Putinism: Russia and Its Future with the West

Veteran foreign affairs writer Laqueur (After the Fall) provides an incisive look at recent Russian history and Vladimir Putin%E2%80%99s role in it, a topic that could hardly be more timely given recent events in Ukraine. Laqueur makes the depressing observation that the KGB, and even Stalin himself, have been rehabilitated in Russian public opinion, and he doesn%E2%80%99t offer much hope for an imminent change in direction for the country%E2%80%99s policy or political culture. According to him, %E2%80%9CRussia has given up attempts to become part of the West,%E2%80%9D which most Russians view as being %E2%80%9Cin retreat.%E2%80%9D The most intriguing section is a chapter entitled %E2%80%9CThe Pillars of the New Russian Idea,%E2%80%9D which takes a multidimensional look at the forces shaping the country today. Readers hoping for specific predictions will be disappointed, though Laqueur is grimly convincing in lowering expectations that Russia will become genuinely democratic any time soon. This thorough examination of all aspects of modern Russian society and culture makes an excellent addition to recent literature on Putin-era Russia.[em] (June) [/em]