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

This book provides a systematic analysis of Putin's three wars, placing them in their broader historical context and examining how they consolidated and legitimized his regime. It also explores the Kremlin's "internal war" against the opposition and argues that the Kremlin is preparing for an imperial revival. A must-read for understanding the dynamics of Putin's regime, this study offers valuable insights into the Kremlin's secret long-term strategies.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 03 January 2024
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

This fully revised book provides the first comprehensive analysis of Putin's three wars, placing the Second Chechen War, the war with Georgia in 2008, and the war with Ukraine in their broader historical context. Drawing on extensive original Russian sources, Marcel H. Van Herpen meticulously analyzes how Putin's wars were prepared and conducted, and why they led to allegations of war crimes and genocide. He demonstrates how the conflicts served 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 delves 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.

Weight: 490g
Dimension: 229 x 152 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781538183878
Edition number: Third Edition