Why the Bad Guys are Winning (with Anne Applebaum) | Shield of the Republic Podcast

TL;DR

Putin's repeated actions of creating crises and threatening neighboring countries pose a threat to democracy and reveal his autocratic and kleptocratic motives.

Transcript

welcome to shield of the republic a podcast dedicated to the proposition articulated by walter littmann during world war ii that u.s foreign policy and national security policy is the shield of our democratic republic if we can keep it shield of the republic is sponsored by the bulwark and the miller center of public affairs at uva i'm eric edelman... Read More

Key Insights

• ✊ Putin's actions are deliberately creating crises to maintain power and weaken neighboring countries.
• ✊ Autocratic regimes collaborate and share tactics to undermine democracy and maintain their own power.
• 🥳 The decline of one political party in the US and its authoritarian leanings is a worrisome threat to American democracy.
• 😮 There is a need for a strong response from democratic nations to counter the rise of autocracy and kleptocracy.
• 🫵 Historical experiences, such as the collapse of communism, have shaped the views of journalists and intellectuals.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is Putin's strategy in creating repeated crises and threatening neighboring countries?

According to Applebaum, Putin's actions serve the purpose of maintaining power and diverting attention from his regime's corruption. He also aims to weaken neighboring countries and restore a Soviet-style empire.

Q: How does Putin use propaganda to maintain power?

Putin uses anti-American and anti-democracy rhetoric as a centerpiece of Russian propaganda, portraying the West as degenerate and chaotic. This strategy helps him maintain domestic legitimacy and divert attention from his regime's failures.

Q: How should the Biden administration respond to Putin's aggression?

Applebaum commends the Biden administration for raising awareness about the situation and emphasizing that Russia's actions are unacceptable. It is crucial to support Ukraine and maintain deterrence against Russian aggression while exposing Putin's disinformation tactics.

Q: What are the key challenges in countering the rise of autocracy and kleptocracy?

The cooperation between autocratic regimes poses challenges to democratic nations. Tackling corruption, strengthening institutions, and promoting democratic movements both domestically and internationally are essential to pushing back against the autocratic threat.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Ann Applebaum warns that Putin's actions are deliberately creating crises to maintain power and weaken neighboring countries.

• While an actual invasion of Ukraine may not be strategically useful for Putin, his aggressive moves and rhetoric threaten regional stability.

• The rise of autocratic regimes collaborating to undermine democracy is a global challenge that requires a strong response from democratic nations.