Size Matters
Judging Россия (Rossiya, that’s Russia) is something anyone is free to do. But (= но, which sounds like no) most Russians will barely understand it and care even less. Moreover, there’s a good chance you’ll offend the Russians who do understand it, and make yourself look like a дурак (durak) or fool.
Largest in the whole world
First, try to understand the country, or at least attempt to. That’s where you start – but that’s quite the task. Of all the countries in the world (about 200), Россия (in terms of area) is by far the largest, and it is not easily comprehended. Just learning the language will keep you busy for quite a while, and even then, it won’t make you an expert.
‘Geography = Destiny’
Step by step, and first things first. Trying to understand the country might best begin by grasping its sheer size. And understanding the consequences of that size. Here are three clips on what it means to be the largest. Especially for those who speak English: no sweat, and yet a nice introduction. Watch all three in about half an hour and you’ll be a bit wiser—or at least less of a дурак than before.
Understanding the Russian Mindset
(2014, 14 m)
The Map That Shows Why Russia Feels Surrounded
(2016, 7 m, lecture by
Mike Malloney)
Russia’s Geography Problem
(2017, 12 m)
Update
More on size and geopolitics in:
- Real Reason Why Russia Wants To Expand (The Infographics Show, 2020, 10 m)
- How Russia Got So Big (KhAnubis, 2020, 8 m)
- How big is Russia Actually? (Start Thinking., 2020, 4 m)
Reading
- Former Ambassador: ‘Don’t Push the Russians Even Further’ (interview with Ron Keller, Trouw, 2020)
- How Russia’s size has become its problem (Russia Beyond, 2019)
- ‘It’s dangerous to think Putin is behind everything’ (interview with Mark Galeotti, NRC, 2019)
- Former Ambassador to Russia: ‘We don’t understand the Russians’ (DvhN, 2018); also available as Former Ambassador: Cold War? Complete Nonsense! (AD, 2018)
- Why doesn’t the West understand President Putin? (A.T. Vermeij, Speakers Academy 2018, pdf)
- ‘We don’t make enough effort to understand Russia’ (interview with Pieter Waterdrinker, Trouw, 2017)
last edited 18-12-2020
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