1st Edition

Vladimir Putin and Russia's Imperial Revival

By David E. McNabb Copyright 2016
    254 Pages 33 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    Discerning the early stages of the rebirth of a new Russian empire from the ashes of the Soviet Union, Vladimir Putin and Russia’s Imperial Revival argues that Russia’s recent overtly aggressive actions and foreign policy doctrines have signaled a renewal of the Cold War. At the least, Russia’s actions represent the potential for renewal. This book explains these developments in a historical context.

    The book begins by describing Russia’s initial policy of rapprochement after the collapse of the Soviet Union and its development into a foreign policy of threatened or actual armed aggression. It identifies today’s Russia as a nation determined to re-establish itself as a political and military force. As a prominent figure in the development and continuation of its current foreign policy, Vladimir Putin plays a central role in the topics covered.

    Previous literature often treats Putin as an individual phenomenon examining his connections to corruption or the secret police, but here David E. McNabb examines him as the latest in a long history of Russian despots who followed similar expansionist policies. He details some of the tactics Putin uses to instill fear and dominate political policies of republics newly independent from Russia. These tactics include the use of energy as a weapon, cyber terrorism, and military support for ethnic Russian separatists in other sovereign nations, most recently exemplified by Russia’s annexation of Crimea from Ukraine via armed invasion.

    In an attempt to demystify Russia’s re-emergence as an international political force, Vladimir Putin and Russia’s Imperial Revival grounds its analyses in history. It explores as far back as the establishment of the first Russian empire, and regards Putin as a leader determined to establish a fifth imperial incarnation. It provides a nuanced understanding of how Russia arrived at its current position through recent and distant internal and international events.

    A MILLENNIUM OF EMPIRE BUILDING

    The Collapse and Rebirth of an Empire
    Introduction
    Rebuilding a Nation
    Shaping Putin’s Foreign Policy
    Rise of the Phoenix
    Regaining Status Lost
    Ending Ties with the West
    A Renewal of the Cold War?
    Resurrecting Relations with "Special-Interest" Neighbors
    Conclusion

    Stages in the Building of a Russian Empire
    Introduction
    The Kievan Rus Empire
    The Muscovite Empire
    The Romanov Empire
    The Soviet Empire
    Conclusion

    FROM UNCERTAINTY TO SUPREME CONFIDENCE

    Russia’s Foreign Policy in Transition
    Introduction
    Factors Shaping Post-Soviet Foreign Policy
    A New Role for Russia?
    Rebuilding the State
    Russia, the EU, and NATO
    Conclusion

    The Putin-Era Foreign Policy of Consolidation
    Introduction
    Evolution of the Consolidation Policy
    Putin-Era Foreign Relations
    Foreign Policy Goals
    Russia’s Use of Soft Power
    Conclusion

    Building Defensive Barriers
    Introduction
    Building Barriers in the West
    Building Barriers in the East
    Colonization and Deportation in the Conquered Territories
    Conclusion

    RUSSIA’S FOREIGN POLICY WEAPONS

    Reforming and Rearming Russia’s Military
    Introduction
    The Need for Reforms
    2000-2008 Military Reforms
    2008-2015 Military Reforms and Reorganizations
    All-Forces Personnel Reductions
    Rearming the Russian Military
    Conclusion

    Russia’s Undeclared Cyber Wars
    Introduction
    Cyber Tactics
    2007: Cyber War with Estonia
    2008: Cyber War with Lithuania
    2009: Kyrgyzstan under Cyber Attack
    2009: Cyber and Shooting War with Georgia
    Cyber Wars with Ukraine
    Conclusion

    The Energy Weapon in Russia’s Foreign Policy
    Introduction
    State Control of Energy Resources
    Control of Transit Routes and Modes
    Means for Implementing the Energy Weapon
    Acquiescence of Target Countries
    Conclusion

    RUSSIA’S FOREIGN POLICY IN ACTION

    Russian Aggression in Ukraine: Empire Revival
    Introduction
    History of Russian-Ukraine Relations
    Putin’s Revenge
    What Happens Next?
    Conclusion

    Russian Intimidation in the Baltic and Nordic States
    Introduction
    Future Regional Security Scenarios
    Changes in the West’s View of Post-Soviet Russia
    Conclusion

    Russian Foreign Policy after Putin
    Introduction
    What Role for Russia?
    The Putin/Medvedev Power Vertical
    Alternative Foreign Policy Strategies
    The Recurring Foreign Policy Aim
    Implications for the West
    Russia’s Relations with the West
    Scenarios for a Russia after Putin
    Conclusion

    Biography

    David E. McNabb, PhD, is a professor emeritus at Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, Washington; an adjunct professor at Olympic College, Bremerton, Washington; and a recent consultant for an agency of the federal government. He earned his PhD at Oregon State University. He has authored 12 books with another forthcoming, is a joint author of two books, and author or joint author of nearly 100 articles and conference papers. His research interests are in the transformation of government institutions in the United States and in the Baltic states. He is or has been a member of several organizations related to political science, public administration, and European studies.