ArticlesMarch 2, 20221 min read

Putin’s calculus

Sam Webb

One could easily make an argument that the expansion of NATO provided Putin with a cover to pursue his own geopolitical agenda of reestablishing a 21st century Russian empire, extending far beyond its present borders and shorn of any democratic features. It’s no secret that he never recognized the sovereign rights of Ukraine and coveted its inclusion into a greater Russia.

Up until recently though, an invasion of Ukraine wasn’t opportune from Putin’s vantage point. It would have appeared as naked aggression to the world and likely garnered little support from even states friendly to Russia. But the ill considered and dangerous march of NATO to Ukraine’s borders changed that calculus in Putin’s mind. It allowed him, he thought, to present Russia as an aggrieved party and reluctant aggressor against Ukraine, while pointing the finger at the oligarchies in U.S. and Western Europe and NATO as the real culprit. But his calculus is proving to be wrong. The world is repelled by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Written by

Sam Webb

I'm a long-time socialist and activist, but new to the blogging world. I hope to bring a different perspective on politics, sports, culture, and Marxism. Besides blogging, I also leave plenty of time for swimming, hiking, ESPN, music, reading, drinking good beer, and, not least, my family and friends. I wish I could play basketball, but my knees ruled out that possibility long ago. While I currently reside in New York, my politically formative years were spent in Portland, Me. and Detroit during the 1970s and 1980s. I graduated from St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia (where I played basketball) and received a MA in economics from the University of Connecticut. I was the national chairperson of the Communist Party, USA from 2000 until 2014 when I stepped down at the convention. In 2016 I resigned from the Communist Party two years later. We were no longer on the same page.

Putin’s calculus

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