[February 18, 2024] The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine has brought out some of the best and worst in each country, with Russia demonstrating how to conduct both traditional warfare and war crimes simultaneously. It’s an unusual act today when so many have predicted the end of attrition warfare made common by Nazi Germany, Imperialist Japan, and later by the hermit kingdom North Korea. Further, our betters and other assorted “experts” predicted with glee that brutal armed combat in the modern era is just passé; it’s over, never to be seen again in such an enlightened global economy. Alas, they have been proven wrong. The war-solves-nothing crowd is being seen now as little cry babies who lost their biggest and brightest toy of a world utopia. To think it would take Russia to destroy that vision since 2022 when they invaded Ukraine, should come as no surprise to geopolitical realists that have been shunted to the back corner office basement. We now see that traditional warfare has a place, and the big bully on the block – Russia – may not be as formidable as we all thought. Thus, today’s reading list addition is written by Dr. Leon Aron, an acclaimed Russian studies scholar, AEI senior fellow, and Moscow native who chronicled much of the transformation of Russian politics and society under Putin.
Riding the Tiger: Vladimir Putin’s Russia and the Uses of War, Leon Aron, 2023
I will point to Paul Gregory’s article in The Washington Free Beacon (link here), which gives us a look into Putin’s brain to figure out what is happening. Remember, I noted earlier about the importance of leaders knowing how to get into the mind of your enemy and that is what Dr. Aron does with his new book. “Riding the Tiger” follows Putin from his youth to his rise in power and the present war on Ukraine and holding the Russian Federation together. According to Aron, “to roam freely in Putin’s brain,” we have two competing explanations for what makes him “tick.” The first is that Putin is a dedicated Russian patriot on a mission to correct the wrongs against Russia, and whatever he does is for Mother Russia. The second is that Putin is part of a criminal enterprise that steals from Mother Russia to gain wealth and power. Aaron writes that it is difficult to “test” these two competing explanations because both lead to the same circumstances.
Aron believes that Putin exists in an “alternate reality” where Russia is simply bringing Ukraine back into the fold of Mother Russia. The propaganda arm of Putin’s – and, yes, it is his propaganda arm – says that Ukraine has always been a part of Russia since the 16th century, and it belongs to her now. From Russian public surveys, we see that three of four Russian citizens now answer that Stalin’s USSR was the “best Time” in Russian history. Thus, Russia has become a fortress besieged from within and without and requires a Stalin-like “vigilance” to maintain the good Russia. Putin, therefore, is the only man to stand up against the evil U.S.-NATO alliance. Paul Gregory notes that Aron’s book subhead is “uses of war,” and indeed, “Putin’s rule has been characterized by his uses of war from Chechnya, Georgia, Syria, and Ukraine.” Putin is the Mafia Don. Or, as he notes, Don Putin.
Highly recommended.
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Please read my books:
- “55 Rules for a Good Life,” on Amazon (link here).
- “Our Longest Year in Iraq,” on Amazon (link here).
Side Note: Please remember and take a look at Tom Copeland’s reading blog. His website, which I highly recommend, can be found here: https://militaryreadinglists.com/map
Excellent article. Pultin is a dictator. We need to pray for Ukraine. We need to get Pultin out of Leadership
Excellent. Thanks for re-starting your Book Reviews.
Best of the best commentary:
“The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine has brought out some of the best and worst in each country, with Russia demonstrating how to conduct both traditional warfare and war crimes simultaneously. It’s an unusual act today when so many have predicted the end of attrition warfare made common by Nazi Germany, Imperialist Japan, and later by the hermit kingdom North Korea. Further, our betters and other assorted “experts” predicted with glee that brutal armed combat in the modern era is just passé; it’s over, never to be seen again in such an enlightened global economy. Alas, they have been proven wrong. ” — Gen. Doug Satterfield nails it once again.
Indeed, best commentary. This is one of the main reasons that I read this leadership blog. The books that Gen. Satterfield reviews are a worthwhile read.
Gen. Satterfield, the gift that keeps on giving. I appreicate you recognizing this book on Putin’s hegemony. I’m sure it is worth reading and BTW, excellent review.
Another great book review by Gen. Satterfield. 📚
I have a cousin who refuses to read. No need to read. She says that it is a waste of time. And, of course, she is a narcissist and no one can tell her anything. She is what we call a “boss babe” and she knows everything, thus no need to read anything at all. Her husband is a simp and her kids are out of control. Go figure. Anyone who goes to her home (not his home because he is weak) says that the place is cluttered with toys, dogs, and dirty clothes – total chaos. Who would want to live in a place like that. Oh, did I write she doesn’t read?
Probably a Democrat. 🫏🏇
Yep! Hard core!
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Audrey, that is because they are brought up getting a trophy for last place in a game for their entire lives. Remember they will tell you the world revolves around them.
Thanks Gen. Satterfield, I’ve been missing your book reviews. I know that .. and most of us know that .. you have covered some of the greatest books in Western (and some Eastern) societies. I look forward to getting a copy of this book at the library (but they won’t have it) and more likely just buying a copy like I did of your book “55 Rules for a Good Life.” Well done!
I agree, Jeff. If you want to be a better person, then read good books. 😉
How far back in history do we go?
“Aron believes that Putin exists in an “alternate reality” where Russia is simply bringing Ukraine back into the fold of Mother Russia. The propaganda arm of Putin’s – and, yes, it is his propaganda arm – says that Ukraine has always been a part of Russia since the 16th century, and it belongs to her now. “
Good review, thanks Gen. Satterfield. It is good to get into the mind of your opponent/enemy/competition.
EXACTLY … 👀👀👀👀👀