ABSTRACT

The West is at an inflection point in its relations with Russia; the stakes for having an accurate understanding of its president, Vladimir Putin, have never been higher. A misreading of this man – now one of the most consequential international political figures and challengers to the US-led world order since the end of the Cold War – could have catastrophic consequences. Russia’s 8,000 nuclear weapons (and the vehicles to deliver them to any point on the globe) underscore the huge risks of not understanding who Putin is, what he wants, how he thinks, and why. Where do his ideas and conceptions come from? How does Putin look at the outside world? Why did he annex Crimea in 2014 and intervene in Syria in 2015? What does he know about the West? What does he think about the United States? These are all critical questions.

摘要

西方与俄罗斯的关系处于拐点。准确了解其总统弗拉基米尔·普京（Vladimir Putin）的利益从来没有像现在这样高。对这个人的误读可能会带来灾难性的后果。这个人现在是自冷战结束以来最重要的国际政治人物和挑战者，是美国领导的世界秩序的挑战者。俄罗斯的8,000枚核武器（以及将其运送到全球任何地方的工具）突显了巨大的风险，即他们不了解普京是谁，他想要什么，他的想法和原因。他的想法和构想从何而来？普京如何看待外界？他为什么在2014年吞并克里米亚并在2015年干预叙利亚？他对西方了解多少？他如何看待美国？这些都是关键问题。