Putinism

[Dave Monroe]

PUTINISM
Russia and Its Future with the West
Walter Laqueur
Thomas Dunne Books

There is no question that tensions between Russia and America are on
the rise. The forced annexation of Crimea, the downing of Malaysia
Airlines flight 17, and the Russian government's treatment of
homosexuals have created diplomatic standoffs and led to a volley of
economic sanctions. In America, much of the blame for Russia's recent
hostility has fallen on steely-eyed President Vladimir Putin and many
have begun to wonder if they we are witnessing the rebirth of Cold
War-style dictatorship.

Not so fast, argues veteran historian Walter Laqueur.

For two decades, Laqueur has been ahead of the curve, predicting
events in post-Soviet Russia with uncanny accuracy. In Putinism, he
deftly demonstrates how three long-standing pillars of Russian
ideology-a strong belief in the Orthodox Church, a sense of Eurasian
"manifest destiny," and a fear of foreign enemies-continue to exert a
powerful influence on the Russian populous. In fact, today's Russians
have more in common with their counterparts from 1904 than 1954 and
Putin is much more a servant of his people than we might think.

Topical and provocative, Putinism contains much more than historical
analysis. Looking to the future, Laqueur explains how America's
tendency to see Russia as a Cold War relic is dangerous and premature.
Russia can and will challenge the West and it is in our best interest
to figure out exactly who we are facing-and what they want-before it
is too late.

http://us.macmillan.com/putinism/walterlaqueur

Walter Laqueur

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Laqueur
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