Stephen Kotkin: What Putin Got Wrong About Ukraine, Russia, and the West

Stephen Kotkin: What Putin Got Wrong About Ukraine, Russia, and the West | Foreign Affairs Interview

Рет қаралды 348,843

Жыл бұрын

Foreign Affairs invites you to listen to its podcast, the Foreign Affairs Interview. This episode with Stephen Kotkin was originally published on May 26, 2022.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February, the world has contended with the stakes of the conflict, and what the war means for Russia’s relationship with the West-and beyond. Should Russia still be considered a great power? What in Russia’s past explains the mistakes it’s making today? Will unity in the West outlast the war? What is Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ultimate goal in Ukraine, and is it changing?
Stephen Kotkin is the author of seminal scholarship on Russia, the Soviet Union, and global history, including an acclaimed three-volume biography of Joseph Stalin. He is a professor at Princeton University and a fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford. Kotkin brings formidable historical depth and a sharp sense of the current geopolitical landscape to these questions about Russia, Putin’s leadership, and Ukraine’s future.
We discuss why Russia’s capabilities too often fall short of its ambitions, why Putin underestimated the West (and why the West tends to underestimate itself), what China is learning from Russia’s experience, and what could happen next in Ukraine.
SOURCES FOR THIS EPISODE
“The Cold War Never Ended” by Stephen Kotkin
www.foreignaffairs.com/review...
“Russia's Perpetual Geopolitics” by Stephen Kotkin
www.foreignaffairs.com/articl...
“The Fantasy of the Free World” by Shivshankar Menon
www.foreignaffairs.com/articl...
Read More by Stephen Kotkin
www.foreignaffairs.com/author...

Пікірлер: 302

@tabithan2978 Жыл бұрын

And they say liberal arts majors like historians are no longer needed. This guy is proof they are essential. This guy makes more sense than any computer programmer I've heard.

@kenkearns4616 Жыл бұрын

Excellent interview, this guy makes more sense of geopolitical issues than anyone else I have listened to.

@markb8468 Жыл бұрын

Agreed

@gmw3083 Жыл бұрын

It takes two to tango. Kotkin ignores American hegemony and nato aggression. Putin attempted to join nato, but being that nato can't exist without its main enemy, that couldn't happen. Maybe try Jeffrey Sachs.

@michaeldelisieux5252 Жыл бұрын

Agree!

@Alex-hu5eg Жыл бұрын

As a hungarian (who knows a thing or two about russia) I've been constanty blown away by the amount of insights he provides.

@gnazlis Жыл бұрын

When I see a Kotkin interview, I "thumbs up" before I even start listening... I've never regretted my decision!

@paulh2468 Жыл бұрын

Fantastic! If Dr. Kotkin had his own weekly show, I'd be the first to subscribe. Despite being almost a year old, this interview was still highly educational.

@martinarijsbergen4270 Жыл бұрын

Stephen Kotkin has this beautiful ability to clearly outline the big picture and always makes me feel better and I am very happy we have great thinkers still amongst us!

@KellyEngstrom Жыл бұрын

Dr. Kotkin, what a gift you are during this turbulent time. Your 'intellectual humility' makes your voice the most trustworthy one in the podcast era we live in right now.

@briancase6180 Жыл бұрын

If Stephen Kotkin is talking, I'm listening. Thanks for bringing more of his wisdom, knowledge, and insight to us. He should be more widely known, and citizens of the US should be required to hear his analysis of history and international affairs. He can hold nearly anyone's interest!

@dixienormous8444 Жыл бұрын

I never miss a word this guy says. Thank you for the great conversation!

@markb8468 Жыл бұрын

Same!

@thecount1001 Жыл бұрын

i'm surprised more people don't pay attention or even know who he is. his intelligence combined with an uncommonly listenable voice and delivery make him my preferred 'go to', intellectual.

@metmeningen463 Жыл бұрын

Love to listen to this calm, wise, amiable and fair professor dr.Kotkin! Thank you!

@mikecamacho1934 Жыл бұрын

Stephen doesn't only parrot history, he breaks down the psychology, sociology and philosophy of that history. An unbelievable resource.

@michaelroark2019 Жыл бұрын

One of the most impressive characteristics of Stephen Kotkin is his intellectual humility. Few other scholars speak about this virtue. It is refreshing.

@thecount1001 2 ай бұрын

unlike John Mearsheimer, his polar opposite in style and perspective.

@mychalharris Жыл бұрын

Stephen Kotkin is simply the master of interleaving historical fact with current ground truth to derive reason based analysis. That, coupled with rhythmic storey-telling creates a great listening experience.

@muchamad613 Жыл бұрын

As a Belarusian, I find this 83% accurate. The rest of 17% I blame on my own experience, which forms my own lense. So, it is very accurate.

@Aussie-Mocha Жыл бұрын

After every single interview with Kotkin , I have to sit back, take 5mns to evaluate everything he says. I usually end up laughing. It’s a laughter coming from a place of being overwhelmed at how comprehensively genius this man is. Mearshiemer was the 1st person I heard talking about Russia vers west issue but when I came across Kotkin , Mearshiemer suddenly sounded like a propaganda mouthpiece. Slava Ukraine 🇺🇦 US must show some teeth right at the top. Because so far we haven’t yet convinced Putin/Russia that they can’t achieve anything.

@michaelk5825 Жыл бұрын

Gotta love this guy. Steven Kotkin is believable and extremely well informed. I just hope Western leaders listen to him.

@albertwalker8994 Жыл бұрын

So refreshing to hear reality effectively and clearly articulated.

@rafaromanozademelmac6095 11 ай бұрын

As a Pole, I am always surprised and shocked how much the West does not understand this current war and its context. But this is the absolutely brilliant interview. One of the few experts who speak sense.

@considerthis7712 Жыл бұрын

Kotkin as a historian is a joy, insightful and display of clarity amongst a large proportion of mass media ignorance, bias, prejudice, fear mongering and self interest.

@marycampbell3431 Жыл бұрын

This interview is from May 2022. I'd like to hear Prof. Kotkin's view on the situation eleven months later.

@robleahy5759 Жыл бұрын

He has given five or more interviews available on KZfaq since this date. Enjoy his addendum.

@Conn30Mtenor Жыл бұрын

Men and women like Professor Kotkin remind us that academics are still highly relevant.

@elspeth8476 Жыл бұрын

Stephen Kotkin is beyond insightful. He should be a household name.

@niklashansen8594 Жыл бұрын

It's scary how perfectly fluent and yet melodic this man speaks! Sounds almost as if he would read from a paper

@stianmathisen4284 Жыл бұрын

Stephen Kotkin`s contributions is existential level important combining great history lessons with great analytic and philosophic skill!!

@chrishooge3442 Жыл бұрын

I found Kotkin's assessment of Putin very illuminating. It explains why he's not only out of his element but also head of a state that is being stripped down to the foundation by oligarchs and courtiers.

@OziBlokeTimG Жыл бұрын

Stephen Legend Kotkin ❤

@guardiangypsy2682 Жыл бұрын

Great interview... I wish everyone would take time to listen to Stephen, full of common sense ❤

@tonyholmes962 Жыл бұрын

Blows all those private school boys away every time.

@johnstewartrichards5922 Жыл бұрын

“Prediction is difficult- particularly when it involves the future.” - Mark Twain

@MB-to5gl Жыл бұрын

The moment I see written or spoken word by Mr. kotkin I stop, read or listen intently. Just love Mr. kotkin.

@bpurkapi Жыл бұрын

Kotkin is a great historian and worth listening to.

@marionkapp49 11 ай бұрын

What a privilege to listen to this masterful interview and be able to benefit from Mr Kotkin's expert explanations and background history so that we can have an understanding of this most complex horror that is the invasion of Ukraine. Most of us in urban far flung Western countries grapple with the rationale and motives of an aggressive, brutal Russia that's hell bent on wiping out Ukraine by pounding civilian apartment blocks, hospitals, schools etc. Thank you for your presentation, your humbleness and your professionalism. You have enlightened me not only regarding the Russian perspective, but the wonderful spirit of our Western world. You are right, we have almost become accepting that our Western world was doomed because we had become weak and self indulgent, when despite the shortcomings, greed and mistakes, we are far from being irrelevant and in fact are mightier than any of us imagined.

@cdmcmxcvi1249 Жыл бұрын

Professor Kotkin is a national treasure.

@craigshagin5506 Жыл бұрын

Excellent presentation. Events are their own force and all we can do is adhere to what we believe is right. This works in favor of one side 100% of the time. It might even be the good side. However , doing nothing because you are not assured of an outcome guarantees that you will amount to nothing.

@charlesandrews2360 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for bringing this to us. Always good to get Stephen's current thoughts. He is hands-down the most informed expert on this subject that I've ever seen or read

@volkodavav Жыл бұрын

Always inspired by Stephen Kotkin's honesty and deep understanding of complex geopolitical issues, and this interview on the war in Ukraine was no exception. His insights shed light on the root causes of the conflict and the challenges facing Ukraine, as well as the broader implications for regional and global security. I appreciate his nuanced analysis and would love to see more of his expert commentary on youtube and other platforms. Thank you, Stephen Kotkin, for sharing your wisdom and expertise!

@GenXstacker 10 ай бұрын

Kotkin is largely correct, but I think he slightly overestimates the dominant position of the West. The fact is that we have saddled ourselves with unsustainable levels of debt. Since we froze Russia's bank reserves, foreign central banks have switched from buying Treasurys to loading up on gold. Russia is a major gold producer and commodity powerhouse. Commodities are a hedge against inflation. The US economy is gradually becoming a smaller percentage of the total world economy. So while the US remains world hegemon, we are definitely moving into a multipolar world. As Kotkin said, it is important to remain humble and avoid overconfidence.

@RP-gx5wv Жыл бұрын

Excellent interview and Kotkin always talks on topics in a balanced sense. Well done.

@wiv2631 Жыл бұрын

The clarity and adroitness of Kotkin's mind never ceases to amaze me.

@yellowbug5113 Жыл бұрын

This man is so incredibly interesting. I need to hear more of what he has to say.

@lostkey1 Жыл бұрын

Spot on.

@dueldab2117 Жыл бұрын

Used to read your magazine back in my 20’s. So excited to see you have a KZfaq channel! Subbed automatically.

@foreignaffairs Жыл бұрын

Thank you for coming back.

@paulmakinson1965 Жыл бұрын

I totally agree with this gentleman. I just don't think president Macron gets it.

@johnoconnor4572 Жыл бұрын

Brilliant, just bloody brilliant. The man is a genius, proves that history is, and always will be, essential and must never be ignored!!!!!!

@frankshifreen Жыл бұрын

Great analysis-deep understanding

@jonathaneffemey944 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for posting.

@robertciesluk7207 Жыл бұрын

It was exellent lecture.... Thanks a lot. Greetings from Warsaw 🇵🇱

@dabbyj509 Жыл бұрын

Thanks Stephen for us for the update much appreciated 👍

@frederikbjerre427 Жыл бұрын

Wow, what an insight. One thing Putin never foresaw was the public outrage in the western world, people going to the streets calling for action, from the very beginning and thus putting pressure on the politicians to act. While politicians rather would warn about the price for cutting of gas from Russia, people saw a new Munich 38 and rejected it firmly. Now we have to stand by Ukraine til the very end and rightly so. Slava Ukrainini.

@Blanka1100 Жыл бұрын

Some people saw it coming long time ago. Russia's neighbours in the first place. They have been warning for years.

@tylerrichards6456 Жыл бұрын

Stephen Kotkin is just amazing

@thusspokezarathustra Жыл бұрын

Absolutely brilliant situational overview, executed with flawless insight only a scholar such as Stephen Kotkin could muster.

@2Oldcoots Жыл бұрын

WOW!! Thank You Sirs for so much insight and information!!!

@tobyblur Жыл бұрын

Excellent. Please do more.

@susanbalog8355 Жыл бұрын

excellent as always...

@jjforcebreaker Жыл бұрын

Hell yes Stephen Kotkin!

@thegeneralist7527 Жыл бұрын

I admire Dr Kotkin thoughtful analysis.

@ridethecurve55 Жыл бұрын

Anything Stephen Kotkin and I'm There. He's the sharpest, most insightful person on Russian geopolitics. Thank you for this updated perspective, Dr. Kotkin!

@junopuno7011 Жыл бұрын

He is really good, if not very very good, excellent interview.

@malikshabazz2065 Жыл бұрын

this is great!

@clairebaum Жыл бұрын

A brilliant lecture !Thank you for this

@sorbethyena3828 Жыл бұрын

more Mr. Kotkin, nice

@charleshouser3123 11 ай бұрын

Excellent on many levels. Thanks.

@PaulineCook-fy5po Жыл бұрын

Thanks, very insightful.

@Stickyman61 Жыл бұрын

Lovely. Great speaker.

@iandeeming2654 Жыл бұрын

This interview was fantastic thank you. I'll be looking for more from Stephen Kotkin.

@FrankFaulkner-qf8cb Жыл бұрын

Excellent

@vman505 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for putting deep perspective on this critical topic.

@TheRamsesII 10 ай бұрын

So, Kotkin finally addresses the views from the other side with an argument that still dismisses the views from the other side.

@Giorg189 Жыл бұрын

How dare you make such good interviews that I see a static picture for 40 minutes and cannot get away just because I want to listen to the next what the guest has to say.

@comradem0lotov Жыл бұрын

I found myself both agreeing and disagreeing with Mr. Kotkin. I am indebted to him for his monumental work on Stalin and the USSR, which will stand the test of time.

@rodolfofernandez9174 Жыл бұрын

Great analysis!!!

@MultiCappie Жыл бұрын

I think Kotkin communicates in a very good way for me to understand.

@unfixablegop Жыл бұрын

"Systems select their leaders" - excellent.

@marcoarteaga1010 11 ай бұрын

God bless Mr.Kotkin, thank you FA for the content…..just gained a new subscriber here

@paulburkholder9690 Жыл бұрын

I so want to hear Dr. Kotkin lecture in person. He is so reasonable, articulate and humble and of course brilliant.

@en7814 Жыл бұрын

god bless stephen kotkin

@W.Khairi Жыл бұрын

Quite an insightful insight, Thank u.

@mixisixi2367 Жыл бұрын

Excellent interview! There is a level of decadence in the west and hopefully the events in Ukraine have been a wakeup call to take a hard look at threats to the free world. There is no freedom without the work needed to sustain it.

@recherche4528 10 ай бұрын

“Riveting three volume biography of Stalin”? The third book on Stalin is not out yet. It doesn’t come out until February 2024.

@Sirinwara Жыл бұрын

Holy hell I have been having a subscription for the Foreign Affairs journal for 4-5 years now but I was completely unaware that they have podcasts haha It's of high quality btw Kotkin seems to be an incredibly thorough and well-read man.

@peterfrankiewicz9379 Жыл бұрын

Thanks.

@leeming1317 Жыл бұрын

Stephen Kotkin was a great guest, I love his cadence

@kwesikwansakennedy2196 Жыл бұрын

Excellent commentary, Mr Kotkin!

@leeming1317 Жыл бұрын

15:00 I love how blunt he is here

@diedertspijkerboer 11 ай бұрын

As far as I'm concerned, I think that Russia's prescribed economic shock therapy based on the then popular neoliberal dogma's in the 1990s created enormous hardship in Russia and turned Russians away from a western style of running a country both politically and economically.

@ChrisSmith74627 Жыл бұрын

There is only 1 Stephen Kotkin

@DardanRamabaja Жыл бұрын

He is great allways 🙏

@CatalystD9 Жыл бұрын

Another Clear Concise exploration of Geopolitics for the People .. Thank You 🙏

@yabutmaybenot.6433 Жыл бұрын

Excellent work, Steven is one of the best!

@gladkal3202 Жыл бұрын

Beautiful analysis. Very well articulated. Thank u. Keep it up

@Bughisteine 11 ай бұрын

You got to hand it to Stephen Kotkin. He's dazzling us with his wisdom, knowledge, and insight on Russia, Stalin, and the USSR and doing a perfect impression of Joe Pesci at the same time. What a legend!

@j.d.snyder4466 Жыл бұрын

Not just brilliant, but profound and insightful, based on a thorough understanding of the historical evidence.

@MichaelBrueckner Жыл бұрын

Stephen Kotkin is always good choice for an interview.

@garyeuscher4499 Жыл бұрын

Where is the third Volume Mr.Kotkin??

@andycalifalf4515 Жыл бұрын

I just had to subscribed.

@elishevajones6730 Жыл бұрын

Dr. Kotkin is brilliant in his understanding of communist regimes and strategy. Kudos.

@yuglesstube Жыл бұрын

Its also true that the West got a lot wrong about Russia. They have been far more resilient than we expected.

@nathanngumi8467 Жыл бұрын

Great interview with valuable insights!

@nakshatraroy7442 Жыл бұрын

Dr. Kotkin is very knowledgeable and by listening to him one learns a lot.

@PaulHirsh Жыл бұрын

Thank you for mentioning Tibet. We always seem to hear about the genocide of the Uyghurs as if the same crime hasn't happened in Tibet and Inner Mongolia, where quite apart from the suppression of religion, language and culture, ecologically sustainable nomadic ways of life, agricultural practices that have taken centuries to evolve are being destroyed by the Chinese invader.