Lands in Between: Russia vs. the West and the New Politics of Hybrid War

Russia's stealth invasion of Ukraine and its assault on the US elections in 2016 highlighted the effects of hybrid war, which has polarized parties and voters into two camps: those who support a Western vision of liberal democracy and those who support a Russian vision of nationalist authoritarianism. The Lands in Between: The New Politics of Russia's Hybrid War contends that these lands in between hold powerful lessons for Western countries, as politics increasingly boils down to a zero-sum civilizational choice between Russia and the West.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 248 pages
\n Publication date: 30 May 2019
\n Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc
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Russia's covert invasion of Ukraine and its meddling in the 2016 US elections have brought to the forefront the consequences of hybrid warfare, a complex and evolving form of conflict that challenges the traditional understanding of warfare. While the West, for the most part, is relatively new to the complexities of election hacking, state-sponsored disinformation campaigns, influence operations by foreign security services, and frozen conflicts, frontline states between Russia and the European Union have been grappling with these issues for years.

In his book "The Lands in Between: The New Politics of Russia's Hybrid War," author Alexander Motyl argues that these "lands in between" hold valuable lessons for Western countries. Western politics, Motyl suggests, is increasingly mirroring the dynamics of these regions, where hybrid warfare has polarized parties and voters into two camps: those who support a Western vision of liberal democracy and those who embrace a Russian vision of nationalist authoritarianism.

This polarization is paradoxical, as it implies a zero-sum civilizational choice between Russia and the West. However, the individuals who rise to the pinnacle of political systems in these lands are often non-ideological power brokers who have found a way to profit from both sides, taking rewards from Russia and the West. As the conflict deepens, these political pathologies of small, vulnerable, and backward states in Europe become our problems as well.

In this increasingly interconnected world, we are all lands in between, and our actions and decisions have the potential to shape the course of events in these complex regions. The West must recognize the gravity of the situation and take proactive measures to address the challenges posed by hybrid warfare. This includes strengthening cybersecurity, promoting democratic values, and fostering dialogue and cooperation between different nations.

Furthermore, the West must also acknowledge the role that its own policies and actions play in contributing to the conflict. For example, the ongoing sanctions against Russia have had economic consequences, but they may also be contributing to Russia's sense of isolation and frustration, which could fuel further aggression.

In conclusion, Russia's covert invasion of Ukraine and its meddling in the 2016 US elections have highlighted the urgent need for the West to confront the effects of hybrid warfare. By learning from the experiences of frontline states, promoting democratic values, and taking a nuanced approach to international relations, the West can help mitigate the risks of conflict and promote stability in these complex regions.

\n Weight: 388g\n
Dimension: 148 x 216 x 22 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780190936143\n \n