Monterey Conversations: Russian Foreign Policy, Past and Present | Kotkin | Kimmage
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- Опубликовано: 20 окт 2022
- In the May/June issue of Foreign Affairs, the historian Stephen Kotkin published an essay titled “The Cold War Never Ended.” In this conversation, moderated by Michael Kimmage, Professor Kotkin discussed the history of the Cold War, the thirty-year period between the collapse of the Soviet Union and Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine and the unfinished nature of the Cold War contest that began in the 1940s. Professor Kotkin brought historical examples and precedents to bear on causes of the current war. Kleinheinz Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Professor Kotkin is the author of many books on Soviet and post-Soviet history. He also writes frequently on international affairs in the present tense. Michael Kimmage is a professor of history at the Catholic University of America.
Thank you for hosting Stephen Kotkin. He is easily the best contemporary scholar on Soviet history in the sweeping view of world politics.
and China 👍
99% accurate, just one issue I don’t agree, but great scholar!
Absolutely agree. He's the best on contemporary Russian history. He is also, correctly, not an apologist for NATO that has always been a defensive organization.
David Satter.
@@hudhinton8243 🤣
Love this man. He heals the American soul like a priest. Thats a gift man.
Prof Kotkin is a living Google machine- his knowledge depth is staggering.
🤦♂️
Professor Kotkin is brilliant, and no matter how often i listen to one of his lectures, I always gain new insight. Thank you.
Completely agree.
Completely agree.
Completely disagree
agree. I am also astonished of the number of entities that invite him, I guess to gain some visibility for themselves. Some of representants of these institutions softly attack his humanly viiews and his pro-ukrainian stance.. ..The other day it was "the good fellows" , some guys that collectively are some smart a$$es, like those that offered Zelensky a ride ,and were and still are ok with letting Putler having chunks of teritories and sheres of influence, like in middle ages. Sorry for the rant...I am just upset at all these political or ideological entities that allign themselves with Hilter 2.0 for no reason other than the anti western jihad.
@@Grundewalt
Disagree
Could listen to this man for hours.
Without getting to the point…
@@maxnagel9321 this is a "you" problem
Kotkin always leaves me considering many aspects..always a welcome thing. Thanks for sharing
Brilliant, understanable, coherent, and prescient. What a tragedy that Simoyan or Siloviev wouldn't air Professor Kotkin's lesson !
Prof Kotkin, always instructive & thought provoking.
@UCvzfjftIbz7BW_tCqnckmJA What do you think are the real reasons for Putin's invasion of Ukraine? Do you think the Biden administration is wrong to support Zelensky and the Ukrainians?
Ok
Professor Kotkin is usually instructive and thought provoking. A fine historian most of the time.
But about once per public appearance he goes Whooppee! off the rails for a brief little infantile series of snarks against the Democratic Party.
He's had a pleasant laugh and some applause for that silly stuff from some Chamber of Commerce audience in Podunk, and it's Skinnerized, trained, him into the bad habit of going for cheap rightwing laughs.
Sad.
Thankyou Professor for making sense of our post war world.
Stephen Kotkin is absolutely essential for western societies to listen. He has absolutely mastered Russia history and understands underlaying dynamics of Eastern Europe. I said western society because eastern societies already know from history. Thank you
Carthage must be destroyed. What else is new?
The people from their safe spaces talking about how to interact with a murderous regime. Western arrogance and indifference at its FINEST. No one cares old white dudes…. Tell me more about how Ukraine is gonna fall in 3 days and Zelensky’s gonna run. That’s what I thought. Let me guess, Chomsky’s on next lmao
Russia's neighbors have been warning about Putin for years. Nobody listened. Suddenly Western societies have Picacu face.
@@Yasen99 Hannibal and Carthage were destroyed by a Roman Empire which knew how to create and employ the power of coalition warfare.
Also, "He who has the most elephants loses". (credit unknown, US Naval War College, 1993)
There are always many replies from Russians or in Russian lamenting how Kotkin understands Russian society better than any Russian historian.
Professor Kotkin is a great TEACHER of anybody who wants to learn and understand modern history of the world.. Thanks a lot 👍.
he completely ignore existence of CHINA.
Russia has natural resources.
china has man power and technology.
Po 2:54 2:55 my😮
I am a big fan of Prof. Kotkin - his books and his presentations. Thank you for putting this on.
Thank you guys: listening to Kotkin snore would be 100x better than listening to any Russian analyst and 99% of intellectuals lecture. On any topic. He's top notch!! D.A., J.D. (writer, attorney, politics/history/Russia buff), NYC
Your statement suggests you haven't studied the topic sufficiently to know how to be critical here. Your bs compliment is, and I am sure Kotkin would agree, useless prattle.
It was fun. No harm in that.
Love clarity of thought and expertice of Steven Kotkin. Great interview!
"Maybe it'll work, in the same way that maybe socialism will work someday, and it won't be about gulags and ration tickets." - Dr. Kotkin's insight and intelligence are so illuminating. Watching these interviews puts me back in the best college classes I ever took - the classes with the most engaging professors. He's incredibly witty too, which doesn't come through as much in this particular video.
This is a very insightful man. I always look forward to listening to him even if I've already heard some of the topics.
Hoover Institution Neocon think tanker.
@@johnsmith1474 um no...
@@johnsmith1474 Can Russian bots not think of a better name than John Smith? You clearly have no creativity at all. I hope you don't fall out of a window for underperforming and disappointing your dear leader.
And by the way, Professor Kotkin! We are all waiting for Volume III of the Stalin autobiography!
No more tea and crumpets on the lecture circuit until this great work is finished!
I would guess that the intensification of conflict since February has affected the ability to carry out historical research in Russia and access to archives. Hopefully he's done all the work he needs to over there. He might want to re-focus parts of the book in light of current events as well.
Adopt the Stalin solution. Establish a 5 year plan by which all historical biographies have to be completed within 5 years, otherwise the author is sent to the Gulag.
Autobiography?
Listening to SK is like watching a master mechanic taking apart the most complicated machine in the world, name the parts, explain how they work, then put it back together. again
Excellent analogy. People of my generation would have said about Professor Kotkin that his mind works like a fine Swiss watch. Your analogy to a skilled mechanic will resonate with those who have no personal experience with the mechanical perfection of Swiss watches.
Thank you professor Kotkin, it's always a pleasure to hear your thoughts on the conflicts... Please 🙏 do this more often.
Thank you so much! Stephen is the best historian around! Kindest Regards from a Country Boy from the South Island of New Zealand! Thank you Michael and Stephen. In my opinion Stephen Kotkin is the the best in the world on this topic by far! Stephen, would you contemplate a trip to New Zealand and Australia? Let me know, I'm sure I can help! Down under is a great place to go when you a sick of your Northern Hemisphere winter, so is Fiji, The Cook Islands.....bla bla
Possibly Prof. Kotkin’s best talk on RUclips
Nice
the deep dive back to 18th and 19th century history laid down some seriously good context!
@@kensurrency2564agree… such a wonderful crescendo
I know he’s not specifically teaching here, but he has become aware of the huge classroom he now commands from RUclips. Not sure he needs a classroom anymore. He would do more good to continue with perspective on the past and how the West can act in the moment to combat the evil it faces, if it can stay the course.
I think he is really helpful in informing the public. We have to win the information war. Western societies need to stay on board. Putin truly believes he can outlast us. This war of conquest must fail!
Stephen Kotkin,s knowledge is amazing👏! 🙏🌷🔥
You rearranged the chairs on the TITANIC deck...🤣🤣🤣... it's so humorous and deep !!! You are my best Teacher 👍🙏😍
great interview with the brilliant Professor Kotkin. Always so educational and presented so eloquently. Thank for this.
Mr. Kotkin. Ive spent 3 years trying to get from 7 year war to yesterday. Thanks for organizing our thought. I probably could not have
Russia signs a lot of agreements but when it suits them they don't adhere to them
Prof. Kotkin is a living legend. 👍
🤣🤣🤣
I have listened to many of Kotkin’s talks. Each time I learn a lot that I have not heard or read before.
Steven kotkin great as usual.
Only thing i think he is wrong about are the pipelines.
I think the americans had much more to gain from that than the russians.
I love how arrogant and self-confident Mr Kontkin can be. But man, THIS man, has knowledge, wisdom, express himself brilliantly and I love listening to his lectures. He is really interesting as a Persona.
You love his arrogance??? It is a sign of weakness and defensiveness!!! Don't be fooled. Do you know his background???
He is Joe Pesci's long lost brother. Quite suspicious. Quite suspicious.
Strongly disagree. He is remarkably humble when one considers his monumental command of historical facts, his impressive intellectual credentials, and his growing rock star status in the popular blogosphere. I find him personable and charming in his self deprecation, particularly when he responds to sometimes naive and sophomoric questions from students.
@@bearowen5480 That is true, I agree. I love his both interview with Lex Friedman. Kotkin is great.
Excellent, as always.
Fascinating lecture!
Very informative presentation. It’s opened my eyes and changed my prospective.
@@jima3129 Right! Thanks for catching that.
If one wants real insights into Russian history, there is no one better alive the Dr. Kotkin, in the English world and probably even the Russian speaking world.
Back that up.
@@johnsmith1474 read all of his books...then others books. There's a start
Insights are in the eye of the beholder. Kotkin's narrative makes profound sense to those who are already inclined to think within his framework, which is predicated on the ideology of the American Global Empire and which is designed to buttress faith in its benevolence and invincibility. If you don't come from this background and you do not share the precepts from which Kotkin proceeds, then Kotkin's narrative is profoundly and incorrigibly flawed. It is rooted in one very important quality - conceit and arrogance. His judgment is so suffused with those vices that they cast a long shadow over pretty much everything else he says. And what's even more tragic is that Kotkin does not even notice how offensively and provocatively arrogant he is. People like that need cure - and it's not impossible that Russia will provide the remedy.
@@Yasen99 no there is historical fact and there are historical anti-truths...the one's the current and past Russian governments deals in. I'll stay in the real world where 2+2=4...cheers.
@@Yasen99facts are facts, and the truth is that the world changed immensely after the industrial revolution. marx didn’t like it; and his descendants tried to force collectivism when it wasn’t wanted. russia does seem to be living in a memory of the past, and communism won’t do china much good either. the world isn’t quite ready for the next economic and political solution. so here we are.
I'd listen to Stephen Kotkin talk about most things...it'd be interesting to hear him discuss art or philosophy someday.
Thank you. Scholarship and analysis par excellence
I love Mr. Kotkin. His research has always been world-class
Yeltsin started rebuilding autocracy and expansion of the Empire as soon as he got the full power. Especially, when he intentionally and careful saved and restarted the KGB under other names.
Very interesting perspectives. Minor point - I wouldn't compare the situation and democratic potential of Stuart England with present day Russia. Despite the divine right of kings, England had Magna carta in 1215 and a parliament since the 13th century. Liberalism has always found much stonier ground in Russia. It wasn't helped by all the Western hucksters and grifters who flocked there in the 1990s.
I always welcome Stephen Kotkin's input. Thank you for this conversation.
Steven is excellent as always.
Always...I learn and enjoy the classes.... John John
Brilliant
Fascinating interview with Dr. Stephen Kotkin! He is always brilliant and I seek him out for incredibly insightful, thoughtful ideas on any subject matter area he chooses to comment on.
The Vietnam war loss was a self inflicted wound by how it was prosucuted and its political will crushed but it by far benefited the ussr
Outstanding
The French term "Bistro" came from the times with the defeat of Napoleon in Paris as they flooded French restaurants and cafe's saying "Bistra, Bistra!". The Russian word for quick or quickly, fast...lol
Germany weapons production in 1944 was the highest of the War.
I must say that Kotkin and Zeihan get the Geopolitics of Russia pretty spot on...
+1
Mr. President
Give Mr. Kotkin a job as advisor to u
He is very knowledgeable and wise....
Really like listening to Steven. Always learn something new. 👍
Prof Kotkin is so laid back, kind and NY. At the same time, one of the most intelligent, informed and clever historians this world has ever produced. Kotkin for POTUS. Adulation from W AUSTRALIA.
@@bettycockman2138 Well he'd certainly be better than the last 5 POTUS. 👍
Obviously, Mr. Kotkin is a prominent figure with impeccable credentials, deriving in part from a brilliant and disciplined mind.
Others might disagree, but it seems to me that he critiques Russia for not developing so as to be competitive with the West, particularly along technological lines.
Perhaps they have done only in the military arena which appears to strengthen their ability to hold on to a way of life that might be thought of as the yin to our yang (or the reverse if you prefer).
Me see Kotkin, me click.
thanks
Love Kotkin.
When Kotkin speaks, I listen.
without getting to the point
Dang...I would have loved to have been there...how does one find your future schedule at Monterey Institute in Russian Study, at Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey as Iam a visitor often to your hamlet with its historic natural lovely coastal surroudings 😊
Thanks.
Kotkin gang is here again. 'I am a historiacal to you? Historical how? Am I educating you?'
LOL
Fantastic Summation of Russian Foreign Policy.
What a great summary of the last 200 or so years. Well worth 90 minutes of my time....
The irony of a guest speaker to a Catholic institution with books on Nietzsche and Marx in the background is not lost on me.
It is important to understand different ideas - or do you prefer book burning to exercise of intellect ?
@@ericwillis777 The irony is one of truth vs myth, Plato’s noble lie
@@yp77738yp77739 Neither truth, nor myth, nor Catholic.
The king's of England had long required parliamentry consent to raise taxes, the "Divine Right of Kings" was a continental absolute monarchy concept like in France. So Charles Stuart was himself trying to break with history and chose to settle the matter with force raising his standard against both parliament and the majority of his own people.
(56:14) ... Yes, there is a gap. /=/
There is a gap in every thing - that is how the light comes in!
Joe Pesci is one smart dude.
Kotkin is a legitimate historian, who is serious about primary sources. That said, we must question his claim that Russian power will definitely exist in the future. Yes, Russia has collapsed twice and come back twice, but that is no guarantee of future reconstitution. We need to also think about the possibility of a future Russia splintering into multiple, nuclear-armed states.
This was an exceptional presentation. I learned a lot. Thank you!
Exceptional because you have so little knowledge of the history of the world, to a learned man such as myself it was drivel.
@@johnnysprocketz you are truly a humble man
@@karinfroller7403 indeed.
Very good, very dense information, very pointedly summarised. And a very realistic outlook on things to come. 👍
The west did say no further east to Russia right.. did that have no meaning. Also under un why did Libya get smacked
38:00 the germans had Romania for both oil and grains on their side until august '44, having those resources alleviated not getting ukraine graines and minerals
Funny Iraq war 2 Vietnam a fair few others don't get a mention. Minsk 2 agrees by un seemed to be pretty recent.
Kotkin is spot on about the power and the weakness of anti-Westernism. It is creating an enormous tragedy in a number of countries. Will China go down the same self-destructive path that Putin has taken Russia and where the mullahs have taken Iran? Will India also try to take that road?
The single most anti-Western country is the United States. The ruling ideology here is founded on the vilification of Europe and Western Civilization as a whole.
Enjoyed this very much. Dr Kotkin is as usual - informative and helpful with his analyses. The moderator’s questions were perfect. Thank you for posting this. Would love to hear these two explore in depth current Ukrainian situation.
42:15 Japan seems to understand their responsibility as a part of the coalition, however Germany has seemingly lost it's way.
Steven
You give me hope we need more like you
Thank you
Why can't questions be put without parenthetic digressions and wandering down side alleys, all of course with plenty of affected stammering? Note the difference between Dr Kimmage and Dr. Kotkin. Inerviewers must be made to listen to their recordings.
Great historical depth and easygoing, sociable transmission of that.
He's read a book a day since his youth...... that's how it's done.
There's no replacement for displacement....
🇦🇺🕯️
Listen. What Leo wants, Leo Getz!
Love Stephen Kotkin!!
Thank you again, Mr. Kotkin, On one of your observations. stated that Russia was trying to Rebuild from the shards of the USSR, whereas I
take exception is Germany Japan and even South Korea did the rebuild without the massive natural resources. This tells me what Russia was facing to rebuild was substantially less than the 3 power-house economies, mentioned above.
Thank you prof. Kotkin to list out Poland somewhere in the end. We're this medium size flat country in the middle of Europe who conquered and burned Moscow once in the history. Napoleon couldn't do it, Germans with Hitler failed too but we did it. Last but not least we only stopped 1920 Lenins bolsheviks march towards western Europe in rewards we got betrayed 1939 by France and Bratain. We bled for allias cause and got betrayed in Yalta so....the great West has some ethical homework to do.
Poland is very happy to be in Nato and relies on "the west" in his defense. And rightly so. No one should even consider touching any Nato Member. I find it very strange that in a time where Russia is fighting a war of conquest since one year and is not backing down at all, somehow the West has to look at itself, do homework whatever. Maybe Putin and his minions should look in the mirror and ask themselves where all this "Russo phobia" suddenly comes from. Mine started on February 24, 2022. I know a little late, should have happened 2014. But now I got the message.
You guys grabbed a piece of Checko-Slovakia after Hitler attacked them. Maybe if that didnt happen there would not have been M-R pact
How do I have RUclips not suggesting me any more videos featuring this evil elf?
Joe...u should ask Steven to be your close advisor....
The most pesimistic of all lectures of Kotkin I listened to
Dr. Kotkin has earned the right to his pessimism. He understands world history better than most "experts" in the field. When he speaks of the fifty five million deaths in WWII, you can feel his deep underlying sadness at such horrific suffering and loss of life. He's the world's leading authority on Stalin and the horrific perfidy he inflicted on the Russian masses. No wonder he is a pessimist about the future!
1:28 but unfortunately that's not what happened contrary to what this gentleman wants to make out, the Russians were eager to belong and cooperate with the USA and the EU. In the early 1990s, Yeltsin authorized the entry of several banks, associations and American investors, a plan called "shock therapy" was created. Yeltsin ruled by decree and signed everything investors needed. The best companies were sold to these investors for ridiculous amounts. 60% of the Russian population fell into extreme poverty, due to the laws they advised. Resources and Key sectors for Russia fell into American hands. To see the size of the withdrawal that was made in Russia, for each barrel of oil the Russian government kept 0.25 cents. Meanwhile, Putin came in and ended the looting.
Putin didn't end the looting, he coordinated it better. For himself and his cronies....
What happened in Russia after the collapse of the Soviet Union was the inevitable result of 75 years of brutal Communist tyranny over the Russian people, not the investment in the post-Soviet economy by Western corporate interests.
The wonder is not that the evil and corrupt Soviet system of state socialism collapsed, but that it took so long to occur. Blaming the predominantly peaceful dislocations and hardships of Communism's collapse on the West is sadly preposterous. Such thinking led to the rise of the oligarchs and the consolidation of Putin's dictatorial stranglehold on the suffering Russian people.
@@bearowen5480 What I wrote in my commentary is not my emotional opinion or judgment based on information given by CNN. These are facts that can be easily verified. To understand what is happening in Ukraine, you have to go back a few decades. Do you think that the US is very concerned about the human rights of Ukrainians and is spending billions of Dollars because they have altruistic moral principles? I'm sorry to tell you but Santa Claus doesn't exist, it's the parents who offer gifts. This is POWER fighting for POWER morals only come in to convince people like you, so they can spend public money without risking social instability. I suggest starting with Mackinder's doctrine and understanding what is at stake.
We've totally lost the 90's critiques of US & Western actions in the wake of the collapse of the USSR. They failed Russia until the ruble collapsed, then they proceeded to codify their failure by protecting the very speculators who helped oversee that devastation.
Advanced simplicity.
Kotkins always goes through his litany of agreements in which Russia acknowledges the right of states such as Ukraine to become allies with NATO or anyone who will have them. That's fine, but in other contexts he describes how Russia and Germany were down and out after WWI, but were bound to repudiate burdensome treaties imposed on them when they were weak.
So what gives?
Whatever the legal niceties, it is clear that Putin and Russia are very sensitive to exerting a measure of control over the avenues used repeatedly to invade Russia. That creates conflict between Russia and other powers, and such conflicts are, from time to time, settled by war.
Do you have a point?
@@Rjsjrjsjrjsj
Why, yes.
My point is that while in some contexts Kotikins gives extravagant recognition to agreements made by a state, in other contexts he excuses states when they ignore earlier agreements.
And indeed, in the history of diplomacy, it seems far more common for agreements between states to be discarded when they become burdensome than to be burdened by continuing to abide by such agreements.
I'm supposing that rather than not being able to understand a not very complicated post, you simply don't want to acknowledge anything which fails to support the grievances of Ukraine.
@@SeattlePioneer So, if I understand you correctly, you're arguing that Invading Ukraine was just fine because no one sticks to agreements? Because all you REALLY argued was that (no one sticks to them).
@@Rjsjrjsjrjsj
@@SeattlePioneer That's not an answer. Are you arguing that it was justified for Russia to invade Ukraine? Simple question. Yes or no?
I really appreciate and enjoy listening to Stephen Kotkin but in this video, at 39:30 he said:
"...Today, the nazi regime is very different..."
I assume that by Nazis, he means the Russian regime, right? 😉
Surely he didn't meant the current German state or worst, the Ukrainian state/government.
Kotkin claiming that the USSR became a "technology desert" is quite the feat of creative fiction.
Thanks to Russia for fighting UKRAINE NAZIS.
Putin's best defense on the war in Ukraine: well I got away with it before, why are you bothering me now?
Lmbo!!!
Tell me what language : Lmbo !! is so I can Google translate it!
Joe Pesci is back at it again. Always a great pleasure.
Kotin's presentation probably contains the most inciteful and substantive explanation of what drives the Putin regime and what we can expect in the future. Hopefully, Washington policy makers are taking notes.
Algorithm.
Agent of the status quo
OK, the Kremlin trolls have found this video. Took you some time....
@J. Calvert
a comment from a sock puppeteer. Go find another sock mate.
8:30 Kotkin (& the others always as well) forget that Russia lost wars not only to Japan, and then in WW1 to Germany, but to Finland independence 1917 & the White Army of the Government of Finland 1918, lost Estonia 1918 thanks to the finnish voluntary troops, and made finally peace with Finland in the then independent Estonia 1920. Tried to occupy Finland 1939-40 but didn't manage to do it, fought another war with Finland 1941-44 and almost lost the whole Carelia and Leningrad, and had to make peace again with Finland 1944.
Russia had got Finland 1809 from Napoleon who gave that eastern part of ancient Sweden, the half of it, to rule as an autonomous buffer state, as the Grand Dutchy of Finland, to Alexander the 1st in Tilsit.
Hi from Russia. We loves you too. Sit quiet and we let you live.
@@paulzx5034 ruclips.net/video/XATbBXqwKx4/видео.html
:D :D :D
@@HelsinkiFINketeli_berlin_com So what? You subjected to war propaganda. When last time you heard anything positive about us? Our army - bunch of sore losers and war criminals, yeah...
Yeah. I remember the film clip of Adolf Hitler visiting his big friend & brother in arms Mannerheim.
USSR was Htler's ally till 1941, Soviets invaded oland on 17th of september 1939 and committed Katyn massacre of Polish officers in Katyn forest in 1940 but Russians still consider themselves as "heroes and liberators"....
Awesome
I wish he was wrong about the reality of the Ukraine outcome and reconstruction. Yes Ukrainians gdp was only 180B but perhaps it can grow significantly with western support.
The introduction was 4 minutes too long…
Professor…..😂