Putin's Wars: The Rise of Russia's New Imperialism

This book offers the first systematic analysis of Putins two wars, placing the Second Chechen War and the War with Georgia of 2008 in their broader historical contexts. Drawing on extensive original Russian sources, Marcel H. Van Herpen analyzes in detail how Putins wars were prepared and conducted and why they led to allegations of war crimes and genocide. He shows how the conflicts functioned to consolidate and legitimate Putins regime and explores how they were connected to a third, hidden, internal war waged by the Kremlin against the opposition. The author convincingly argues that the Kremlinrelying on the secret services, the Orthodox Church, the Kremlin youth Nashi, and the rehabilitated Cossacksis preparing for an imperial revival, most recently in the form of a Eurasian Union.

An essential book for understanding the dynamics of Putins regime, this study digs deep into the Kremlins secret long-term strategies. Readable and clearly argued, it makes a compelling case that Putins regime emulates an established Russian paradigm in which empire building and despotic rule are mutually reinforcing. As the first comprehensive exploration of the historical antecedents and political continuity of the Kremlins contemporary policies, Van Herpens work will make a valuable contribution to the literature on postSoviet Russia, and his arguments will stimulate vigorous debate.