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Product Identifiers
PublisherYale University Press
ISBN-10030021913X
ISBN-139780300219135
eBay Product ID (ePID)16038276693
Product Key Features
Book TitleRival Power : Russia in Southeast Europe
Number of Pages320 Pages
LanguageEnglish
TopicRussia & the Former Soviet Union, Europe / Eastern, Modern / 21st Century, International Relations / General
Publication Year2017
IllustratorYes
GenrePolitical Science, History
AuthorDimitar Bechev
FormatHardcover
Dimensions
Item Height1.2 in
Item Weight19.2 Oz
Item Length8.7 in
Item Width5.8 in
Additional Product Features
Intended AudienceTrade
LCCN2017-019451
Reviews"A sophisticated and cool-headed corrective to the crude image of Russian foreign policy favored by much of the Western press."--Foreign Affairs "This work plows past other books about Putin and democracy . . . Captivating for serious students of Russian history and political junkies as well."-- Library Journal "Important . . . a balanced, well-documented picture of the competition between Russia and the West for influence in an area of considerable geopolitical importance."-- Choice, "For the new 'Great Game' of geopolitical competition, look above all to the Balkans, a region where the impact of Russian energy, soft power, and covert operations are all at their strongest, and which has too long been neglected by Western governments and scholars alike. This excellent book is the best primer yet to this unfolding struggle, a scholarly, sympathetic and realistic analysis of the present situation and likely future developments, which deserves to be read widely and carefully." -- Dr Mark Galeotti, head of the Centre for European Security at the Institute of International Relations Prague., 'The controversy around growing Russian activism in Southeast Europe reflects the impressive variety of relationships Moscow has cultivated in this region. This original, meticulous study charts the pattern of these relations since the early 1990s and soberly assesses Russian goals. This nuanced analysis should be read by all those seeking clarity on the shifting contours of geopolitics, trade and energy in Southeast Europe' -- Prof. Roy Allison, Director, Russian and Eurasian Studies Centre, Oxford., It would be good to say that this book is a valuable addition to the canon. It is not. When it comes to the issue of Russia, the Balkans and the wider region of south-eastern Europe it is the canon because no one else has written about it. Dimitar Bechev is the right author of the right book at the right time. His book covers an increasingly important topic. He is Bulgarian, speaks the relevant languages, has all the right credentials and has done everyone interested in both Russia and south-eastern Europe a huge service. Bechev has examined Russia's relations with the region both in terms of individual countries and by examining the key fields, such energy, soft power and the media. Until now it has been common in the west to use stereotypes and clichs to describe most of the relationships Russia has with the region. That means talking about "traditional", historical or religious links. In fact, as Bechev deflty shows, those relationships have always been far more complex than the clichs would have outsiders believe. Likewise Bechev argues that we always need to remember that Balkan politicians make decisions framed by their own interests, not by ideology, Slavic brotherhood, nostalgia or anything else. They are in fact champion tails who know exactly how to wag the Russian and western dogs, in a constant bid to play one off against the other and so extract maximum gain. In the last few years Russian activity in south-eastern Europe has tended to elicit alarm from Western policymakers who exaggerate its potential, a point demonstrated with several examples by Bechev. However as he points out, Russia and Vladimir Putin remain popular amongst people in the Orthodox parts of the region but local experts often know very little about Russia and are often motivated by anti-western grudges. Still, Bechev's book is a salutary warning. Russia is not such a great threat today to Western interests in this soft underbelly of Europe which stretches from the shores of the Adriatic to the Black Sea, yet at this time of declining confidence in western institutions and beliefs such as liberal democracy, those of us who believe in them would ignore what Russia is up to here at our peril. Bechev's book tells us exactly what they are doing, where and how to interpret all of this. , "A sophisticated and cool-headed corrective to the crude image of Russian foreign policy favored by much of the Western press."--Foreign Affairs "This work plows past other books about Putin and democracy . . . Captivating for serious students of Russian history and political junkies as well."-- Library Journal "Important . . . a balanced, well-documented picture of the competition between Russia and the West for influence in an area of considerable geopolitical importance."-- Choice "A well-researched, comprehensive, and even-handed study."--Boris Barkanov, Russian Review, "This timely and insightful analysis takes the Russian challenge to the stability of Southeast Europe seriously - and shows its limitations, despite the abundant opportunities created by local miscreants." -- Pavel Baev, Nonresident Senior Fellow, Brookings Institution and Research Professor, Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO), "A sophisticated and cool-headed corrective to the crude image of Russian foreign policy favored by much of the Western press."--Foreign Affairs "This work plows past other books about Putin and democracy . . . Captivating for serious students of Russian history and political junkies as well."-- Library Journal "Important . . . a balanced, well-documented picture of the competition between Russia and the West for influence in an area of considerable geopolitical importance."-- Choice "A well-researched, comprehensive, and even-handed study."--Boris Barkanov, Russian Review "It would be good to say that this book is a valuable addition to the canon. It is not. When it comes to the issue of Russia, the Balkans and the wider region of south-eastern Europe it is the canon because no one else has written about it. Dimitar Bechev is the right author of the right book at the right time."--Tim Judah, political analyst for the Economist, "At the time when it is fashionable to sound alarmist on Russia's return to the Balkans, Dimitar Bechev's "Rival Power: Russia's Influence in the Southeast Europe" provides a clear-eyed assessment of the opportunities and significant limits for Russia's power in the region. While providing the rich historical context for the ambiguous relationship, Bechev correctly notes the instrumental and highly transactional nature of Moscow's engagement with the Balkan states as a tool of diplomatic leverage with the West and a source of lucrative economic deals. The book may also serve as a cautionary note to those in Moscow who may harbor illusions that the path to securing geopolitical concessions from the West lies through reigniting instability and even ethnic conflict in the Balkans. It has never worked before." -- Vladimir Frolov, foreign affairs columnist, Republic.ru, "This is a commanding account of international politics in Southeast Europe. Dimitar Bechev's book is a must for anyone interested in Russia's tangled relations with the EU and NATO in the region and beyond." -- Elaine Papoulias, Executive Director, Center for European Studies, Harvard University , "It would be good to say that this book is a valuable addition to the canon. It is not. When it comes to the issue of Russia, the Balkans and the wider region of south-eastern Europe it is the canon because no one else has written about it. Dimitar Bechev is the right author of the right book at the right time." --Tim Judah, political analyst for the Economist, " Rival Power is a meticulously researched study of Russia's centuries-long effort to exert geopolitical influence over the south east of Europe...[The] ideological foundations of this campaign may have changed from century to century, but the goal has almost invariably remained the same: advancement of Russia's national interests." - Simon Saradzhyan, director of the Russia Matters project at Harvard University's Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, "Russia is back in the Balkans and ideology has little to do with it. In this engaging book, Dimitar Bechev argues that revival of Russia's influence in the region was made possible due to its pragmatism and tough-minded pursuit of material gains. Those viewing Russia as the new ideological warrior will be challenged in their beliefs" -- Andrew P. Tsygankov, Professor of International Relations, San Francisco State University., "A sophisticated and cool-headed corrective to the crude image of Russian foreign policy favored by much of the Western press."--Foreign Affairs "This work plows past other books about Putin and democracy . . . Captivating for serious students of Russian history and political junkies as well."-- Library Journal "Important . . . a balanced, well-documented picture of the competition between Russia and the West for influence in an area of considerable geopolitical importance."-- Choice "A well-researched, comprehensive, and even-handed study."--Boris Barkanov, Russian Review "Bechev is one of our most active public intellectuals. . . . [ Rival Power ] is thoughtfully and carefully organized, [and] the writing is fluid and effective."--Ronald H. Linden, Slavic Review "It would be good to say that this book is a valuable addition to the canon. It is not. When it comes to the issue of Russia, the Balkans and the wider region of south-eastern Europe it is the canon because no one else has written about it. Dimitar Bechev is the right author of the right book at the right time."--Tim Judah, political analyst for the Economist "For the new 'Great Game' of geopolitical competition, look above all to the Balkans, a region where the impact of Russian energy, soft power, and covert operations are all at their strongest, and which has too long been neglected by Western governments and scholars alike. This excellent book is the best primer yet to this unfolding struggle, a scholarly, sympathetic and realistic analysis of the present situation and likely future developments, which deserves to be read widely and carefully."--Dr Mark Galeotti, head of the Centre for European Security at the Institute of International Relations Prague. "At the time when it is fashionable to sound alarmist on Russia's return to the Balkans, Dimitar Bechev's Rival Power: Russia's Influence in the Southeast Europe provides a clear-eyed assessment of the opportunities and significant limits for Russia's power in the region. While providing the rich historical context for the ambiguous relationship, Bechev correctly notes the instrumental and highly transactional nature of Moscow's engagement with the Balkan states as a tool of diplomatic leverage with the West and a source of lucrative economic deals. The book may also serve as a cautionary note to those in Moscow who may harbor illusions that the path to securing geopolitical concessions from the West lies through reigniting instability and even ethnic conflict in the Balkans. It has never worked before."--Vladimir Frolov, foreign affairs columnist, Republic "This timely and insightful analysis takes the Russian challenge to the stability of Southeast Europe seriously - and shows its limitations, despite the abundant opportunities created by local miscreants."--Pavel Baev, Nonresident Senior Fellow, Brookings Institution and Research Professor, Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) "Russia is back in the Balkans and ideology has little to do with it. In this engaging book, Dimitar Bechev argues that revival of Russia's influence in the region was made possible due to its pragmatism and tough-minded pursuit of material gains. Those viewing Russia as the new ideological warrior will be challenged in their beliefs"--Andrew P. Tsygankov, Professor of International Relations, San Francisco State University., "Russia is back in the Balkans and ideology has little to do with it. In this engaging book, Dimitar Bechev argues that revival of Russia's influence in the region was made possible due to its pragmatism and tough-minded pursuit of material gains. Those viewing Russia as the new ideological warrior will be challenged in their beliefs" -- Andrew P. Tsygankov, Professor of International Relations, San Francisco State University., "This is a commanding account of international politics in Southeast Europe. Dimitar Bechev's book is a must for anyone interested in Russia's tangled relations with the EU and NATO in the region and beyond." -- Elaine Papoulias, Executive Director, Center for European Studies, Harvard University, "This work plows past other books about Putin and democracy . . . Captivating for serious students of Russian history and political junkies as well."-- Library Journal "Important . . . a balanced, well-documented picture of the competition between Russia and the West for influence in an area of considerable geopolitical importance."-- Choice, " Rival Power is a very timely and comprehensive book, written by one of the most accomplish observers of the international relations of the Russian Federation since its inception. It is written in concise and clear language, masterfully relaying the gradual reemergence of Russia as a new (old) challenge to the West in the Balkans and the Black Sea. A must read for those who wish to make sense of the recent developments in international politics." -- Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydin, Kadir Has University , It would be good to say that this book is a valuable addition to the canon. It is not. When it comes to the issue of Russia, the Balkans and the wider region of south-eastern Europe it is the canon because no one else has written about it. Dimitar Bechev is the right author of the right book at the right time. --Tim Judah, political analyst for the Economist, "Dimitar Bechev's book possesses the rare quality of being a work of seasoned and insightful scholar, but also of someone who appreciates the exciting twists and turns of Russia's dramatic relationship with the Balkans. Rival Power is very well written and dispenses with several persistent myths, especially one that views countries of the region and their leaders as 'victims' of Moscow's preying...a thrilling and stark expose of Russia's masterful use of a limited political arsenal to further its goals. " -- Konstantin Eggert, Commentator and Host, TV Rain (Moscow), "The controversy around growing Russian activism in Southeast Europe reflects the impressive variety of relationships Moscow has cultivated in this region. This original, meticulous study charts the pattern of these relations since the early 1990s and soberly assesses Russian goals. It reveals how local leaders rather than just succumbing to Russian pressures have often reached out to Moscow to create room for manoeuvre in their policies with other Western states and institutions. This nuanced analysis should be read by all those seeking clarity on the shifting contours of geopolitics, trade and energy in Southeast Europe" -- Prof. Roy Allison, Director, Russian and Eurasian Studies Centre, Oxford. , " Rival Power is a very timely and comprehensive book, written by one of the most accomplish observers of the international relations of the Russian Federation since its inception. It is written in concise and clear language, masterfully relaying the gradual reemergence of Russia as a new (old) challenge to the West in the Balkans and the Black Sea. A must read for those who wish to make sense of the recent developments in international politics." -- Prof. Dr. Mustafa Aydin, Kadir Has University, "Once written off as a fading actor in a region ever more integrated with the EU, Russia is now playing an increasingly disruptive role in South East Europe. Drawing on his innate understanding of the area, and an unmatched knowledge of the region's languages, Dimitar Bechev looks beyond the stereotypical explanations for this Russian resurgence and investigates the hard political calculations at play. This is a truly excellent, and highly readable, account of how Moscow is trying to extend its influence across the Balkans, Greece, Cyprus and Turkey." -- James Ker-Lindsay, Senior Visiting Fellow, London School of Economics and Political Science , "This work plows past other books about Putin and democracy . . . Captivating for serious students of Russian history and political junkies as well."-- Library Journal, " Rival Power is a meticulously researched study of Russia's centuries-long effort to exert geopolitical influence over the south east of Europe...[The] ideological foundations of this campaign may have changed from century to century, but the goal has almost invariably remained the same: advancement of Russia's national interests." - Simon Saradzhyan, director of the Russia Matters project at Harvard University's Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, 'The controversy around growing Russian activism in Southeast Europe reflects the impressive variety of relationships Moscow has cultivated in this region. This original, meticulous study charts the pattern of these relations since the early 1990s and soberly assesses Russian goals. This nuanced analysis should be read by all those seeking clarity on the shifting contours of geopolitics, trade and energy in Southeast Europe' -- Prof. Roy Allison, Director, Russian and Eurasian Studies Centre, Oxford., "It would be good to say that this book is a valuable addition to the canon. It is not. When it comes to the issue of Russia, the Balkans and the wider region of south-eastern Europe it is the canon because no one else has written about it. Dimitar Bechev is the right author of the right book at the right time." --Tim Judah, political analyst for the Economist, "At the time when it is fashionable to sound alarmist on Russia's return to the Balkans, Dimitar Bechev's "Rival Power: Russia's Influence in the Southeast Europe" provides a clear-eyed assessment of the opportunities and significant limits for Russia's power in the region. While providing the rich historical context for the ambiguous relationship, Bechev correctly notes the instrumental and highly transactional nature of Moscow's engagement with the Balkan states as a tool of diplomatic leverage with the West and a source of lucrative economic deals. The book may also serve as a cautionary note to those in Moscow who may harbor illusions that the path to securing geopolitical concessions from the West lies through reigniting instability and even ethnic conflict in the Balkans. It has never worked before." -- Vladimir Frolov, foreign affairs columnist, Republic.ru, "Dimitar Bechev's book possesses the rare quality of being a work of seasoned and insightful scholar, but also of someone who appreciates the exciting twists and turns of Russia's dramatic relationship with the Balkans. Rival Power is very well written and dispenses with several persistent myths, especially one that views countries of the region and their leaders as 'victims' of Moscow's preying...a thrilling and stark expose of Russia's masterful use of a limited political arsenal to further its goals. " -- Konstantin Eggert, Commentator and Host, TV Rain (Moscow) , "For the new 'Great Game' of geopolitical competition, look above all to the Balkans, a region where the impact of Russian energy, soft power, and covert operations are all at their strongest, and which has too long been neglected by Western governments and scholars alike. This excellent book is the best primer yet to this unfolding struggle, a scholarly, sympathetic and realistic analysis of the present situation and likely future developments, which deserves to be read widely and carefully." -- Dr Mark Galeotti, head of the Centre for European Security at the Institute of International Relations Prague. , "A sophisticated and cool-headed corrective to the crude image of Russian foreign policy favored by much of the Western press."--Foreign Affairs "This work plows past other books about Putin and democracy . . . Captivating for serious students of Russian history and political junkies as well."-- Library Journal "Important . . . a balanced, well-documented picture of the competition between Russia and the West for influence in an area of considerable geopolitical importance."-- Choice "A well-researched, comprehensive, and even-handed study."--Boris Barkanov, Russian Review "Bechev is one of our most active public intellectuals. . . . [ Rival Power ] is thoughtfully and carefully organized, [and] the writing is fluid and effective."--Ronald H. Linden, Slavic Review "It would be good to say that this book is a valuable addition to the canon. It is not. When it comes to the issue of Russia, the Balkans and the wider region of south-eastern Europe it is the canon because no one else has written about it. Dimitar Bechev is the right author of the right book at the right time."--Tim Judah, political analyst for the Economist, "Once written off as a fading actor in a region ever more integrated with the EU, Russia is now playing an increasingly disruptive role in South East Europe. Drawing on his innate understanding of the area, and an unmatched knowledge of the region's languages, Dimitar Bechev looks beyond the stereotypical explanations for this Russian resurgence and investigates the hard political calculations at play. This is a truly excellent, and highly readable, account of how Moscow is trying to extend its influence across the Balkans, Greece, Cyprus and Turkey." -- James Ker-Lindsay, Senior Visiting Fellow, London School of Economics and Political Science
SynopsisA nuanced and comprehensive study of the political dynamics between Russia and key countries in Southeast Europe, A nuanced and comprehensive study of the political dynamics between Russia and key countries in Southeast Europe Is Russia threatening to disrupt more than two decades' of E.U. and U.S. efforts to promote stability in post-communist Southeast Europe? Politicians and commentators in the West say, "yes." With rising global anxiety over Russia's political policies and objectives, Dimitar Bechev provides the only in-depth look at this volatile region. Deftly unpacking the nature and extent of Russian influence in the Balkans, Greece, and Turkey, Bechev argues that both sides are driven by pragmatism and opportunism rather than historical loyalties. Russia is seeking to assert its role in Europe's security architecture, establish alternative routes for its gas exports--including the contested Southern Gas Corridor--and score points against the West. Yet, leaders in these areas are allowing Russia to reinsert itself to serve their own goals. This urgently needed guide analyzes the responses of regional NATO members, particularly regarding the annexation of Crimea and the Putin-Erdogan rift over Syria.
LC Classification NumberDR38.3
