITICAL TRAITORS SENDING 14 himars when UKRAINE NEEDS 140 etc....etc etc
Stfu. Ukrainians kept quiet when Americans were killing Iraqis so dont even mention imperialism 😂😂😂✌️
This is good too. Brilliant and incisive Ukrainian lawyer.
ua-cam.com/video/wenwG4FVGA4/v-deo.html
I agree. These two gentlemen really know what they are talking about.
It’s the collective west that supports this war…they want to destroy a Russia and America’s government believes it’s up them to bring about regime change in Russia. I’m an American and I can tell you the west (NATO) doesn’t care if Ukraine is wiped out. Will you be happy to have some other imperialism? China is looking to own the world. So is the WEF, the globalists.
All these complex thoughts about the "expansion of hot gas" were very simply formulated by Lenin: "You probe with bayonets: if you find mush, you push. If you find steel, you withdraw." Now you can see exactly how they are implemented. Therefore, Europe faces a very simple choice: resist the Russian bayonet or feel it in yourself.
With best regards from Ukraine.
Russia is the remnant of the Golden Horde and the warlike genetics 🧬 live on . Fight force with force. But how to contain a pit bull dog? You can’t, better to destroy it
You're right. We got that now. I know, very late, but let us all hope not too late. 💛💙
This mentality actually gives a major strategic advantage to Europe, IF they understand the thinking of Lenin. Give Russia a soft spot and allow them think its time to push all in, and then close the gap from behind and the flanks while letting the bayonett meet steel behind the mush! The Soviet mentality belongs in the 18th century, which is why the west has abandoned those ideologies, because they are predictable and lead to defeat.
Every European government should invite Mr. Giles to brief them on Russia.
I'll agree, and also add in the North American governments too. All three (Canada, the United States, and Mexico) would be well served to understand it better. I'd even suggest that their parliamentarians should be briefed as well, since especially in the United States and Mexico they tend to be seen as co-equal branches of government. In Canada it's more like it is here, with the PM being a member of Parliament.
I agree that a Ukrainian victory and a Russian defeat are imperative .
russia should have been nuked in 1946
Well ukrainazi have already lost so grab your tissues are cry your Nazi tears
not gonna happen
@@Ivan_the_Ripper USSR will never collapse.. oh, wait it did, thus it can, it will again. No lessons were learned..
There can never be enough Mearsheimer bashing. 🙂
*YES!*
You're so correct. He is a misguided, irrational, illogical fool.
Agree. He’s simplistic. Vlad Vexler anatomises his strengths and weaknesses perfectly!
Though Mearsheimer and Walt were spot on with “The Israel Lobby.”
Keir really knows what he's talking about. Another fantastic interview. As a Brit, I've been shocked by acts of Russian aggressiveness over a number of years in my own country, and I really didn't understand the motivations behind it. Keir's books have opened my eyes in this regard and I'm very grateful for that.
Don't even look at the colonial past of the UK. Just focus on the past 5 seconds .... that's probably all you are capable of ... and the mirror ... and the dumb face in it.
Fully agreed 👍👍👍
It's the UK and Europe having aggressive tactics done by Russia and Russian influenced people causing some fairly ugly situations.
Personally I think Brexit was partially pushed to weaken both the UK and the EU.
I don't live there, so this is looking at it from outside.
What do we do about it? Nothing. What can we really do about it? Not much other than try to catch the people in the act or before they've left the UK. The reality is that Russia does what it wants. Much like the defiant child pushes the boundaries, so does Russia. The likes of Putin, don't GAF about being pariahs. In fact they probably revel in it. Much like the bully revels in being feared by everyone.
In regards to their military actions, they almost certainly didn't expect to find themselves in mired in a bloodbath that Ukraine has made for them. It expected an easy victory and the usual round of criticism from the West without any real consequences.
The reality is, we would be silly to go to war with a nuclear power unless there really is no choice. It is much better that the Russian people themselves suffer so much that they are unwilling to accept leaders as they have. Russians need to see the rest of us as people they'd rather be friends with than rule over. Only Russians can bring their ruling classes to heal.
The Russians need to see how poor their military is and that any wars they get themselves into are going to be very very painful for them at the cost of their young men. Eventually, they will get sick of their sons dying. Russian leaders can spout as much propaganda as they like but a family that has lost a son, father, knows what they have lost.
We then have to hold out the hand so that they see we aren't against them.
@@ninemoonplanet Spot on, and I do live here. I also see it happening all up and down the globe. I think that even China sees it, and that's the reason they voted against Russia in the UN yesterday. That's almost a first for China, at least in recent years, and suggests that the meeting between Xi and Putin did not go well. There is, of course, a history between Russia and China going back to the late 19th century when Russia seized a good chunk of north eastern China. If China still had that land, it would not have the intractable water shortages they have, and Russia would not have a port for it's Pacific fleet.
Everyone should listen to this incisive , intelligent , and insightful discussion that tells it like it is ,truthfully ! There should be no doubt about Ukraine's right to exist and prevail ! Anyone who disagrees is seriuosly comprimising their morals and ethics on truth and justice !
A tremendous interview, albeit rather sobering. As well as the consistantly high quality of the guests on this channel, Jonathon deserves a great deal of praise for the quality of his questions.
A tremendous pile of projections, lies and coverup for its own disingenuous agenda of milking the world for all the UK can get. Liars are to be despised
Fantastic channel. The quality of the interviews is top tier.
This was the best interview I've heard, simply because it echoes what I have come to believe, that the Russians are stuck in the past and are unable to move forward. Sadly, it seems only total defeat will halt them. Thank you
Seems like the same with germany in ww1-ww2, you had to step to their ground to end the bullshit
lol. Perhaps it is worth considering that it is you in the West who are stuck in the past and believe that laziness, indolence, stupidity and socialism are the things that will help you to maintain world supremacy. I have some news for you ....
Exactly... Ruzzians behave like dark ages denizens and that's where they're headed when fully deprived of technology through sanctions + secondary sanctions. Slava
💙🇺🇦💛
Russia has long been accustomed to thinking and now, believing it's a major political and military power in the world. It's not, actually never has been.
Those beliefs are embedded in the world wars, where Russia has developed myths about what happened then.
Yes, the entire country is regressing, going backwards.
@@ninemoonplanet What a silly projection. The entire NATO, Washington, in particular, is obsessed with that "never was and is not a big power". Why is that? You think your feelings are more accurate than the efforts of the US government?
Crystal clear insights to sober up any sentimentality or illusion that this invasion will end with negotiations (so Stephen Kotkin)
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Well, its up to us. We could stop Orcs expansion during the Georgia invassion like the Baltic states wanted to or allow for negotiations and sweeping all that evil under the carpet again.
Anyone who is speaking of “negotiations” with the likes of Putin’s Russia or Xi’s China is either not a serious person - or is a collaborator with these fascist, authoritarian, genocidal regimes.
Yes. Despite what Noam Chomsky rambles on about in his lugubrious incantations. (Although incantations are normally “for the purpose of raising spirits”).
I mean, it will end with negotiations. The best-case scenario is still not and will never be an unconditional Russian surrender, Putin and his camarilla delivering themselves in handcuffs to the Hague, and the denazification of Russian society, politics, education, etc. At some point, Ukraine and Russia will have to negotiate, even if it’s only about the terms on which Russia evacuates Crimea and agrees to end hostilities. All we in the West can do is give Ukraine the financial, diplomatic, and military support needed to bring that outcome about.
"Turning up to a knife fight with a spoon" was excellent, extremely apt not to mention hilarious. And Keir was a fantastic guest, I hope we see more from him in future!
This guest made more sense to me than many “Russian experts”. I had not heard of him, but I am glad he mentioned Jade McGlynn whose interview on this channel was enlightening. Thank you for inviting him, it confirmed so many of my amateur impressions.
totally agree, including about Jade McGlynn. This channel has been essential for me after having been away from foreign policy world for decades. Past month the channel went from under 20K to now 27 and im not surprised. It also indicates or implies to me, that not just regular folks, but experts and gvt and military ppl are increasingly watching the channel bcuz this year will determine soooo sooo much about europe and ukr's future, and imho, the future of the first world economies and perhaps developing econ's as well.
@@18_rabbit Yes, these two guests have provided another framework for understanding Russian policy. By analogy with physics, Newtonian mechanics explains most normal phenomena, but you need quantum mechanics, which is far from intuitive, to explain unusual phenomena. To quip, we need a quantum leap in thought.
as a ukranian of USSR origin, i vouch for this expert, he really knows russia and ukraine.
What many of us feel expressed with rhetorical brilliancy. Thank you!
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Very enlightening and also disturbing. Many in "the West" need to wake up to this reality rather than clinging to illusional and wishful thinking. Thank you for this enormously important episode!
Just imagine America killed a million in Iraq. Just imagine
@@worththewatch1517 Tell me dear, when was the last time USA annexed a country’s territory? 🙄
@@its_Today_
USA annexes governments and not land. Just imagine.
@@worththewatch1517 No, the US did not. You’re off by around an order of magnitude, and most of those deaths were the result of terrorist acts by various Iraqi and foreign jihadi groups. Also don’t forget that the US removed from power a psychopathically violent dictatorship preparing to enter its second generation which had the blood of hundreds of thousands of Iranians, Kurds, Kuwaitis, and regular Arab Iraqis on its hands.
@@worththewatch1517 shitty behaviour from the US in no way excuses the Russians crappy behaviour.
An incredibly incisive interview. Thank you!
A must-see for people who hold the levers of power in Europe and in the US. The future of the world order is at stake. The old way of thinking about Russia and for that matter other petty dictators around the world just won't do.
Especially in Europe. But the Republican Party here in the US is a lost cause, having been taken over by pseudo-Christian fascists that are disloyal to 🇺🇸 and pledge unity with Putin and Russia instead of their fellow Americans, aka President Biden and any and all Democrats. The main difference between the MAGA part of the GOP and the old-guard Republicans is that one half wants to take us back to the 1950s, while the other, the *1850s.*
Meanwhile, Western politicians and businessmen of all stripes have been willing to sell out their own countries in order to do business with China. It’s rather pathetic that after all these decades, the West still hasn’t realized that it will *never* be allowed to do business freely in the Chinese markets. The CCP only allows enough Westerners into China so that the CCP can steal all of our IP and trade secrets, and then try to reverse-engineer cheaper Chinese versions of Western goods.
The West is all too ignorant and naive when it comes to the fascist, authoritarian, genocidal regimes in Russia and China. Putin and Xi are modern iterations of Hitler, Stalin, and Mao - whereas too many Western countries are channeling Vichy France.
Russia and China are our enemies and the sooner we realize it, the better we can prepare ourselves.
Yes!
Indeed, the world is changing. The dumb and lazy West thinks stupidity and indolence is a virtue ... and socialism is the way to go
whoa there! not just 'pettty' ie small dictators, but big ones in some of the biggest most important countries on earth, including some of the Brics and some arab nations.
Too much procrastination and hestitation by the West...😡
Awesome interview! Keir Giles has such a clear vision of what Russia is, what to expect from Russia now and in future. Thank you for the guest.
Wud a Russian listen to this, think they wud, might not like it, yet only the stupid will dismiss
Another brilliant conversation. At 43 you are discussing conversations with Russians that express liberal thoughts. I have lived in Ukraine and Russia for the last 30 years and see foreigners projecting their views onto statements made by Russians, or not realizing that a Russian may say ‘democracy’ or ‘empowerment’ have a totally different understanding of the words than westerners do.
He is one of those guests who put my vague thoughts into words with great accuracy. It’s tough to learn how ignorant we were/are…
It’s my first time to hear at 47:14 this clear analysis of 🇷🇺 glorification of their “crusade” against nazi Germany & liberation of its victims paved the way for this current invasion…terrifying. Thank you gentlemen for this enlightening conversation. Much appreciated🌹Please have him on your channel regularly🙏
Indeed.... banderastan ( the only country in the world that erects statues and names streets after HOLOCAUST War Criminals ) MUST, WILL and IS GETTING dismantled irrespective of the conniptions, tantrums and hysterics emanating from wherever. Eventually, the ODD-COUPLE 😮 ... and what an ODD-COUPLE it is 😅... of banderites and asskenazi khahars, along with the esteemed assistance of their degenerate lbxgt-mq-9 handlers in dc, london and brussels, will move the capital into the tchernobyl sarcophagus for permanent safety . Godspeed.
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And let's not forget that Stalin and the Soviet Union had an agreement with Hitler on attacking Poland 1939. They came from both sides. And now they celebrate as if they defeated Nazi-Germany on their own. Without GB and the USA they would not have succeeded!
As a Pole I concur completely with Keir Giles . Very good analysis , more please . Thank you .
The Poles Ukrainians and Baltic peoples know the Russians better than anyone of us in Western Europe/Anglo-sphere. 👍
As a Pole, you were brought up to hate Russians, so of course you're going to tend to agree with and appreciate the message. It would require intelligence and intellectual honesty to see the flaws in Mr. Keir Giles' narratives.
More from them would be a wonderful breath of fresh air!
@@allydea I was not brought up to hate Russia, but I see a lot of truth in what he says. I am willing to entertain other viewpoints as long as they are based in fact. What do you see as the flaws in his in his arguments? Give examples and supporting truthful evidence. I am not interested in opinion. What you provide must be based on fact, and not supposition.
@@Chompchompyerded That's an excellent approach and I support it fully. However, I cannot understand how it is compatible with there being _" a lot of truth"_ in what Mr. Giles was saying here.
I'll admit I couldn't make it past 10 minutes, I just don't have that kind of time to waste on speculation and propaganda. The critical thing that was missing in those 10 minutes from Mr. Giles was exactly factual evidence to back up his narrative.
Anyway, I'm not going to rewatch it, but off the top of my head: the guy said that Russia is using "random" missiles and drones strikes deep into the territory of Ukraine for the sole purpose of sowing terror among the civilian population, essentially terrorist acts. This was a baseless and false statement.
The crux of his narrative is that Russia is a backward country, lagging behind the civilized world by a century or more. To support this he mentions _"hostile acts abroad, from poisoning dissidents to shooting down airliners, interfering in elections, spying, hacking, and murdering"._
Pardon me, but are these really unique to Russia? Perhaps the poisoning is a Russia special, but what else? Hostile acts abroad?? How about good old US of A with wars all over the Middle East, Libya, etc. I guess you can say that at least the US does not discriminate, because their hostile acts abroad target both friend and foe (see Nord Stream sabotage). Interfering with elections? USA again but they're better at it than Russia. Spying, hacking? Not a good time to bring these up, with the recent Teixeira leaks: USA again. The downing of the airliner was a clear accident, no person in their right mind, whether they think Russia or Ukraine bears more responsibility, would think that was an intentional act.
His argument was DOA.
But I'm curious in what you thought was so great in what he was saying. Maybe you can give some examples of your own.
Victory to Ukraine. Victory to the heroes of 🙌 👏 Ukraine 🇺🇦.
Thoroughly enjoying these insightful interviews, much appreciated. 👍
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This interview/ conversation, to me, is one of the most important you have done, and just as eye-opening as with Jade McGlynn as few months ago. I had to rewind and re-listen many times, it took me 3 hours to watch. Not that I didn't already, bit by bit, know and agree on much of what Keir Giles said, but he put it all into context. Now I have a number of people I _must_ show this. Thank you.
I feel exactly the same and done the same. Six hours later I feel much invigorated…
Very educational and insightful. I wish our American politicians would pay attention to this discussion. Our academics could also learn something.
To be fair, some of your academics are very knowledgeable on this topic. Timothy Snyder, for example, is no slouch :-)
This is a stunning conversation. It should be translated into Russian, so that Russians can look in the mirror.
They know it. And they don't care. Only thing that they care is not to find themself personally on the line of gunfire.
@@Andrey-kn6yg or in a gulag or without the bling and Western material good the Russian Bourgeoise love to wear enjoy and flaunt at home and abroad. Russia is one of the most morally, ethically bankrupt nations of people on the planet. This coming from someone who spent a great deal of time there ver the past 40 years. Most Russians I have met have little understanding of the concept of self reflection, accountability, or community. I don't see it ever changing.
do you think listening the truth will change the millions of Trump followers that the election wasnt stolen....same scenario
@@ldhorricks very insightful. Thank you.
@@ldhorricks you're a very brave man. Survived in Russia for 40 years? That's better than most Russian men that I've met. Nost of them just want to drink themselves to death.
Another piece of top class scholarship and insight. Well done Jonathan for bringing this to us.
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Just the usual nonsense, coming from people who project typical fake narratives
@@user-lq5yo7qt8f Go home you're drunk
@@user-lq5yo7qt8fhilarious listening to such pitiful projection
Every interview peels another layer off, what us to most of us, is a kind of unfathomable poisonous onion that seems to defy compression. Another fantastic interview, thank you.
comprehension?? (although might be worth trying compression??)
@@davidwright5094 Spelling Nazis are such a pain. It's predictive text correction most of the time numb nuts. This kind of snid BS is what makes people, especially kids in school, people who didn't have the benefit of a full education or people learning a language, afraid to express themselves; it's pointless and quite sad.
Finally, a Western intellectual who understands Russia and Russian history and the myth of the good Russian just waiting to embrace Liberalism.
I would LOVE for you to debate Noam Chomsky, Jeremy Corbyn or even John Mearsheimer. I think you would be ideal for this...
That would be pretty crazy- but why not?!
@@SiliconCurtain I agree it's pretty crazy but these people keep pushing pro-Kremlin narratives and I have yet to see any real pushback.
Jeffrey Sachs, Anatol Lieven, Marlene Laruelle, Richard Sakwa, Vladimir Pozner, Katrina Vanden Heuvel, Dr Nicolai Petro.
That Dudayev 1995 prophecy was chilling, and heartbreaking. How could everyone else have missed it.
Thank you for providing such an insightful view of Russian society and politics.
... which of course it is nothing of the sort. In the best case, it tells that Russia is no different than any other major power
@@user-lq5yo7qt8f Tell me you didn’t understand the discussion without telling me you didn’t understand the discussion.
Fantastic content, thank you for putting this into the world
Excellent program and a terrific guest. Thank you.
Best interview yet. Clear-headed, insightful guest. Any chance he could talk some sense into western 'leaders'?
Excellent! The best summary of how I perceive the Russian imperial bent.
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Thank you so much! The clearest and the most logical explanation I ever heard. In fact, Russian population needs denazification and defragmentation into a different independent states. That's what will really solve the problem.
The dissolution of the United States will solve not just this but all world problems!
Russia is the last colonial empire that hasn't decolonised yet.
No words for how much I looove this particular interview!! So many topics addressed that I've been musing over by myself. 😍🤩🥳😅
Very interesting and enlightening interview. It’s very hard to fight an authoritarian regime where media is so tightly controlled as opposed to the freedom of speech in “The West”. Never take freedom for granted.
What a great discussion, a lot of attention to detail, more people need to hear this!
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Like & share on social media. Reach doesn't come of itself
Incredibly insightful and highly eloquent by both participants. I felt I was listening to thinkers who are way above the familiar Russian experts that have been so prominent in the media since the invasion.
I can see from glancing at other comments that this interview has had a profound effect on viewers. Very impressive and of course I subscribed as a result!
Thank you. I also feel this is one of the strongest videos on the whole channel!
@Silicon Curtain If I might add an observation. What struck a chord with me, and probably others, is the quite terrifying implications of the reality of Russian thinking. Instead of focusing on Putin and his thinking, the emphasis was on a sort of State that is more out of a Sci fi horror movie. A state that moves into any vacuum and replicates its thinking into the host poulation. Straight out of the movie Alien. Yet that seems to be what is being described. The example of Chechen is powerful. A state that not that many years ago detested the Russian regime now is in total unison. It has been " absorbed" and reprogrammed. In addition, the emphasis on the West's delusional search for the "sensible and good" Russian liberals who will prevail over the autocratic regime is shown here to be a pipedream.
@@Richard-hv5hh 👍...very well put, excellent description... the ramifications of which are also frightening!!!
This is brilliant. The topic is not new, many commentators have spoken of these subjects but none have put it in such clear terms.
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You said just what I thought. This was a collection of thoughts other quests have told and all that was circling in my mind and it was now put in clearly understandable sentences. Mind-blowing experience.
Big thank you for this interview from Poland.
One of the most interesting and insightful discussions about Russia ,I've seen. Thank you so much!
Thank-you for your time and educational broadcasts with content that matters in the world today. A "must listen to" by world leaders, fingers crossed.
Brilliant analysis. Keir has a sharp mind. His comments have laser precision, directed to the core of the issue.
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It is really sad how Russia is behaving instead of integrating with the West. I worked a lot with Russia in 2008-2012 when Russian/European relations got better and better, Russia was starting to get rich etc. Sadly Putin and his kleptocrat friends came in and destroyed a nascent democracy and free press. I think Russia's behaviour is because Putin need an external enemy to justify his own dictatorship in a classic 1984 manner. The difference with Eastern Europe who has rapidly become much richer and fully integrated with the West after the fall of communism and the Soviet empire is amazing and shows where Russia could have been if Putin had not turned it into a dictatorship!
One totally overlooked fact is that Russia is NOT Europe. Russia is a separate civilization: white skinned people with the mindset of Genghis Khan plus a fair measure of maskirovka (deception) for the benefit of useful idiots in the west. .
Russia won't be pacified unless there is a revision of the territorial-political arrangements there.
Did you listen to this interview ?!?
That period you describe was the ABNORMAL !!!!!
@@mslayous1 Shut up vatnik.
@@mslayous1 no.
People are attributing rationality to Mr. Putin's actions where none exists. I would challenge anyone to go to your local nursing home, grab any dementia patient then put him/her in charge of the Russian state. You'd get a similar completely irrational outcome.
Maybe even a better outcome, because your average OAP is not a sociopathic kleptomaniac…
Yes, while on the other hand they are saying that it is a national issue with all Russians, hmmm?
Putin is compensating for Erectile Dysfunction
What a BS!!! YOU DON'T KNOW NOTHING!!!
Highly recommend Philip Short's Putin biography if you want to grow out of this childish delusion.
Best analysis I have ever heard. Great job!
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I've seen that interview with Dudayev. It's eerie how much he saw coming, but I guess having an inside view of that system made it very clear to him. He was a good man.
Highly enlightening interview. I really value your podcasts, Jonathan. I am eagerly awaiting the next one! 🇺🇦✌️
"Turning up with a knife fight, with a spoon" Brilliant Jonathon; my limited bandwidth is unable to retain the number of insights coming from yourself and Kier Giles about Russia's involvement in this catastrophe, in which we are all immersed; one of them stands out in my consciousness, is the the extent of our, the liberal West's acquiescence, compliance and in many cases collusion with Russia's regime particularly since the break up of the Soviet Union.
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Your guests are superb as is our interview style. Love you channel.
Excellent interview . Thank you Jonathon for your work . As someone who's lived in Russia for over 10 years so much of what Kier was saying resonated with me especially VICTIMHOOD, its everywhere apart of course from where it should be directed .
My ex daughter in law was of Russian descent from Ukraine. Always was a victim, never her fault, no proactive planning to avoid social differences, or a simple thank you.
So many of my questions about Russia and it's tyranny so wonderfully explained in this amazing thoughtful interview.
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This discussion of Russia and the Russian psyche is the best explanation of the topic I have heard. It would be a wonderful and useful idea if the leaders of the Western countries, together with perhaps the leaders of those countries acquiescing to Russia’s aggression, watched this video and internalized its salient points.
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I do wish more decision makers could watch this video in particular…
Great interview, for me it gets right back to fundamentals, and we noted this before, and we corresponded on it, - 2023 in "the West" is 1623 or 1723 in Russia, including their autocracy, serfdom, (absence of freedom), and their "aristocracy", (oligarchs) , the brutality, secret police, and in those centuries War and invasion, was a normal part of the toolbox of governing. Another reason which was not covered was the isolation of Russia from the West, both by choice during USSR, and also because of geography. Indoctrination, and propaganda, are the usual tools for governing , and Russian ideas of Greatness and Empire are amplified by regenerative personal pride.
Atleast since the times of Ivan the terrible
Enlightening dialog. Many thanks.
Thanks. This is a great interview with persuasive observations and insights.
I think this interview gave me a better understanding of Russia's real intent and thinking than any other interview or speech I've seen before. It's clear to me now that I've been too naive in the past about Russia. I couldn't believe that there wasn't some sort of rational thinking behind their moves - meaning something that we would recognize as rational here in the West. But as depressing as it is, it really does seem that we can't solve our differences with Russia with words and diplomacy.
Thanks! I am happy to have discovered and subscribed "Silicon Curtain" - you present the best interviews!
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Great interview. Nice dose of real politik from Mr Giles. Many people mistake understanding Putin’s NATO concerns for justification of the invasion and expansionism.
Events can be related but not causal. US backed NATO expansion, while problematic, did not require Russia to respond with an invasion. But evidently that was the preferred response, and here we are.
NATO expansion isn’t problematic, except to Russia’s imperial ambitions. NATO wasn’t aggressively expanding. The former Soviet and Warsaw Pact countries applied for membership specifically for protection from Russia. They knew the Russians would eventually try to subjugate them again if they didn’t have that shield. Fortunately we in the US didn’t let our optimism about Russia joining the 21st century blind us quite enough to deny them membership.
Sobering interview, there is indeed too much wishful thinking amongst western politicians regarding Russia. Well, you hit the ball out of the park yet again Johnathan, another excellent interview.
A compelling, important conversation that shows the naivety of many positions held about Russia and this war. Very illuminating!
Thanks for this.
Brilliant discussion by the way. Thx gentlemen. The JF point about militarizing Donbass, and enslaving territories was spot on.
Good stuff! But on Germany I think a little dismissive. Germany was shocked by this war and is very much changing. And Germany being Germany they are processing this silently but thoroughly.
I think the changing of foreign minister and the evolution of the debate on sending arms (which was an absolute no no before this invasion started) can attest to that.
Maybe you have to be Dutch to see it.😄
France I don't know, maybe we must ask the good people in Belgium 🙃
I've commented on Russia on hundreds of threads, channels, pocasts you name it, over the past year and half...and all I seem to be able to come up with "What to do about Russia?...in some ways the one thing we cant let them do is be the Russia it desires to be.
Yes, if it always causes a random leaks of little green men to neighboring countries
silicon curtain is a great channel , one of those quality gems of the internet that deserve a larger digital footprint than they're getting
happy to like and subscribe and comment for you and your guests!
Russia is about primitives. The mindset is back in Neanderthal times. The Kremlin has the largest country in the world with practically unlimited natural resources however it lacks the 21st Century thinking to exploit what is already has. So tragic to witness a country with such ancient instincts that have so far cost the lives of 190,000 of its people.
Extremely valuable insight. If you want to understand the rather enigmatic psychology of Putin look no further than the recommendations and explanations brought out in this excellent discussion. As a military student of everything Russian for many years with a couple of years accredited to the GSFG in the GDR, and including being labelled a "Putinologist" the tragedy in miscomprehension in the West will extend the "twisting of history" and its consequencs for the Ukraine will last for a very long time. Slava Bogu, i slava Ukraiini.
We need to help the Ukrainian people with soldiers and go all the way to Moscow and dismantle these apes for the sake of world peace
Finally someone who expressed my feelings about the likes of Mearsheimer et al. I've been arguing against his out of touch non-reality for years and especially in the last year and half.
Two gentlemen with radio voices, television faces, and that most precious of commodities: wisdom.
Aw, what a nice thing to say! Better than radio faces, reality TV intellects, and silent movie voices…
@@SiliconCurtain 🤣🤣🤣
40:20 HA! here you have clearly disassociated yourself from your marketing experience!
The successful modern media juggernaut will leverage every advantage afforded by user engagement metrics. You don't need to be "Tucker Curtain," but it would not hurt to fall a little short of _Encyclopædia Britannica's_ editorial standards now and again.
(BTW, I am not a stalker nor a lurker, nor do I even have a crush on you. Do not worry!)
Thanks a lot Mr. Keir Giles and Mr. Jonathan Fink for your very intersting hard talk resp. facts about Russia and the West. Further I was also listening to the Russian writer Michail Schischkin who lives in Switzerland. My name is Ulrich and I am a 76 year old Swiss interested in World Politics.
Kind regards,
👍 thanks for listening, and for your thoughtful comment. Michail Shishkin is a very interesting writer, for sure.
Very interesting. Let's hope our Foreign Office listens to this and absorbs its important points.
agree utterly with what he said
A truly insightful interview. I hope it goes wide. Thanks!
So pleased for the validation of my longtime assertion that nations (and businesses) go through a life from birth to old age and death. Just as we are all at different stages of our lives, so are the countries of the world. The problem is to determine at what stage each is at, so as to communicate with them appropriately.
We are all in this war, the Russian policy under Putin very cruel to their own internally as well what should motivate all of us. Keir Giles really puts it together logically very difficult to unravel why in this day and age. Can't agree more thanks for bringing his work and thinking work to my attention was thinking along those lines but unable to unwrap it.
Be great to see you guys address Colonel MacGregor propaganda very damaging to Ukraine pro Putin.
I hope I am wrong, but I sometimes feel like the current US military leaders are too closely comfortable with a Russia that is a superpower. They seem to consistently be underestimating Ukraine and holding back in its confrontation with Russia, looking to somehow preserve Russia.
Russia is not a superpower, its economy is at a scale of spain. Its more like saudis with nukes
Many in power in the US grew up with the idea that the USSR was a superpower. It’s hard for them to get that idea out of their heads, even though the USSR was on a steep downslope after the 1960s, and is now a pathetic shell of even the late 80s version of the USSR. Yes, Russia still has nukes (although it’s debatable whether their numbers are accurate or whether they function), but you can’t be a superpower with an economy smaller than two US states and an army that is struggling militarily in Ukraine. Say what you will about Vietnam or Afghanistan (or Iraq, even though that was an outright win), but the US military dominated those conflicts.
Keir Giles makes absolutely perfect
Sense. I will be looking into his recent book.
What to do about it is to cut the Evil State down to size by sending it
Back to the Dark Ages it loves so much.
I just watched this one again today and it hasn't dated at all and never will be dated. Definitely worth setting aside the time to have a look.
This is my absolute favourite interview of them all:
Just hit this one up for the 3rd time now, it's part of the "mother lode"!
I see no other way out then to disable the Russian war capabilities. Physicaly or economicaly.. I think it is useles to discus the '"Russian people" same as dicussing "Chinese people" they have no agency
I hope western leaders take note of this conversation ,they could skip years of frustration if they do !!!
I wish they would!!!
fantastic interview! thanks for doing this work - from Romania, at the edge of this potential abyss... I will definitely look up other material with Mr Giles
So right to the point!! 💯👏👏👏
Very good guest and excellent interview.
The Russian perspective has been grossly overlooked and it serves us well to be be called up for assuming that an end to hostilities will be an end to the Russia problem. Thanks for your insights.
Thank you very much for yet another great enlightenment
This should be shown on BBC tv.
It's the most in-depth analysis of the current situation and it's historical backdrop I've ever seen.
One of my favourite interviews on the channel…
Thank you for clearing this up.
Societies evolve from tribalism, through barbarianism to civilisation. Russia is mired in barbarianism. The "West" can collectively be seen as the countries that have evolved to civilisation. It includes plenty of Asian countries. Africa and the Pacific are mostly still operating in a tribal model, which is still better than barbarianism. There is safety in tribal and civilised societies. Tribalism trades it for submitting to the will of the tribe. Civilised societies give safety unconditionally. Barbarianism offers no safety. You fate on any given day is subject to the whim of in incumbent strongest and most brutal barbarian.
Excellent, brilliant incite!!
Here is my attempt at one polished rewording of your nailing it:
Societies advance through distinct phases, commencing with tribalism, progressing through a stage of barbarism, and ultimately attaining civilization. Presently, Russia grapples with aspects of barbarism, while the "West" typically embodies countries that have achieved a civilized status, including many Asian nations. Africa and the Pacific mainly persist within tribal frameworks, which are nevertheless more favorable than barbarism. Tribal and civilized societies both offer a degree of protection for the individual's life and happiness; however, tribal societies frequently demand compliance with the group's consensus. In contrast, civilized societies provide safety unconditionally, prioritizing the individual's rights and well-being, which is the fundamental purpose of governance. Barbarism, conversely, grants minimal to no assurance for an individual's life, as one's destiny is frequently determined by the caprice of the most dominant and brutal individuals.
@@dennisgarber I would add that Muskovy started as a princedom that thrived under the mongol scourge, by backstabbing their neighbours. They bent the knee to a brutal horde and eventually became their successors. The war against Ukraine is a no holds barred type of brutal devastation of the land and people, where they immediately recruit the conquered people to continue the fight against their neighbours. We can be grateful that putin's rule has been a kleptocracy where the oligarchs in charge are stealing from the system on such a ubiquitous scale that their logistics are in complete disarray.
@@hitchensghost and they have been doing it since 12th century?
Or I could be wrong by a few hundred of years? It started definitelly before subjugating Novogrod ( not sure about spelling ).
The Western world is devolving back into tribalism. The entire Woke movement is a swerve into tribalism and it has the force of law behind it. And the tools of oppression have never been stronger. Digital currency is about the government being able to selectively defund troublesome subjects. A Bond villain could become a more attractive choice than what is available to us now.
Ah yes, firebombings, carpet bombings, drone strikes, and even nuclear bombings = peak civilization.
Amazing conversation! I learned a lot.
Amazing!!!
👍👍👍
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@@SiliconCurtain thx mate
Human instincts have not changed, but our behaviours have. Sadly the former is still rife within the Russian mentality.
Maybe as mentioned, a defeated Russia will change from instinct to acting with better behaviour?
If Russia can't obey international rules based order why is its place in the UN security council still tolerated?
Something to do with several thousand nuclear weapons and a history of complete indifference to massive population loss.
@@paulstewart6293 Russia mentality to the sanctity of life is and has been very poor. Human bodies that end up as pure cannon fodder is sadly part of their thinking. One death is tragic, 1 million is pure statistic.
As s Russian I am very glad there is such a comprehensive and clear understanding that your guest has shown. I have not seen the name before. But I find the accents, tonality and focus of his remarks very much on point with my own. In part that is surprising (to me personally) - for all the latter years of Cold War we were opined about by people in the West of much hawkish dispositions and the Soviet threat. Not without the grounds for that, but still with a lot of omissions. And with time passed I see that a more realistic and insightful view has developed about the Russia that you do not know, that is not the glossy covers and not the major cities. I wish this voice would have been more publicly known.
A superb, compelling interview. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
I hope our political leaders watch this episode. It is extremely valuable.
It's a bit of a shock to realize that although Russia is technologically modern, it is in some ways still stuck in the 19th century.
As someone who has lived under the Iron Curtain I can tell you these honest folks are thinking about Russians in the way they are used to thinking of their own compatriots (who have had the freedom to say that 2+2=4 all of their lives). 4of5 people in the Eastern bloc were state collaborators and this is crucial to factor in while making a judgement about how Russians aren't revolting. My grandfather did 13 years hard time in re-education camps just for saying one time during a dinner party how doctors shouldn't be payed less than assembly line workers (which they were at the time).
I hope you see that I'm not defending the lack of revolt but I want everyone to have a clear picture that they can't revolt even if they wanted to: their brain is physically wired differently, like willful schizophrenia. Not only can you not live the truth, but you can't even think it, let alone speak it. You end up living in two realities simultaneously where you become the warden to your own prison, of your own accord. REvolutions in the East only happened after the army turned against the dictators, and the masses didn't have much say. The protests and revolts were simply coincidence or afterthought. I wouldn't expect the Russian population to make a move until they start to die of hunger...
Awesome discussion. Two intellectuals have made a tremendous impression on me! Thank you and keep them coming!
Such a valuable commentary. Thank you Silicon Curtain for your continued (positive) contributions to our future.
A excellent interview which deepens my convictions about Russian aggression.
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