Biography hubris
On 24 February 2022 Russia invaded Ukraine in an escalation of the Russo Ukraine conflict that began eight years earlier But the roots of the conflict began long before that historic date After the fall of communism politicians professors and the public thought that democracy would spread to Eastern Europe and that these countries would share European values and beliefs The EU NATO and a host of NGOs set about encouraging this glorious future expanding membership of the great institutions The failure to achieve this is one of the most ironic aspects of the story of Western ambition since the end of the Cold War And all concerned underestimated the effect on Russia Especially the expansion of NATO The Russian elite firmly believed that the US and Germany had promised them that NATO would not be extended to include the countries of the former Soviet bloc Instead in a stumbling progress witheringly described by Jonathan Haslam successive American presidents distracted by domestic concerns found themselves going along with the absorption of Poland the Czech republic and all the rest into the Western military alliance They did not understand or care enough about the effects on Russia The fledgling Russian democracy broke down and Vladimir Putin s personal dictatorship flourished enhanced by the most corrupt form of oligarchic capitalism This occurred while Russia was painfully isolated removed from the larger institutions and communities that offered status and security Every condescending reminder that Russia was a power of the second rank exacerbated a grievous sense of loss And the direct heirs of that state whether in the fighting services the secret intelligence services or the diplomatic service suffered humiliation and innumerable slights constant reminders of the indignity of their country s sudden impoverishment and impotence This story of European pride and pathological Russian resentment is what lies behind the war in Ukraine In Hubris Jonathan Haslam one of the world s greatest experts on Russian foreign policy and espionage examines with chilling realism and caustic wit one of the most intractable issues of our time Hubris The Origins of Russia s War Against UkraineI am grateful to NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review This book subtitled The Origins of Russia s War Against Ukraine is written by a British historian and author who mostly writes about the Soviet Union and Russia He is associated with multiple prominent UK and US Ivy League universities While this may have been something to emphasis the author s credentials in the past given the behaviour we have observed from many universities of late problematic and very public views around several issues including politics culture and finance I m a little wary now of certain academic and elite viewpoints of history. Hubris definition The context of this book surrounds the views actions and events of the decades following World War II leading up to the current war in Ukraine Particular emphasis is placed on the downfall of the Soviet Union and repercussions since We are given a summary of Cold War issues and the largely self inflicted disintegration of the Soviet Union events welcomed by Europe the US and of course the many Soviet States that suffered under Russian domination The contributing role of Europe the US and in particular NATO is presented along with multiple references footnotes and quotations I found the factual elements of these decades useful and the Russian views or at least those of the Russian elites various diplomats military politicians and business leaders informative and enlightening However the author s tone language presentation of facts his views and conclusions are largely anti American occasionally anti European and seldom critical of Russia One is left with an excellent recounting of events but a biased almost apologetic view of Russia s actions leading up to the 2014 and 2022 Ukraine invasions Nevertheless this book is a great reference for those unfamiliar with or perhaps forgetful of the events of past decades The author explains Russia s concerns since WW II particularly related to NATO expansion and the perceived threat to the Soviet Union Post the break up of the Soviet Union continued NATO expansion is a constant theme the author describes along with his views and those of the US Europe and Russia The author assigns much of the blame of the current conflict to NATO and Western leaders Other background and foreground events are presented as contributory factors The breakup of Yugoslavia German Unification European and American domestic international politics and ambitions Two Gulf Wars conflicts in Kosovo and Georgia plus the Arab Spring are presented adding to the perceived threats and humiliations felt by Russia More recent conflicts in the Arab world particularly Libya and Syria are also presented alongside Russia s actions justifications and views And of course the rise of Putin is documented and explained. Biography hubris The author of course has the benefit of hindsight in forming his views and opinions as well as abundant published and private material now available Perhaps this in some ways explains the superior snide and sometime snarky references to US and European politicians diplomats and military figures Abundant quotations are presented all referenced but frequently the context is unclear Facts are presented as undeniable or without question true Qualifications which are presumably not necessary and leave me feeling a little uneasy While participants in the West are usually named castigated and much maligned those in Russia are often anonymous and vaguely referred to as Russians with certain thoughts views or feelings Given that author writes in English and perhaps his references are dominantly also in English this is somewhat understandable Nevertheless it distracts from the factual events recounted and adds to the overall anti American pro Russian tone Few of the Western politicians diplomats and military leaders receive any accolades for their actions Disturbingly the author judges their morals and judgements as well as what he sees as their venal and self serving behaviour While Russian officials seem to be generally viewed with tolerance understanding and a grudging respect Whilst he may have a point indeed several valid points regarding Western officials none of this actually justifies Russia s 2014 and 2022 invasions into Ukraine Are these invasions really the equivalent of the West removing Kosovo from Serbia The book draws to a conclusion shortly after the full scale 2022 invasion of Ukraine with abundant blame for various administrations including Reagan Bush HW Clinton Bush W Obama Trump Biden Merkel Macron and many familiar names Putin s power has consolidated over time The West has become ambivalent towards external conflicts Europe has become reliant on Russia for energy resources providing prosperity. Hubristic Apart from the occasional glaring error referring to Nord Stream II as an oil pipeline in totality the book is an excellent largely chronological recounting of events issues key decisions and outcomes over many decades leading up to the war in Ukraine today The interpretations and assumptions along with snide personal remarks clearly show the authors bias which distracts from the factual narrative Perhaps most useful are the author s recounting of the Russian officials their historical views concerns perceived humiliations and the circumstances that lead to their interventions and military actions in several countries including of course Ukraine This narrative allows the reader to better understand the Russian Worldview without accepting or indulging their aggressive behaviour and attitudes. Pdf hub is it free Despite the above critique I enjoyed this book often seeking further information online when a particular person issue or event left me wanting to know I recommend it to anyone unfamiliar with or forgetful of Soviet Russian and Western US views activities and relationships since World War II The author makes clear Russia s justification for invasions of Ukraine After reading this book I am much better informed of the views and actions from many participants Nevertheless I remain unconvinced the historical analysis perceived threats and humiliations justify the Russian actions we see today 400
| Hubris: The Origins of Russia's War Against Ukraine By Jonathan Haslam |
| 1804548227 |
| 9781804548226 |
| 400 |
| Hardcover |
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Jonathan Haslam is George F Kennan Professor in the School of Historical Studies at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton and Professor of the History of International Relations at the University of Cambridge..