Mikhail Khodorkovsky and Timothy Snyder on Europe: Past Tense, Future Perfect?

Mikhail Khodorkovsky speaks on the future of Europe (and Russia) at the Milken Conference in Los Angeles.

In a time of rising authoritarianism and global turmoil, many are looking to prosperous and democratic Europe for leadership. But even as the Eurozone economies seem to finally be recovering from crisis, extremist parties are on the rise and the U.K. is preparing to leave the E.U. How can Europe reconcile the tensions of income inequality and widespread prosperity as well as the gap between the values it asserts and the increased fearmongering in its politics? And with Russian and Chinese influence increasing, the question is inevitable: Is this Europe's moment of leadership—or irrelevance—on the world stage?

On the panel:

Mikhail Khodorkovsky - Founder, Open Russia
Timothy Snyder - Professor of History, Yale University
Yascha Mounk - Author and lecturer, Harvard University
Howard Shore - Chairman, Shore Capital
Jyrki Katanien - Vice-President for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness, European Commission; Former Prime Minister, Finland

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[pfflam]

Khodorkovsky is brilliant, and he is risking his life to point out clearly what is happening, couple that with Snyder and you have a perfect storm on the horizon

[maghdean]

Mr. Khodorkovsky's comments were so greatly to the point while so concise, and I also admire Prof. Snyder (as always since I've been listening to him), but Yascha Mounk has become a discovery for me, he's brilliant - thanks!

[jka_]

Chodorkovsky spot on ! Look at What's going on now with Ukraine .

[stevej]

How are you gonna insult Snyder, dude? C'mon, that's just lowly. And his response? Classy and informative. Word to the wise: if you're a banker, don't challenge a historian on questions of the nation-state.

[magnacz]

Watching this three years later when more Russians are in Belarus and on the Ukrainian border after having occupied Crimea and part of Ukraine 8 years ago without any consequences now saying we wouldn’t dream of marching in. Having to think chronically is very difficult when all you want to do is play games and shop.

[ryanevans]

Haha, when Mikhail is describing typical Russian psyops, and Timothy mutters "...its all true..."

[ebajjj]

We should found a New EU (NEU) without Poland and Hungary. Behind the NEU border fence they can celebrate their national independence.

[polonaises]

Liberal democratic values ... bla bla bla. Regime in Poland? You are nuts, people.