Efforts to Contain Russia Are Failing

Russia’s return to the global scene, not only as an opponent of the West but also as a state that aims to influence internal developments in Western societies, has created a new intellectual and geopolitical challenge. Allegations of Moscow’s meddling in the US presidential election in 2016 suggest vulnerability in the face of Russian power — real or imagined. Despite being much weaker than the Soviet Union, Russia today nevertheless has a greater ability to provoke mischief than the communist empire ever did, while Western debates on how to contain (or engage) Russia have an air of helplessness.

Political elites in both Russia and the west have shown no sign that they know how to manage adversarial relations in an era of globalisation.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Pushing Back on Russian Meddling in Western Elections http://www.europeansources.info/record/pushing-back-on-russian-meddling-in-western-elections/

ESO: Background information: Why Russia, Turkey and Iran are natural allies http://www.europeansources.info/record/why-russia-turkey-and-iran-are-natural-allies/

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