Putin's Wars : The Rise of Russia's New Imperialism

This fully updated book offers the first systematic analysis of Putin’s three wars, placing the Second Chechen War, the war with Georgia of 2008, and the war with Ukraine of 2014–2015 in their broader historical context. Drawing on extensive original Russian sources, Marcel H. Van Herpen analyzes in detail how Putin’s wars were prepared and conducted, and why they led to allegations of war crimes and genocide. He shows how the conflicts functioned to consolidate and legitimate Putin’s regime and explores how they were connected to a fourth, hidden, “internal war” waged by the Kremlin against the opposition. The author convincingly argues that the Kremlin—relying on the secret services, the Orthodox Church, the Kremlin youth “Nashi,” and the rehabilitated Cossacks—is preparing for an imperial revival, most recently in the form of a “Eurasian Union.” An essential book for understanding the dynamics of Putin’s regime, this study digs deep into the Kremlin’s secret long-term strategies. Readable and clearly argued, it makes a compelling case that Putin’s regime emulates an established Russian paradigm in which empire building and despotic rule are mutually reinforcing. As the first comprehensive exploration of the historical antecedents and political continuity of the Kremlin’s contemporary policies, Van Herpen’s work will make a valuable contribution to the literature on post-Soviet Russia, and his arguments will stimulate a fascinating and vigorous debate. Part I. Russia and the curse of empire -- Despotism and the quest for empire -- Comparing western and Russian legitimation theories for empire -- Putin and the end of Russian "empire fatigue"--Putin's grand design -- The Eurasian Union: Putin's newest imperial project -- Part II. The "internal war"--Russia as a "pluralist" one-party state -- Preaching the ultranationalist gospel: the transformation of "united Russia" -- The Nashi: Fascist blackshirts or a New Komsomol? -- Send in the Cossacks -- Part III. The wheels of war -- Three lost wars: from Afghanistan to the First Chechen War -- The mysterious apartment bombings: detonator of the Second Chechen War -- The Second Chechen War: Putin's war -- The war with Georgia, Part I: a premeditated Russian aggression -- The war with Georgia, Part II: six events announcing the Kremlin's preparation for war -- The war with Georgia, Part III: the propaganda war -- Origins of the war in Ukraine -- Russia's "hybrid war" in Ukraine: five scenarios -- Conclusion This book offers a systematic analysis of Putin's three wars, placing the Second Chechen War, the war with Georgia of 2008, and the war with Ukraine of 2014-2015 in their broader historical context. Drawing on original Russian sources, Marcel H. Van Herpen analyzes in detail how Putin's wars were prepared and conducted, and why they led to allegations of war crimes and genocide. He shows how the conflicts functioned to consolidate and legitimate Putin's regime and explores how they were connected to a fourth, hidden, internal war waged by the Kremlin against the opposition. The author argues that the Kremlin -- relying on the secret services, the Orthodox Church, the Kremlin youth Nashi, and the rehabilitated Cossacks -- is preparing for an imperial revival, most recently in the form of a Eurasian Union. This book makes a case that Putin's regime emulates an established Russian paradigm in which empire building and despotic rule are mutually reinforcing Part I. Russia and the curse of empire Despotism and the quest for empire Comparing western and Russian legitimation theories for empire Putin and the end of Russian "empire fatigue" Putin's grand design The Eurasian Union: Putin's newest imperial project Part II. The "internal war" Russia as a "pluralist" one-party state Preaching the ultranationalist gospel: the transformation of "united Russia" The Nashi: Fascist blackshirts or a New Komsomol? Send in the Cossacks Part III. The wheels of war Three lost wars: from Afghanistan to the First Chechen War The mysterious apartment bombings: detonator of the Second Chechen War The Second Chechen War: Putin's war The war with Georgia, Part I: a premeditated Russian aggression The war with Georgia, Part II: six events announcing the Kremlin's preparation for war The war with Georgia, Part III: the propaganda war Origins of the war in Ukraine Russia's "hybrid war" in Ukraine: five scenarios Conclusion. Title Page Author Note and Acknowledgments Glossary and Abbreviations Preface to the Second Edition Introduction Part 1. Russia and the Curse of Empire 1. Despotism and the Quest for Empire 2. Comparing Western and Russian Legitimation Theories for Empire 3. Putin and the End of Russian “Empire Fatigue” 4. Putin’s Grand Design 5. The Eurasian Union Part 2. The “Internal War” 6. Russia as a “Pluralist” One-Party State 7. Preaching the Ultranationalist Gospel 8. The Nashi 9. Send in the Cossacks Part 3. The Wheels of War 10. Three Lost Wars 11. The Mysterious Apartment Bombings 12. The Second Chechen War 13. The War with Georgia, Part I 14. The War with Georgia, Part II 15. The War with Georgia, Part III 16. Origins of the War in Ukraine 17. Russia’s “Hybrid War” in Ukraine Conclusion Bibliography Index About the Author This fully updated book offers the first systematic analysis of Putin's three wars, placing the Second Chechen War, the war with Georgia of 2008, and the war with Ukraine of 2014-2015 in their broader historical context. Readable and clearly argued, this study is essential for understanding the dynamics of Putin's regime.