Should We Fear Russia?

by Dmitri Trenin

Since the outbreak of the Ukraine crisis, there has been much talk of a new Cold War between the West and Russia.  Under Putin’s authoritarian leadership, Moscow is widely seen as volatile, belligerent and bent on using military force to get its way.  

In this incisive analysis, top Russian foreign and security policy analyst Dmitri Trenin explains why the Cold War analogy is misleading.  Relations between the West and Russia are certainly bad and dangerous but - he argues - they are bad and dangerous in new ways; crucial differences which make the current rivalry between Russia, the EU and the US all the more fluid and unpredictable.  Unpacking the dynamics of this increasingly strained relationship, Trenin makes a compelling case for handling Russia with pragmatism and care rather than simply giving into fear.

Genres: Russia, Nonfiction, Politics, History, International Relations, 21st Century

144 pages, Paperback

Published December 12, 2016

About the author

Dmitri Trenin is a Senior Associate of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and Deputy Director of the Carnegie Moscow Center.

Reviews

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good summary of Russia's status in the West in foreign policy--if a little outdated, given everything that's happened since 2016.

[Glyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Scholarly, erudite yet largely accessible to the non-specialist reader, Mr Trenin clearly explains the current politics of Russia. Thank-you, Mr Trenin, for this clear, coherent and balanced response to the book title's question. Your name has gone to the top of my list of distinguished writers on Russia. Please give your readers the pleasure of more of your work on this vital contemporary topic.

[Sagar Jethani · Rating 1 out of 5]

Quite disappointing. In his attempt to provide a sober assessment of US-Russian relations, the author papers over Russia's aggression in Georgia and Ukraine, minimizing and ignoring the actual facts of Russia's espionage and infiltration in these countries. Ignored, too, are any mention of Russia's assassinations of political dissidents in the West.

What was meant to be a cool-headed reading of contemporary Russian relations quickly devolves into propaganda with an academic veneer.

[Mikhail Farhath-Kupriyanov]

This book is...fine? It's extremely short and provides the absolute bare bones of understanding of what has been going on in Russia for the first 25 years of its existence. Obviously misses out on a lot of stuff, but still useful. Especially so with regards to the Further Reading section - gives some good advice on what to read there.

[Les · Rating 4 out of 5]

More of an extended essay than a book, Trenin demonstrates his usual clear-eyed analysis of the current situation in relations between the West and Russia. The most interesting observation is that a weakened Russia may be more of a danger to Western interests than a modernizing Russia.

[Tristan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well done review of Russian policy by a relative insider. Definitely great at the time, but lacking some since American Presidential elections for obvious reasons. Author knows Russia very well in a personal, yet idealogical way.

[Ridzwan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since the Russian military intervention in Ukraine, Moscow has been viewed as belligerent regime that has reneged on its security commitments to the global community, especially with partners in the West. However, Trenin, in a well-balanced discourse of Russian foreign policy, show readers why Moscow can be just as insecure about its own security, as Western nations are suspicious of it. From a more robust NATO-alliance in its West, restive Islamist regimes to its South, and a more assertive China to its East, Russia has much to worry about its own security. And this anxiety may partly explain Moscow's security postures in recent years.

[M · Rating 2 out of 5]

now read more Russian than French books, somehow...gotta fix that. This book is a fine intro, but useless if you have basic regional knowledge.

[Caitlin Grant]

Dmitri Trenin should be required reading for anyone who wants to understand current events and have an open mind when it comes to relations with Russia.

[Turgut · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

[Johan Rehnstrom · Rating 4 out of 5]

The difference between four and five stars is the length of the book. Otherwise I find it to be an excellent addition to everything we hear, see and read about Russia these days. Amongst many other interesting points, Trenin says we should be careful about analogies between today's Russia and Soviet Union and how the information war has created a very negative view on Russia in the West. There are also comments and views expressed on the level of nationalism and how Putin and his group are exploiting this phenomena and how this needs to be taken into account when coming up with a proper approach to this challenge from the western world. The book can definitely be seen as an excellent introduction to the topic, but personally I saw it as a good summary after reading a number of books on the history and current affairs of Russia.

[rashad]

Good book, great author. Written particularly for Western readers, providing both the common knowledge and new details. Compelling argument too. Enjoyed the reading!