Russia, once a great power state during its empire and cold war era, is taking opportunities to gain power again over its rivals, and the United States (U.S.) being the greatest one. Since Russia has revisionist intention in its core, it is not satisfied with the post-cold war international order, and seeks its rightful place among great power states. Russia’s intent to maximize power and its ultimate goal to rise again as a hegemon, challenges current international order. Russia is trying to shift the balance of power on her behalf vis-à-vis other states, especially its historical rivals, the U.S. and greater European states.2 In order to shift the balance of power, Russia must confront its rivals and decline their political, economic,
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national interests. In late February 2014, Russia crossed the Ukrainian border with its armed forces and seized Crimea peninsula. For the first time after the Second World War, European borders were violated, and politics of the East and West had dramatically shifted.3 Sizing Crimea, Russia changed rules of the international relations and confirmed beginning of shifting power in the international order.4 Actions that Russia took in occupying Crimea indisputably underlines Russian’s attempt to change the balance of power set after the Cold War and collapse of the Soviet Union. Furthermore, Russia with its actions, is trying to challenge and change paradigm of 1991 and President G.H.W. Bush’s proclamation of a “new world order.”5 Crimea is just the last step Russia took to undermine international order, thus gaining power in order to emerge once again as a great power state. Russia’s increased involvement in different world’s issues shows its desire to be once again one of the major players in the international scene. Involvement in Iranian nuclear weapons issue, fight against ISIS, political involvement in Syria’s civil war, China, and Ukraine, indicate that Russia is already playing a key role in the international system.6 Russia is fulfilling its key goal and gaining more power, presenting itself as an alternative …show more content…
led West as usual enemy.13 Moreover, the U.S. become Putin’s greatest adversary as he sees it as a world’s hegemon who’s power must decline in order to raise Russia’s.14 Putin sees U.S. as greatest obstacle on his ultimate goal as he noted: “Over many years, even decades, whenever the U.S. has attempted to undermine or contain Russia, it has failed, just as Nazis had failed in WWII.”15 In addition, Putin already started to undermine the U.S. credibility creating false news and spreading false or controversial information. As he controls state media and has “troll army” of hundreds bloggers and hackers, they work hard to flood internet and social media with information against the West, thus disrupting international relations and domestic policies of other states.16 Using those means of attack, he is undermining U.S. credibility and creating disruption in the international
national interests. In late February 2014, Russia crossed the Ukrainian border with its armed forces and seized Crimea peninsula. For the first time after the Second World War, European borders were violated, and politics of the East and West had dramatically shifted.3 Sizing Crimea, Russia changed rules of the international relations and confirmed beginning of shifting power in the international order.4 Actions that Russia took in occupying Crimea indisputably underlines Russian’s attempt to change the balance of power set after the Cold War and collapse of the Soviet Union. Furthermore, Russia with its actions, is trying to challenge and change paradigm of 1991 and President G.H.W. Bush’s proclamation of a “new world order.”5 Crimea is just the last step Russia took to undermine international order, thus gaining power in order to emerge once again as a great power state. Russia’s increased involvement in different world’s issues shows its desire to be once again one of the major players in the international scene. Involvement in Iranian nuclear weapons issue, fight against ISIS, political involvement in Syria’s civil war, China, and Ukraine, indicate that Russia is already playing a key role in the international system.6 Russia is fulfilling its key goal and gaining more power, presenting itself as an alternative …show more content…
led West as usual enemy.13 Moreover, the U.S. become Putin’s greatest adversary as he sees it as a world’s hegemon who’s power must decline in order to raise Russia’s.14 Putin sees U.S. as greatest obstacle on his ultimate goal as he noted: “Over many years, even decades, whenever the U.S. has attempted to undermine or contain Russia, it has failed, just as Nazis had failed in WWII.”15 In addition, Putin already started to undermine the U.S. credibility creating false news and spreading false or controversial information. As he controls state media and has “troll army” of hundreds bloggers and hackers, they work hard to flood internet and social media with information against the West, thus disrupting international relations and domestic policies of other states.16 Using those means of attack, he is undermining U.S. credibility and creating disruption in the international