RUSSIAN IRREDENTISM: BALTIC STATES NEXT? MENACE-MYTH-MANTRA
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Authors
Pietrowsky, Ronald
Subjects
Russia
irredentism
Crimea
Baltic States
history
legitimacy
myth
narrative
irredentism
Crimea
Baltic States
history
legitimacy
myth
narrative
Advisors
Abenheim, Donald
Tsypkin, Mikhail
Date of Issue
2020-06
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
The gulf between the West and Russia has widened again since the annexation of Crimea, leading to worries that Moscow will use Crimea as a blueprint for the Baltics. This thesis argues that Russia does not, in fact, view both regions equally. When scholars report Vladimir Putin uses tools of the past for today, they prove how Russia’s democratization failed. But the discourse on Russia’s strategy abroad underrates how this path affects Moscow’s foreign policy. This thesis explains how Moscow projects its domestic mindset beyond Russia. The analysis compares Crimea and the Baltics by unpacking historical claims through the prism of Russian identity and its myths in relation to legitimacy. It explains that Russian myths reinforce the identity’s credibility based on values. Therein, the drive to secure legitimacy and regain lost grandeur dominate the mindset connecting Moscow’s national and global politics. The Baltic states are outside the Russian World and a screen for revanchist projection—a competition zone inside NATO. By contrast, Crimea is a unique symbol for Russianness. The West should recognize that Russia competes in terms of values. Consequently, the West’s premise should be to regain the strategic initiative by hindering the Kremlin from dictating the time, place, and topic for the competition.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
National Security Affairs (NSA)
Organization
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NPS Report Number
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Distribution Statement
Approved for public release. distribution is unlimited
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