Imperial Gamble: Putin, Ukraine, and the New Cold War

Marvin Kalb, Senior Fellow, Brookings Institution; Former Moscow Correspondent and Bureau Chief

Interviewed by Jerrold Green, President and CEO, Pacific Council on International Policy

January 26, 2016
6:30pm - 8:00pm
Santa Monica

As a former Moscow correspondent and bureau chief, Marvin Kalb has a keen understanding of Vladimir Putin and his plans to expand Russia's regional and global influence. In his new book "Imperial Gamble: Putin, Ukraine, and the New Cold War," Kalb provides historical context to the conflict in Ukraine and explains Putin's rise and the roots of Russian nationalism. Kalb goes back centuries to explain the events that created the tension between Russia and Ukraine and led to Putin's invasion of Crimea. Kalb argues that the decision was not as sudden as it appeared. Soon after the pro-Western demonstrations in Ukraine in late 2013, Putin realized military action would be required to prevent Ukraine from joining the West.

The effect of Putin's actions on East-West relations raises more than a few questions about the future world order. The need for Western scholars and policymakers to understand Putin, his motives and his goals is greater than ever. "Putin, like most leaders, has short-term goals and long-term goals, sometimes pursuing both at the same time," Kalb writes. "In pursuit of his goals, he improvises, he plays games, he feints, he prods and pokes, and, when necessary, he pauses and maybe retreats. But he does have a strategy, propelled by a narrow vision of Russian history, and he pursues it with an odd mix of rigidity and occasional flexibility."

Will Washington and Moscow stumble into a confrontation leading to an unwanted conflict? How did we get to this point? Kalb provides carefully considered answers, calling for a policy based on realism. He also outlines options for what we should do next, and explains their likely consequences.