Should We Fear Russia?

Dr. Dmitri Vitalyevich Trenin, PhD born 1955.Trenin is a historian, political analyst, and author. Before joining Carnegie in 1994, he served for 21 years in the Soviet Army and Russian Ground Forces, retiring in 1993 at the rank of colonel. Trenin has authored, co-authored, or edited numerous books on the topics of Russia, Eurasia, Russia-United States relations, Russia-European Union relations, Russia-China relations, and politics and international relations in the Commonwealth of Independent States. He has published in Russian, English, German, Japanese and Chinese.

"No one is a wiser, more sophisticated, more subtle or more balanced student of Russian foreign-policy then Dmitri Trenin. No one, anywhere. So, should the West fear Russia? His answer is, yes, but for reasons that are different and vastly more complex than the reasons driving the discourse in the West. US and European leaders will not get their policy toward Russia right, until they come to terms with the arguments in this book."Robert Legvold, Columbia University and author of Return to Cold War"Trenin's book is notable for its brevity, clarity, and sobriety. He positions himself as a therapeutic go-between, attempting to calm the West's fears and temper its knee-jerk Russophobia." Book Forum“This rich and exceedingly well-written book considers whether the impasse in relations between Russia and the West is due to Putin's ‘Realpolitik,’ or whether it reflects Putin's lack of realism about Russia's true national interests. With Trenin we are in good hands. His lively analysis rewards its audience with a stimulating reading and learning experience.”Jack Snyder, Columbia University“Dmitri Trenin is one of the most lucid analysts of Russia writing today. In this short but rich volume, he traces the recent history of misguided policy and conflicts of interest that have produced the current sharp deterioration in relations between Russia and the West. A "new normal" has emerged, he argues. It is not a second Cold War but a period of new challenges and opportunities, in which seeing Russia clearly is critical to peace and security. To that end, there is no better place to start than this present essay.”Thomas Graham, Managing Director, Kissinger Associates; former Senior Director for Russia on the US National Security Council staff"Dmitri Trenin offers a balanced and thoughtful analysis of the ambitions, anxieties, and interests that have shaped Russian policy toward the West since the end of the Cold War. It is a welcome antidote to the one-dimensional views of Russia and President Putin that prevail in Western commentary."Henry Kissinger“Dmitri Trenin makes a clear and compelling case that Russia’s Realpolitik may become more realistic, and argues that the West should fear Russia’s weakness more than its strength. Trenin’s voice of reason makes an important and hopeful contribution to the current policy debate.”Joseph S. Nye, Jr. , Harvard University, and author of Is the American Century Over?"There are times when the right book comes by at the right time, giving exactly the kind of insight or boost you need. This is that time, although I wish it wasn’t. Should We Fear Russia? by Dmitri Trenin is more than apropo for our time… A copy of this should be sent to every member of Congress, especially those on the Foreign Affairs Committee."Blog Critics

• Preface vi Introduction 1CHAPTER 1: ANALYSIS OF FEARS 22CHAPTER 2: THE RUSSIA CHALLENGE 56CHAPTER 3: BRINGING RUSSIA INTO LINE 76CHAPTER 4: NAVIGATING THE NEW NORMAL 98CONCLUSION: HOW CONFLICT WITH THE WEST IMPACTS ON RUSSIA 116FURTHER READING 122Notes 124