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  • 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
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (153 ratings)
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Why the Ukraine Crisis Is the West’s Fault cover art

Why the Ukraine Crisis Is the West’s Fault

By: John J. Mearsheimer
Narrated by: Kevin Stillwell
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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.

What listeners say about Why the Ukraine Crisis Is the West’s Fault

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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??

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13 people found this helpful

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  • 24-02-22

Putin is not examined for his character faults.

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

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6 people found this helpful

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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.

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6 people found this helpful

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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

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5 people found this helpful

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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

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4 people found this helpful

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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..

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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.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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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.

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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.

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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.

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