“Russia’s Map” is about the tinder created by the interaction of energy flows, geopolitical competition, and the continuing contention over the unsettled borders that resulted from the collapse of the Soviet Union three decades ago—and from Vladimir Putin’s drive to restore Russia as a Great Power. Russia may be an “energy superpower,” but it is also economically dependent on oil and gas exports. Today, as in Soviet times, those exports are stoking fierce debate about the possible political leverage over Europe that may come in their wake. Yet, any potential leverage has been dissipated by
...more
