“Crimean fantasies: A webcast.”
Nobody’s reasoning why, per usual.
“Foolish,” “provocative,” “reckless,” “hubristic”: Most of these terms are James Carden’s as we discussed, in this weekend exchange, the H.M.S. Defender’s purposeful intrusion into Russian waters off Crimea last week. And those terms not James’s are mine.
There is a narrow way to look at this incident: What in hell was a British warship doing so close to waters we know Russia claims? And there is a broader context to consider: What kind of relations do the Western powers—or more precisely “the English-speaking peoples”—want with Russia?
James and I took up these questions and several others in this 40–minute recording, he from Washington, I from Norfolk. My own conclusion to the above-posed question: America does not want a settled relationship with the Russians—and Biden may not be serious even about his “strategic stability.” Corollary: This position will divide the West.
Drawing on his extensive background in Russian affairs and U.S.–Russian ties, James brought much nuance to our exchange.
— P.L.
Norfolk, Conn.
