Why the Ukraine Crisis Is the West’s Fault

The Liberal Delusions That Provoked Putin

By: John J. Mearsheimer

Narrated by: Kevin Stillwell

Length: 34 mins

Publisher's summary

Conventional wisdom in the West blames the Ukraine crisis on Russian aggression. But this account is wrong: Washington and its European allies actually share most of the responsibility, having spent decades pushing east into Russia’s natural sphere of interest.

©2014 Foreign Affairs (P)2014 Audible Inc.

view of big boys

Author favors russian interests and disregards ukrainian interests, but he doesnt hide it. He thinks Russia defends its safety

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Author uses all the key Kremlin talking points in his article on Ukraine. Ukrainians are noticably absent from his argument. Russia is portrayed in a passive manner, merely reacting to the 'aggressive' West

Interesting points, however...

The author does a good job emphasizing the history and point that Ukraine should stay neutral from a geopolitical standpoint. However, I disagree that it should not have the right to self determination. Foreign thinkers and politicians, both Eastern and Western, have seemingly always dictated the actions and history of Ukraine as well as many other Eastern European countries.
Historically, Ukraine was and still is of no consequence to Western nations. In 1932-33, while the Stalinist regime starved 7 million Ukrainians to death, the West did nothing and even journalists wrote articles stating all was well ignoring the problem. In 1944 at the Yalta Conference, Ukraine and Eastern Europe was sold out by Churchill and Roosevelt to Stalin instigating the Iron Curtain for over 50 years. Even in more recent times, the Western powers only become more intrested in Ukraine if Russia is rattled and makes a move.
Thinking that Russia is only making these aggressive moves because the Western powers wanted to expand NATO and relations into Ukraine is simply naive. Russia wants to regain its lost territories and expand back to what it historically claims is theirs. The author sould review this from a historical perspective, specifically going back to the Treaty of Pereyaslav in 1654.

I agree. Worth listening to.

I did not like or agree with the authors book on Israel, but he hits this issue about the Ukraine on the head. My father was born in the Ukraine and immigrated to the US as a youngster after WWI. I have no positive nor warm feelings to the Ukraine for their residents agressive support and assistance to the Nazis. The author is correct that the intervention of the west, especially the US for the military problems their with the break up of their country and the invassion of Putin. No doubt if the shoe was on the other foot such as the Russian import of missles into. Cuba a country that is our neighbor drew us into a potential World Nuclear War with Russia. This time it was our meddling in the Ukraine Russia's neighbor brought Russia into Military action to push us back.

Vindicated by history

At this point, the prescience of this piece is not merely a matter of prognostication but a fact of history. For this reason alone it’s worthy of consideration.

More relevant than ever...

This was lectured years ago. It behooves us to listen. Liberal foreign policy approaches (not "liberal" in the US political sense, but as in one of the two dominant foreign policy frameworks) does not account for real nation-state power policy.

Interesting but ultimately wrong

The correct debate was actually outlined in the text. John advocates the 19th century “enlightenment” concept of submission to large powers. This is the type of outdated thinking that lead to colonialism and many other issues. He openly places this In opposition to “post-modern” individualist thinking where the happiness of the people is paramount. THAT is where “right” stems from. Not the will of the toughest guy in the neighborhood.

Finally, informed logic!

The US wouldn’t want Russia in Mexico - why shouldn’t Russia feel threatened by the West’s interference in Ukraine?

Biased - and why part of my free listens??

Mearsheimer's "alternative" views are well documented, but leave gaping holes in their logic. He attempts to justify Putin's anger at NATO's expansion by effectively suggesting that Ukraine and Georgia should be within Russia's 'sphere of influence', or, at best, that they should be content to be buffer zones, not aligning with East or West. Free to choose their own governments? Self-determination? Nope, they're not entitled to it. He spends time talking about Napoleon and Hitler coming across the Eurasian plains to threaten Moscow, and using this as justification for Putin's need for 'security'. But Mearsheimer conveniently ignores the Tsarist and Soviet empires' respective expansions in the opposite direction. Maybe, just maybe, many states have a justifiable need for NATO's protection from Putin's expansionism? The worst thing about this recording is that it is in effect being promoted by Audible as it's included in my package. Why on earth is this??

Putin is not examined for his character faults.

One sided opinions. No examination of why nato or the west can trust Putin. Not good.

Biased

The title is a bit of a give away but the author has quite extreme views.
I'm not convinced that it is The West's fault having listened to it.
I can understand that the Russian government felt threatened by the expansion of NATO but jumping to the conclusion that is The West's fault is extreme.

The author expresses anti-liberal views which are irrelevant to the subject and unnecessary.

A very considered pragmatic overview of the Ukraine situation

This is a short but very informative lecture. I found it to be more pertinent in 2022 as it was in 2014. Gives me the creeps to imagine why it’s not the foreign policy it ought to be. The analogy with Cuba is all you need to think about

Excellent analysis by Mearsheimer

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Very interesting article which provides an alternative narrative on the Ukraine crisis and its origins to the typical Western one.

Who was your favorite character and why?

N/a for this article.

What about Kevin Stillwell’s performance did you like?

Highly skilled and professional reading.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Its definitely an article that makes you think

Any additional comments?

Well worth a listen

Good source of information.. but form your own views

Haven’t checked his times /dates meetings and briefings of the protagonists will take them as being accurate…. Detect a Russian Point of view but with that said .. he softens out towards the end .. your logic would normally fall behind a country wishing to express itself in the way it feels however with the history and the location…. “steady as she goes” would surely be the shout to the captain of this ship… antagonising the brown bear that’s your next door neighbour surely it’s not a great idea especially with your (allies )poking with their long political sticks from their homes safely far away .. The Great Bears reach and power has dwindled over the years and continues to do so.. don’t give it a reason to become hungry again..A neutral Ukraine should be considered safer for all..

Interesting but misguided

An interesting and persuasive argument which fails the test of reality. The writer should read Philip Short's masterpiece, 'Putin' and would then understand that while the West holds some responsibility for prodding the Russian bear the crisis in Ukraine would never have occurred without Putin and his megalomaniacal desires for the reconstitution of the Russian Empire.

The West is at fault for the conflict in Ukraine

Listen to this audiobook if you want to find out the real cause of the Ukrainian conflict. It’s short and to the point.

Excellent analysis

John J Mearsheimer does a superb job of dissecting the issues and calmly explains how the West has screwed up yet again with its incessant interference in 3rd Country politics.

Prescient

As the war unfolds in the Ukraine, this short article argues 'the West's' (the EU and NATO) expansion eastwards has enraged Russian leaders. Whilst we in the West all wish for democracy and economic wealth Russia still has the old world. Realist view, of international relations. Perhaps we if our leaders had paid more attention to this we could have avoided such a destructive war. My commiserations to all of the dead and their grieving families.