“I think it is obvious that NATO's expansion does not have any relation with the modernisation of the alliance itself, or with ensuring security in Europe. On the contrary, it represents a serious provocation that reduces the level of mutual trust. And we have the right to ask: against whom is this expansion intended?”
That was Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Munich Security Conference in 2007. This speech encapsulates Putin's long-simmering critique of the West and his framing of NATO's expansion as a form of provocation. It is often pointed to, today, as the beginning of Putin's foreign policy that led to the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Some in the West, most notably Tucker Carlson, have swallowed this argument hook, line and sinker—and continue to repeat it today.
In this week's episode, we spoke to Michael C. Kimmage, Chair of the History Department at Catholic University of America (CUA) and author of Collisions (2024), a new book with Oxford University Press that documents the build-up to all-out war between Russia and Ukraine. In his book, and in our discussion today, Kimmage takes us through the key moments that led to the invasion of February 2022.
As always, please rate and review Uncommon Decency on whatever platform you use, and send us your comments or questions either on Twitter at @UnDecencyPod or by e-mail at undecencypod@gmail.com. We’re also continuing our giveaway of the "How to Win Brexit" board game to our patreons, so sign up today for a chance to win one. Thank you, and we hope you enjoy this episode!
Bibliography:
104. Regulating AI, with Ian Bremmer & Anu Bradford
103. America First, Europe Alone? with Shashank Joshi & Bruno Tertrais
102. Woke America, Anti-Woke Europe? with Yascha Mounk & Pierre Valentin
101. Munich Recap: Trump's NATO Remarks & Europe's Role in Israel—Decency Deep Dive
100. Franco-German Russian Illusions, with Sylvie Kauffmann & Guy Chazan
99. The Left-Right Divide: A Eulogy? with Rob Ford & François Hublet
98. 2024: European Inflection Point? Decency Deep Dive
97. Geert Wilders and the Rise of Platinum Populism, with Caroline de Gruyter & Ewald Engelen
96. The Strange Death of Spain, with William Chislett & Michael Reid
95. The New Poland, with Marek Matraszek & David Engels
94. The Americanization of Race, with Tomiwa Owolade & Remi Adekoya
93. The Spanish Right's Coalitional Conundrum, the EU's Looming Migration Crisis & Ukraine's Counteroffensive—Decency Deep Dive
92. Who Are Today's Europeans? with Ben Judah
91. Erdoğan's Odds-Defying Presidential Win, with Birol Baskan & Judd King
90. Zelensky's World Tour, Sunak's Comeback & Mitsotakis' Winning Formula—Decency Deep Dive
89. Charles III: Last King of Britain? with Peter Riddell
88. The Rise (and Fall?) of Erdogan, with Ryan Gingeras & Birol Baskan
87. Macron in China, Meloni Magic—Decency Deep Dive [BONUS]
86. The Ghost of Franco & Spain's Memory Wars, with Michael Reid & Nigel Townson
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Tucker Carlson Podcast
The Matt Walsh Show
The Glenn Beck Program
Mark Levin Podcast
The Michael Knowles Show