Book SummaryHow the West Brought War to Ukraine, by Benjamin Abelow

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of How the West Brought War to Ukraine

A series of provocations originating from Western countries towards Russia established the foundation.

The primary responsibility for the ongoing conflict in Ukraine is attributed to the United States and its partner nations. He posits that the sequence of actions taken by Western powers is perceived by Russia as a threat to its security. Abelow prompts readers to consider Putin's military actions as a segment of a broader historical sequence which ultimately led to the current conflict.

Despite previous assurances, the forces of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization have been consistently advanced towards Russia's frontiers by the United States and its European partners.

The writer posits that, contrary to their outward statements, Western countries have continuously encroached upon territories considered by Russia to be vital for its national security. Abelow attributes the ongoing conflict to a consistent pattern of territorial infringement.

In the 1990s, Western diplomats assured that the borders of NATO would stay fixed and not shift towards the east; yet, this stance was later disregarded as they proceeded with NATO's expansion.

Abelow highlights the broken promises that ensued after the Soviet Union's disintegration. He cites records released by the National Security Archive indicating that Western leaders assured Moscow they would not extend NATO's presence to the east, a move aimed at facilitating the swift reunification of Germany. Despite the promises made, they were not backed by official treaties and were eventually ignored as NATO expanded into regions that were once influenced by the Soviet Union. Abelow suggests that this disregard sowed seeds of distrust within the relationship between Western nations and Russia.

Russia perceived the potential inclusion of Ukraine and Georgia in NATO, which was advancing towards its frontiers, as a substantial menace to its national defense.

The author suggests that the ongoing conflict was substantially shaped by the prospect of Ukraine and Georgia joining the NATO alliance. Russia, given its historical experiences of being invaded from the West, is highly sensitive to any military activities in proximity to its borders. The inclusion of former Soviet states, particularly those bordering Russia, into NATO was perceived as a significant provocation, leading Russia to implement protective actions to ensure its national safety. He bolsters his case by citing a diplomatic memo from the year 2008, penned by William Burns, who was the U.S. ambassador to Russia back then...

How the West Brought War to Ukraine Summary The escalation of conflict leading up to the 2022 invasion.

Abelow underscores that the escalation leading to the 2022 invasion was not just a sequence of reactions to historical events; it also included a marked increase in military activities near Russia's borders, further inciting the country.

The condition has deteriorated as a result of continuous backing by the United States and its European allies, which includes supplying arms, offering training, and fostering cooperation to the Ukrainian military, even though NATO is not engaged directly.

The author underscores that although Western efforts to bolster Ukraine's defense were helpful, they also escalated the sense of danger perceived by Russia. He contends that such direct participation in conflict shows a clear indifference to the possible repercussions and Russia's security worries.

The U.S. and its allies have provided Ukraine with lethal weapons, conducted joint military exercises, and integrated Ukraine's military structures with those of NATO, despite Ukraine not being a formal member.

In the wake of Crimea's annexation in 2014, Abelow documents the incremental increase in military aid provided to Ukraine by the United States. He emphasizes the shift from...

How the West Brought War to Ukraine Summary Western nations frequently display a policy of double standards in their dealings with Russia.

Abelow contends that the United States and its Western partners have consistently displayed duplicity in their international diplomatic dealings, particularly regarding the deployment of their military units. He examines the double standards that have heightened suspicion and exacerbated tensions in the interactions with Russia.

The United States regards the stationing of foreign troops near its borders as a violation of an essential limit that corresponds to its security needs throughout the Western Hemisphere.

The writer emphasizes the 1823 policy known as the Monroe Doctrine as a prime example of the United States asserting its dominance over other countries in the Western Hemisphere. The fundamental tenet of this doctrine, he contends, is the adamant belief that foreign military units in proximity to its frontiers cannot be tolerated and warrant a robust reaction. This principle underscores the persistent approach of the United States to maintain its defense perimeters free from the presence of foreign armed forces.

The United States has always maintained that if other nations were to station military forces close to its frontiers, it would be seen as an act of...

How the West Brought War to Ukraine Summary The geopolitical fallout emerged as a result of the United States retracting its commitment to arms control accords.

Abelow examines the wider consequences stemming from the United States' retreat from essential arms control pacts, highlighting that the effects of such moves extend far beyond the immediate implications linked to the agreement itself.

The United States' decision to exit the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty has heightened concerns about a possible revival of the nuclear arms race between the United States and Russia.

The writer emphasizes the pivotal moment marked by the collapse of the 2019 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. He argues that the United States, using alleged violations by Russia as justification, essentially dismantled a key part of the infrastructure established to control nuclear armaments.

The United States' decision to withdraw from the agreement, coupled with allegations of Russian violations, has increased the likelihood of deteriorating diplomatic relations with Russia and intensified the potential for a heightened nuclear confrontation.

Abelow contends that this decision, rather than effectively addressing the alleged violations, has instead created a more volatile and unpredictable security environment. The author warns that...

How the West Brought War to Ukraine Summary The warnings ignored and the doubling down on failed policies

Abelow laments that despite clear warnings from many experts, the strategists responsible for the U.S. policy towards Russia and Ukraine continued to overlook the facts, choosing instead to escalate their dedication to the strategies that culminated in the present chaos. He emphasizes the overlooked chances for achieving a peaceful resolution through negotiation.

Despite cautions from esteemed experts in American international relations regarding the possibility of disastrous outcomes stemming from NATO's expansion, such advice went unheeded.

The author highlights the apprehension within certain segments of the US diplomatic corps regarding the significant consequences that could arise from the expansion of NATO. He emphasizes the decision by the United States to overlook these warnings, choosing a path of confrontation over one of reconciliation.

Experts had anticipated that NATO's enlargement might provoke an adverse response from Russia and increase the likelihood of conflict, but the warnings were ignored by decision-makers.

Abelow cites the mastermind behind the containment policy of the Soviet Union in the Cold War era, warning that expanding the North...

How the West Brought War to Ukraine Summary The importance of narrative in shaping outcomes and attributing responsibility

The final chapters of Abelow's work call for a comprehensive reevaluation of the dominant narrative surrounding the conflict, emphasizing the importance of understanding the historical context in which this turmoil unfolds. Abelow suggests that the primary responsibility for the current crisis lies significantly with the West.

Western discourse frequently portrays the Russian state and its leader, Vladimir Putin, as illogical entities fixated on territorial expansion, blaming them solely for the turmoil in Ukraine without taking into account the historical context and the security concerns of Russia.

Abelow scrutinizes the often oversimplified and misleading depiction of the conflict, which is typically embraced from a Western standpoint. He contends that describing Putin merely as an expansionist aggressor does not take into account the complex historical context and ignores the real security concerns that Russia has consistently voiced.

This narrative has enabled policymakers to justify aggressive actions against Russia, such as intensifying military assistance and enforcing economic sanctions, without considering the potential consequences.

He argues that such a...