1) Some hack for the navy wrote a piece in the '90s claiming the idea that Russia has a historic obsession with a warm water port is made up and is not found within Russia's internal documents. I don't possess any documents that contradict his argument, but who doesn't want access to the sea? The history of Russia's wars as well as Peter the Great's efforts to create a Russian navy clearly show they thought this was important.
2) Few understand the "curse of geography", which you have outlined well here. Russia is faced by vast open plains, and distance is really what can protect them. This also explains how highly the value artillery, since they are without natural defenses.
3) As I mentioned on Twitter earlier, I'm currently reading "Tournament of Shadows", which is a history of "The Great Game." One of the most noteworthy things is that someone made up the idea that Central Asia was the key to world domination- based on absolutely nothing- and then they proceeded to maniacally contest each other there. And of course the British were doing the same basic thing as the Russians- if sillier due to the geographic difficulty of getting to these areas whereas Russia could expand citizens and railroads into Central Asia. But then, as now, the UK had the idea it was somehow a benevolent force, despite that it had wholly mercantile aims, and there was no neutral justification for how Russia was somehow the evil force.
As another aside, I brought up the same thing about the characters of the nations being different in the article I sent you about how this relates to the Peloponnesian War. It is truly amazing how America and Russia mirror Athens and Sparta in terms of temperament, and though Attica did get invade multiple times, it was in a highly defensible position that was relatively hard to access, whereas like Russia, Sparta was on an open plain with no defenses- and of course they didn't have walls as a flex, preferring to defend themselves by brute force.
1) Amazingly ironic that a navy guy of all people couldn't see just how hard Russia has been working for a warm water port basically forever. Definitely a room temperature IQ take.
2) I think a lot of Americans specifically struggle with understanding how much geography affects different countries because American geography means people don't have to understand the geography of other places. Being impervious to invasion is unique in history, whereas being vulnerable to it often defines a country. Imagine how much paranoia has existed in China forever to the point where they built the world's biggest wall that still failed to keep them safe. Sparta is a fine example of what happens when a society has to harden up to defend themselves.
3) I'll definitely have to read that book, sounds excellent. And it's a good reminder that every country is the good guy in their own story.
It l drives me _crazy_ that Americans have been sold the lie that a naval invasion is some sort of threat for which we need a standing army.
Regarding Tournament of Shadows, I just finished it last night, its a wonderful read, it kind of has the excitement of a spy novel, and also a lot of information about the development of both science and mysticism, which is part of why people were so interested in the Himalayas. My wife's Great Grandparents were actually Theosophists, a religion which played a big part in all of the intrigues.
Also I just remembered I referenced that thing about the warm water port being a myth in an article [though I didnt read it all as it seemed stupid] so I have the link on hand
A military invasion of any kind of the US is just an absurd and somewhat funny concept. Now an invasion of fentanyl, however? That's happening right now. I call it the the Third Opium War...probably deserves its own post.
Re: The book, I'll make sure to check it out. Thanks for the recommendation.
I missed this comment before but that's very enlightening. Thought it was super condescending when Nuland was handing out bread during 2014. Why only bread? Now it makes a lot more sense. Thanks for sharing.
What an article...
awesome work
Cheers brother
Great article, a few comments
1) Some hack for the navy wrote a piece in the '90s claiming the idea that Russia has a historic obsession with a warm water port is made up and is not found within Russia's internal documents. I don't possess any documents that contradict his argument, but who doesn't want access to the sea? The history of Russia's wars as well as Peter the Great's efforts to create a Russian navy clearly show they thought this was important.
2) Few understand the "curse of geography", which you have outlined well here. Russia is faced by vast open plains, and distance is really what can protect them. This also explains how highly the value artillery, since they are without natural defenses.
3) As I mentioned on Twitter earlier, I'm currently reading "Tournament of Shadows", which is a history of "The Great Game." One of the most noteworthy things is that someone made up the idea that Central Asia was the key to world domination- based on absolutely nothing- and then they proceeded to maniacally contest each other there. And of course the British were doing the same basic thing as the Russians- if sillier due to the geographic difficulty of getting to these areas whereas Russia could expand citizens and railroads into Central Asia. But then, as now, the UK had the idea it was somehow a benevolent force, despite that it had wholly mercantile aims, and there was no neutral justification for how Russia was somehow the evil force.
As another aside, I brought up the same thing about the characters of the nations being different in the article I sent you about how this relates to the Peloponnesian War. It is truly amazing how America and Russia mirror Athens and Sparta in terms of temperament, and though Attica did get invade multiple times, it was in a highly defensible position that was relatively hard to access, whereas like Russia, Sparta was on an open plain with no defenses- and of course they didn't have walls as a flex, preferring to defend themselves by brute force.
Thanks for the feedback! To your points:
1) Amazingly ironic that a navy guy of all people couldn't see just how hard Russia has been working for a warm water port basically forever. Definitely a room temperature IQ take.
2) I think a lot of Americans specifically struggle with understanding how much geography affects different countries because American geography means people don't have to understand the geography of other places. Being impervious to invasion is unique in history, whereas being vulnerable to it often defines a country. Imagine how much paranoia has existed in China forever to the point where they built the world's biggest wall that still failed to keep them safe. Sparta is a fine example of what happens when a society has to harden up to defend themselves.
3) I'll definitely have to read that book, sounds excellent. And it's a good reminder that every country is the good guy in their own story.
It l drives me _crazy_ that Americans have been sold the lie that a naval invasion is some sort of threat for which we need a standing army.
Regarding Tournament of Shadows, I just finished it last night, its a wonderful read, it kind of has the excitement of a spy novel, and also a lot of information about the development of both science and mysticism, which is part of why people were so interested in the Himalayas. My wife's Great Grandparents were actually Theosophists, a religion which played a big part in all of the intrigues.
Also I just remembered I referenced that thing about the warm water port being a myth in an article [though I didnt read it all as it seemed stupid] so I have the link on hand
Here is the PDF
https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3421&context=nwc-review
Jesus, that piece is just ridiculous. "No evidence man desires food" would be more believable
yeah it's quite strange. Presumably already in 1993 priming people to believe Svestapol isn't a vital national security concern for Russia.
A military invasion of any kind of the US is just an absurd and somewhat funny concept. Now an invasion of fentanyl, however? That's happening right now. I call it the the Third Opium War...probably deserves its own post.
Re: The book, I'll make sure to check it out. Thanks for the recommendation.
To the point, Well done 👏
Excellent my friend
I missed this comment before but that's very enlightening. Thought it was super condescending when Nuland was handing out bread during 2014. Why only bread? Now it makes a lot more sense. Thanks for sharing.
It sure is. If I didn't at least try to do something about it I wouldn't be able to look my progeny in the eye