Yeltsin/Putin seemed to have a legitimate desire to join NATO in the 90s/early 00s. Russia joining NATO would almost completely encircle China and allow the EU and US to station troops on the Chinese border. So it would have been a geopolitical masterstroke.
What is the explanation for why Russia didn't join NATO? Is it because China wasn't seen as a threat back then or is it simply cold war brainworms? Anyone have an explanation or readings on this?
Everyone is talking geopolitics, but I think it’s simpler. America thought the USSR commiting a Brexit to itself meant the American system was unstoppable. We thought we could pillage the former USSR and get away with it. It was manifest destiny like thinking that made it the endless conflict we have today.
I really can’t believe the Clinton administration was thinking “with an alliance to Russia we will finally encircle the Chinese communist threat.” In the 90s they didn’t even think China was a threat.
America got high on its supply and instead of integration we chose the shock doctrine.
yeah there isn't some master plan. The west is very much bumbling along
Capitalists can't see beyond the next quarter
Guys like pournelle were thinking "at least the russians are (sort of ) white we should ally with them.