Book Review: Truth, Ambition, and Compromise in Putin’s Russia Joshua Yaffa

[Kenneth]

If you are interested in how Vladimir Putin’s Russia uses power to achieve it’s ends this is an excellent book to take on. Mr. Yaffa uses vignettes of people living in Russia and how their lives are impacted by the pressures that the Russian government applies to individuals in order to maintain a control over its citizens. Putin’s Russia was created out of the chaos of the fall of the Soviet Union. Putin has stated repeatedly the his goal is to rebuild Russia into a world power with similar capability of the former Soviet Union. This book discusses how the Russian government uses both soft and hard power to achieve its political goals.

Saratova is a Muslim woman from a small village in Chechnya. She witnesses first hand the use of the Russian military to systematically destroy Chechen culture through rape, torture, bombings and fear. People are pulled from their homes in the middle of the night and accused of being Islamic terrorists based on little to no evidence. Most are never heard from again by friends or family. Saratova is motivated by what she sees to place herself in very dangerous situations to ensure that the world receives information on what is happening in Chechnya. She walks across battlefields knowing that she could be captured at any time. She operates in cities and watches as children are shot by Russian snipers. Russia eventually begins a military pull out due to the high casualty numbers. However, they leave a strong man, Kadyrov, in charge to maintain the peace. Kadyrov uses the lessons that the Russians taught him (assassination, intimidation etc) to coerce a tenuous peace in the country. Dissidents, such as Saratova, are pressured to work with the newly established through threats to families and villages. In the case of Saratova, she learns to walk a fine line between working within the government system and following her own path in order to save as many of her people as she can.

Putin’s Russian is not above incorporating religion into methods of maintaining control. The chapter entitled “The Last Free Priest” tells the story of Father Pavel Adelgeim, a Russian Orthodox Priest. Father Pavel is passionate about preaching the word of God. He is in direct contrast with the majority of his fellow priests who were selected for seminary because they WERE not on fire with the Word of God. The Russian Orthodox Church is pressured by the Russian Government (and previously by the Soviet Government) to focus on a weak theology that emphasizes support to Mother Russia versus a focus on Heavenly responsibilities. As Father Pavel continues with his preaching career he shows a strong ability to bring his fellow Russians to lead a stronger faith. He begins to come into contact with leaders of the Russian Orthodox Church who demand that he fall into line with his fellow priests and now focus on preaching / delivering souls but support the policies of the Russian government. Father Pavel refuses and continually faces persecution within his own church (demotions, becoming subordinate to younger priests, having his parish authority taken away etc). In the end, Father Pavel is mysteriously killed in his home by a stranger after numerous warnings to tie the party line.

Putin’s Russia focuses on two main themes. First, Putin is not afraid to use the institutions (both government and non-governmental) to pressure citizens of Russian and other countries to ensure that Russian interests are secure. Second, Putin is not above using methods that are illegal, cruel and threatening to secure his continued role as strong man of Russia. Very interesting read for anyone interested in the role of Russia in today’s world environment.

Yaffa, J. (2020). Between Two Fires: Truth, Ambition, and Compromise in Putin’s Russia. New York, NY: Tim Duggan Books.

https://www.c-span.org/video/?468251-...