The European Tribune is a forum for thoughtful dialogue of European and international issues. You are invited to post comments and your own articles.
Please REGISTER to post.
https://www.raamoprusland.nl/dossiers/binnenlandse-politiek/2094-why-russia-s-elite-went-to-war
The oligarchs who emerged under Yeltsin's rule gave up their involvement in Russia's domestic politics. They earned their money in Russia, but used the West to invest their capital. The balance of power shifted to Putin's cronies and security apparatus. After the annexation of Crimea their anti-Westernism became a platform for consolidation, argues political scientist Kirill Rogov at the Russia File of the Kennan Institute. A clear understanding of why and how Russia's monstrous war of aggression against Ukraine, a war destructive for both countries, became possible will require much time and effort. So far, the focus of immediate commentary has invariably been on President Putin, as the outbreak of war is perceived as his personal decision. However, reasoning along the lines of 'we are all the hostages of one man's insanity' is more likely to produce a fictitious answer rather than a genuine one.
A clear understanding of why and how Russia's monstrous war of aggression against Ukraine, a war destructive for both countries, became possible will require much time and effort. So far, the focus of immediate commentary has invariably been on President Putin, as the outbreak of war is perceived as his personal decision. However, reasoning along the lines of 'we are all the hostages of one man's insanity' is more likely to produce a fictitious answer rather than a genuine one.
Old oligarchs abandoned any ambitions for political change, post Khodorovsky, and went west; new oligarchs also dreamed of golden retirement in western Europe, but that went up in smoke post Crimea; embittered, they doubled down on a bad bet. A coherent picture. It is rightly acknowledged that people of faith have no monopoly of virtue - Queen Elizabeth II
by Frank Schnittger - Feb 10
by Frank Schnittger - Feb 6 5 comments
by Frank Schnittger - Jan 28 15 comments
by Frank Schnittger - Jan 24 11 comments
by Frank Schnittger - Jan 31 3 comments
by gmoke - Jan 29
by Oui - Jan 21 7 comments
by Frank Schnittger - Jan 18
by gmoke - Feb 13
by Oui - Feb 131 comment
by Oui - Feb 134 comments
by Oui - Feb 126 comments
by Oui - Feb 113 comments
by Oui - Feb 11
by Oui - Feb 9
by Oui - Feb 7
by Frank Schnittger - Feb 65 comments
by Oui - Feb 59 comments
by Oui - Feb 4
by Oui - Feb 33 comments
by Oui - Feb 35 comments
by Oui - Feb 112 comments
by Oui - Feb 11 comment