Dear CCI Friends,
At last a decades-long traditional U.S.-oriented Russia analyst and professor, Dr. Angela Stent, is admitting to second thoughts about America’s policies toward Russia, including what Russia hoped for and needed after the USSR imploded. She also gives Putin a break from the norm of demonizing, and sees him as a leader who understands what Russians need and respect. After Dr. Stent’s use of “disruptive” twice (to please the powers that be?), the remainder of the article below is quite perceptive and straight forward.
It’s interesting to me that it is a woman Russia specialist who is now ready to admit that significant mistakes were made by the U.S. in its treatment of Russia. Perhaps others in her league have also backtracked and I missed them? If so, please let me know. With this Boston PBS interview, Stent may be opening the door whereby other American professionals will choose to be more open regarding Russia/Putin topics. Many went along with the “party line” during these years since 2000 in order to keep their positions. This is understandable. Hopefully this piece will make others feel safe to be more above board in the future. If so, she has provided a much needed example. Read the following interview and let us know what you think.