RUSSIA: “A RIDDLE WRAPPED IN A MYSTERY INSIDE AN ENIGMA”


Winston Churchill’s oft cited quote is actually something of a misquote. This is in so far as it omits Churchill’s conclusion: Russia “is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma; but perhaps there is a key. That key is Russian national interest.”


This has also been termed Russia’s ‘sphere of  leads to the stereotypical conclusion that Russia is a ‘rogue nation’, and other similar clichés. But perhaps one should heed the counsel of a famous Russian proverb “Don‘t go to another monastery with your   a mysterious riddle if only seen through the lens of our own cultural values and perspectives, i.e. our ‘cultural baggage’ (see: http://ijebcm.brookes.ac.uk/ documents/vol05issue2-paper-04.pdf).


This article make no pretence of being a comprehensive assessment of Russia risks, but is rather to focus on the antecedents for the sharp deterioration in relations with the West, as well  current situation to other post-Soviet era economic crises, and to the Cold War era. It should not be misunderstood as any form of apology for Russia’s stance or actions. As has oft been observed, partisanship, and even worse political tribalism are antithetical to any analytical process.


6 | ADMISI - The Ghost In The Machine | March/April 2018


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