Can Trump End the Ukraine War? w/ Scott Horton
David Gornoski
Deep Dive
Why does Scott Horton argue that the Ukraine War was provoked by the U.S.?
Scott Horton argues that the U.S. provoked the Ukraine War through actions like NATO expansion up to Russia's borders, missile defense systems, and color-coded revolutions against Russia-friendly neighboring countries. These actions created a strategic imbalance and forced Russia into a position where it felt compelled to act.
What role did NATO expansion play in escalating tensions with Russia?
NATO expansion, particularly the inclusion of Baltic states and the push to integrate Ukraine into NATO, left Russia feeling encircled and threatened. This expansion stranded Russia's Kaliningrad naval base behind NATO lines, creating a major flashpoint for potential conflict.
How does Scott Horton describe the U.S. foreign policy approach after the Cold War?
Scott Horton describes U.S. foreign policy after the Cold War as a shift from containment to neo-containment, where the U.S. sought to maintain global dominance. This approach included expanding NATO, deploying missile defense systems, and supporting revolutions in Russia-friendly countries, which ultimately provoked Russia.
What is the human cost of the Ukraine War according to Scott Horton?
Scott Horton estimates that the human cost of the Ukraine War is likely in the low hundreds of thousands on both sides, with conservative estimates suggesting high tens of thousands of deaths. He emphasizes that the war has been devastating for both Ukraine and Russia.
Why does Scott Horton believe the U.S. is unlikely to bring Ukraine into NATO?
Scott Horton believes Ukraine is too corrupt and unstable to meet NATO's democratic norms and economic standards. He cites Biden's own admission that Ukraine's political and economic systems are insanely corrupt, making NATO membership unworkable.
What is Scott Horton's view on Trump's potential to end the Ukraine War?
Scott Horton is hopeful that Trump could end the Ukraine War, as Trump has expressed a desire for a ceasefire and has been in talks with the Biden and Zelensky governments. However, Horton is uncertain about Trump's ability to navigate the complexities of the conflict given Russia's strong position on the ground.
How does Scott Horton describe the U.S. role in the 2014 Ukrainian coup?
Scott Horton describes the U.S. role in the 2014 Ukrainian coup as significant, with the U.S. supporting NGOs and protest movements that ultimately forced the president to agree to early elections. The coup was further escalated by threats from protest leaders, including the threat to kill the president if he didn't leave.
What does Scott Horton think about the Biden administration's approach to the Ukraine War?
Scott Horton criticizes the Biden administration for its self-righteous and confrontational approach, likening it to facing down a bully. He argues that Biden's refusal to negotiate in good faith and his focus on strategic defeat of Russia have prolonged the conflict.
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