How Putin Fooled the Western Left

As Putin's brutal invasion of Ukraine continues, we look at the failures of the Western left to grasp what is going on.

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[andrewstehlik]

I am born Czech and thankful for expansion of NATO.
We were occupied in 1968 by the Russian imperialists. We and other East European countries are desperate to be protected against Russian brutes. Just look what they are doing to Ukraine! And why do you think Fins and Swedes were so eager to join in?

[thereallocke]

I hate how they dont give the same consideration to Ukraine for their national security or political destiny. In the end it's just saying that might makes right as long as the might isnt American

[pizzaiq]

Thank you for putting this together Vlad. I am quite frustrated with Chomsky and the like. Eastern European countries do not 'belong' to Russia, let alone Putin. We want NATO guaranteed safety and Putin can showe his arbitraty wishes up where those belong. I've been confused by these people's idea that Putin has to be given something. Given what? My country isn't a cookie that is to be given to anybody. What a ludicrous misreading of the circumstances.

[Upsideround]

This seems like blaming the victim. " you are the victim of abuse because you looked at your attacker with a skeptical eye" Vlad you articulate things in a way I wish I could.

[ArtfulDodger]

Its simple. They are principally anti american not anti imperialist. Thier approach to geopolitics is the enemy of my enemy is my friend.

[laurabjork]

I am a leftist in the Baltics. I always love how many of these leftists, saying NATO should not have expanded somehow forget - we chose to join NATO. Maybe we deserve to have a choise? And also how many pacts have Russia signed and broken when it comes to Eastern Europe?

[Cico]

Some people would have no problem if Central and Eastern Europe became Moscow's vassals again. It's shocking how easy it is for someone to trade human lives, especially when the ocean is protecting you.

[aisteniko]

Thank you for your analysis. Im Lithuanian. We understand what it is russian occupation.

[harrylion]

As a leftist in America, this has frustrated me to no end. Thank you for talking about this Vlad and have a good one.

[pertedin]

Since I live in a (formerly) neutral country, I get upset every time someone suggests that NATO expansion is a devious American plot to surround/contain/threat Russia. The Swedish position (and it is sound) has always been that all nations - not least the small and neutral ones - have an absolute right to choose their own national security policy, i.e. to join NATO or not. NATO has never forced anyone to join - but someone may have felt compelled to join because of the Kremlin's actions. Chomsky's arguments are not only one-eyed US-centric, they also imply that no country has the ability and/or knowledge to determine its own security policy, which borders on intellectual dishonesty.

[DeviousDumplin]

Here's your daily reminder that Noam Chomsky denied the Cambodian genocide and carried out a letter writing campaign to convince newspapers to ignore reports about the genocide. He also denied the Srebrenica massacre and called the death camps 'humanitarian camps.' Chomsky is awful, and the fact that neither of these outrages affected his reputation on the Left is truly damning.

[iainbaker]

One of the problems with American intellectuals is that they seem to think everything other nations do is in some way a response to something the US has done. They appear to forget that other nations are quite capable of doing things entirely on their own.

[TheFireGiver]

I am left of center and I have really appreciated the clarity the war has given to politics. It shows who is serious on the left and who is a clown. If you are so worried about the west that you condone imperialism as long as it isnt western imperialism then you arent a serious person and can be safely ignored. If you take Russias imperialism seriously then i can take you seriously even if we may disagree on specific politics.

[YOVOZOL]

Well done! The most ironic thing I see about some "anti-colonial" American intellectuals blaming the USA for the current war in Ukraine is that it never occurs to them that Eastern Europeans (including Ukrainians) might have minds of their own, and a long history with Russian aggression that gives them reasons to get as far away from Russia's sphere of influence as possible. It's soooo USA-centric it frustrates me so much. God I hope the alt-left doesn't start collaborating with the alt-right on US foreign policy on this matter 🤦‍♂️

[RichardHuffman]

The way Poland essentially browbeat NATO until they were admitted deserves comment all on its own. As you pointed out, the former Warsaw Pact largely wanted into NATO because they knew EXACTLY what Russia is like.

[evanb]

Russia explicitly promised not to invade Ukraine if they surrendered nukes (Budapest Memo). So anyone who criticized NATO expansion should be harder on Russia.

[TByrom]

Hey Vlad, THANK YOU FOR THIS!!!
I’m a politically active US secular progressive and find myself fighting against both sides of the aisle. Your introductory analysis and commentary on the maddening reality of my and out erstwhile progressive allies and activists is both informative and genuinely comforting to me. Thanks, dear kind Vlad.

[billy]

There are many personalities I used to enjoy listening to and thinking "with" who fell into this trap. It's been frustrating, disappointing, and in some cases heartbreaking. I feel a bit better, understanding more thoroughly where they're coming from. Thank you for that, Vlad.

Also - loving the overhead camera angle, boss. Great editing, great pace - this is one of your best, and worth waiting for - thank you! (Lots of love, talk soon ;) )

[bonfoobl]

Mr. Vexler, I really appreciate you modelling critical analysis that aspires to transcend tribalism, presents opposing views in good faith and reminds everyone to “invite everyone to the table.” You’re an island in a storm.

[kerontherun]

as an ukrainian leftist, it makes me... well, mostly facepalm at this point. it's good that there're people out there who can see putin's regime for what it is