Episode 51: Why Does Russia Want to Roll Back Europe’s Political and Security Architecture?

On this episode of The Zeitgeist, AICGS President Jeff Rathke and AICGS Trustee Ambassador John Kornblum discuss the growing threat to European security and the post-Cold War security architecture resulting from Russia’s troop buildup on the Ukrainian border and Kremlin’s demand to turn back the European security clock to 1997. Ambassador Kornblum as a U.S. official worked on the Helsinki Final Act and held multiple crucial positions in America’s European policy, including as U.S. Ambassador to Germany (1997 – 2001) and U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs (1996-1997). Following the end of the Cold War, was the task for the United States and its allies to create a new relationship with Russia, or to manage the tensions and rivalries across Europe? Does the current crisis stem from flaws in the post-Cold War security architecture, designed by the United States and its allies and agreed to by Russia? Should Ukraine be forced to accept neutrality in order to create a new equilibrium in Europe? Is Germany committed to imposing significant cost in the event of a Russia military invasion in Ukraine? And is the United States still essential to European stability? Host Jeff Rathke, President, AICGS Guest John Kornblum, AICGS Trustee