This illuminating book explains how and why Russia’s relations with the west have deteriorated to the point of initiating a new era of ‘great power competition’. An updated version of the bestselling 2016 edition, it explores the decline in relations since the early 2000s, taking in the war in Syria and the 2022 escalation in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Beyond geopolitical considerations, the book delves into the nature of power in Russia itself, providing an in-depth examination of the networks of influence that define the country’s political landscape. In doing so it moves beyond the simplistic, Putin-centric narratives often found in western accounts, offering readers a fresh perspective on Russian politics.
Understanding Russia is crucial for western leaders seeking to establish stable and constructive relations in the future. The new politics of Russia serves as a key resource, challenging conventional wisdom and unpicking the complex dynamics at play in the relationship between Russia and the west.
Daftar Isi
Preface: Russia matters
Preface to updated edition
Introduction: ‘we’ve moved on’
1 Russia: the state of surprise
2 Towards strategic dissonance: Russia as a ‘Europe apart’
3 ‘Reflexive transitionology’ and the ‘end of Putin’
4 Beyond Putin? Deciphering power in Russia
Conclusion: reinterpreting Russia in the twenty-first century
Epilogue
Index
Tentang Penulis
Andrew Monaghan is Academic Visitor at St Antony’s College, Oxford and a Senior Research Fellow in the Russia and Eurasia Programme at The Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House