Why Are America's Russia Watchers Getting It So Wrong When It Comes to Understanding Russia?

 


Our ability to treat with Moscow depends to a great degree on assessing and predicting Russian actions. Yet the striking number of times that Washington has been surprised by Russian behavior over the past few decades suggests that—more than ever—American experts are struggling in this endeavor. 

Russian-American relations are at a new nadir. Our ability to treat with Moscow depends to a great degree on assessing and predicting Russian actions. 

Yet the striking number of times that Washington has been surprised by Russian behavior over the past few decades suggests that—more than ever—American experts are struggling in this endeavor. 

Indeed, writing in the National Interest on Monday, Michael Lind offered a tart assessment of America’s perceptions of Russia: “If Trump, in spite of his unpopularity, is re-elected, then much of the trans-Atlantic establishment will attribute the result to the machinations of the all-powerful, diabolical Vladimir Putin. 

One reason to hope for a Biden victory (there are not many) is the possibility that it will bring an end to the hysterical neo-McCarthyism that has gripped America’s foreign policy, academic and media establishments for the past four years.“ 

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WNU Editor: An interesting discussion on where U.S. - Russia relations are headed. If you are a Russia watcher, the above video is for you.

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