“You may not be interested in war, but war is interested in you”. This quote by Leon Trotsky is how Dr. Stephen Blank, Russian Historian and Senior Fellow with the American Foreign Policy Council, opened his discussion on Russia. Dr. Blank followed this by asserting that Russia is at war with the United States and the West, although many Americans might be oblivious to this fact. Although there are no “boots on the ground”, the information war has been ongoing for years at the instruction of the Russian government. By means of cyberwarfare and active measures – which include corruption of banks and political structures, disruption through media propaganda, and inciting chaos – the Russian government is actively seeking to create instability in the international system without engaging in kinetic warfare.

Further explaining the actions of Russia, Dr. Blank claimed that there is no difference between organized crime and the Russian government, essentially amounting the country to a mafia state. This bold statement succeeded in conveying the severity of the active measures and information war, as evidence has mounted of Russia influencing the 2016 election, playing a part in Brexit, and helping North Korea evade sanctions. Taking the accusations a step further, Dr. Blank declared Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism through their exporting to Hamas and Hezbollah, collaboration with the Taliban, and inciting violence in Ukraine and the Balkans.

But why does Russia operate like this? Dr. Blank stated that Russia does not accept the end of the Cold War because they lost their status as “equals” with the United States. Furthermore, Blank said it was critical to learn to think how Moscow thinks and how they view what is happening in the world, in order to beat them at their “war”. Vladimir Putin does not think he is losing against the United States, and until he feels that way, Dr. Blank says that dialogue will be almost impossible. Circling back to the idea of international affairs conducted through non-military actions, Blank states that the United States is failing in countering Russia effectively. Dr. Blank urged the United States and its allies to enforce more strictly the global rule of law, in order to make Russia feel pushback against their transgressions.

Closing his speech with a call to action for the community members and students in the room, Dr. Blank advised them to expand their understanding of the world and its political actors. While presenting an assessment of the relationship between the United States and Russia, along with the realistic portrait of how their government views itself and operates on an international scale, Dr. Stephen Blank left no attendee doubting his knowledge and expertise in the many complexities of Russia. His closing remark tactfully summed up his presentation by saying that “because Russia is at war with us, and therefore is interested in you…, you must be interested in war”.

Summarized by Lindsey Golden, Queens University of Charlotte (WACC intern – spring 2018)