Scott Horton: Provoked
Part Of The Problem
Deep Dive
Why did Scott Horton write the book 'Provoked'?
Scott Horton wrote 'Provoked' to provide a comprehensive history of post-Soviet Union actions leading up to the Ukraine-Russia conflict, filling in gaps and offering a context that he believes is missing from mainstream narratives.
What is the significance of the 'Nyet means Nyet' memo in the context of Ukraine-Russia relations?
The 'Nyet means Nyet' memo, authored by then-U.S. Ambassador to Russia William Burns, warned the U.S. against offering NATO membership to Ukraine and Georgia, predicting it would provoke Russia. This memo highlights the U.S. intelligence community's awareness of the potential for conflict.
How does Scott Horton view the role of Russiagate in the lead-up to the Ukraine war?
Horton believes that Russiagate, the conspiracy theory alleging Trump-Russia collusion, played a significant role in shaping the perception of Russia as an implacable enemy, influencing the mindset of American Democrats and contributing to the escalation of tensions that led to the Ukraine war.
What does Scott Horton argue about the U.S. foreign policy establishment's intentions towards Russia?
Horton argues that the U.S. foreign policy establishment, particularly under Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, pursued policies that were recklessly provocative towards Russia, often for reasons of legacy building rather than national interest.
How does Scott Horton justify the length and detail of his book 'Provoked'?
Horton justifies the extensive detail in 'Provoked' by arguing that every piece of information is crucial to understanding the full narrative of the Ukraine-Russia conflict, and leaving any part out would diminish the comprehensiveness of the story.
What is Scott Horton's view on the intelligence agencies' framing of Donald Trump during Russiagate?
Horton views the intelligence agencies' framing of Trump during Russiagate as a gross overreach and a clear example of the deep state's power to manipulate narratives, which he believes was a significant factor in the ongoing tensions with Russia.
Why does Scott Horton believe that the U.S. should reconsider its policy towards Ukraine?
Horton believes the U.S. should reconsider its policy towards Ukraine because the current approach, which includes arming Ukraine, is seen by Russia as a direct threat and is cumulatively provocative, potentially leading to further escalation and conflict.
What does Scott Horton identify as the key mistake in Donald Trump's handling of Russiagate?
Horton identifies Trump's failure to coherently and effectively counter the Russiagate narrative as a key mistake, arguing that Trump missed opportunities to clearly articulate the truth and undermine the false accusations against him.
How does Scott Horton view the potential for nuclear war in the context of U.S.-Russia relations?
Horton views the potential for nuclear war as a serious concern, especially given the historical and current provocations by the U.S. towards Russia, which he believes could lead to a catastrophic miscalculation by either side.
What does Scott Horton argue about the legitimacy of the U.S. intelligence agencies?
Horton argues that the U.S. intelligence agencies, particularly the CIA and FBI, lack constitutional legitimacy and have often acted beyond their mandate, including in their handling of Russiagate and their actions against the elected president.
- Scott Horton considers himself more of an information guy than a gifted writer.
- He emphasizes the importance of telling the whole story without leaving out key facts.
- The book is about half a million words long, reflecting the depth of research and information included.
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