Russia’s New—and Frightening—“Ism” - Eurasianism

Hoover Digest ^ | 2001 | John B. Dunlop

[Tailgunner Joe]

Few books published in Russia during the post-communist period have exerted such an influence on Russian military, police, and foreign policy elites as Aleksandr Dugin’s 1997 neo-fascist treatise Osnovy geopolitiki: Geopoliticheskoe budushchee Rossii (Foundations of Geopolitics: The Geo-political Future of Russia). The impact of this intended “Eurasianist” textbook on key Russian elites testifies to the worrisome rise of fascist ideas and sentiments during the late Yeltsin and the Putin periods.

Five years before President George W. Bush announced his “axis of evil,” Dugin had introduced three key neo-Eurasian axes: Moscow-Berlin, Moscow-Tokyo, and Moscow-Tehran. The basic principle underlying these three axes was said to be “a common enemy,” by which he meant the United States.

The Moscow-Berlin Axis

According to Dugin, as a result of a grand alliance to be concluded between Russia and Germany, the two countries will divide up into spheres of influence all the territories lying between them, with no “sanitary cordon.” Dugin proposes that Germany be offered political dominance over most Protestant and Catholic states located within Central and Eastern Europe and that Kaliningrad be returned to Germany as part of this bargain. The “unstable” state of Finland, which “historically enters into the geopolitical space of Russia,” is seen as an exception. Poland, Latvia, and Lithuania are also to be allocated to the Russian-Eurasian sphere of dominance, as is “the north of the Balkan peninsula from Serbia to Bulgaria,” which is described as part of the “Russian South.”

At one point in his textbook, Dugin confides that all arrangements with “the Eurasian bloc of the continental West,” headed by Germany, will be merely temporary and provisional in nature. “The maximum task [for the future],” he underscores, “is the ‘Finlandization’ of all of Europe.”

As for the former Soviet Union republics situated within Europe, all—with the single exception of Estonia—are to be absorbed by Eurasia-Russia. Belarus, Dugin pronounces, “should be seen as part of Russia.” In a similar vein, Moldova is assigned to what Dugin terms the “Russian South.” On Ukraine, Dugin stipulates that, with the exception of its three westernmost regions—Volhynia, Galicia, and Transcarpathia—Ukraine, like Belarus, constitutes an integral part of Russia-Eurasia.

The Moscow-Tokyo Axis

The cornerstone of Dugin’s approach to the Far East lies in the creation of a Moscow-Tokyo axis. In Russia’s relations with Japan, he emphasizes that the principle of a common enemy “will prove decisive.” Dugin recommends that the Kuriles be restored to Japan, just as Kaliningrad should be returned to Germany.

Dugin sees the People’s Republic of China, like the United States, as an enormous danger to Russia-Eurasia. “China,” he warns, “is the most dangerous geopolitical neighbor of Russia to the south” and verges on being an American factotum. At several points in his book, Dugin expresses a fear that China might “undertake a desperate thrust into the north—into Kazakhstan and Eastern Siberia.”

Because of the threat that it represents to Russia’s perceived vital geopolitical interests, China must, to the maximum degree possible, Dugin asserts, be dismantled. “Tibet-Xinjiang-Mongolia-Manchuria,” he writes, “taken together comprise a security belt of Russia.” “Without Xinjiang and Tibet,” he concludes, “the geopolitical breakthrough of China into Kazakhstan and Siberia becomes impossible.” As “geopolitical compensation” for the loss of its northern regions, China should be offered development “in a southern direction—Indochina (except Vietnam), the Philippines, Indonesia, Australia.”

The Moscow-Tehran Axis

The most ambitious and complex part of Dugin’s program concerns the South, where the focal point is a Moscow-Tehran axis. “The idea of a continental Russia-Islamic alliance,” he writes, “lies at the foundation of anti-Atlanticist strategy. . . . This alliance is based on the traditional character of Russian and Islamic civilizations.” As the result of a broad Grand Alliance to be concluded with Iran, Russia-Eurasia will eventually enjoy realizing a centuries-old Russian dream of reaching the “warm seas” of the Indian Ocean. Russia is to enjoy “geopolitical access—in the first place, naval bases—on the Iranian shores.”

As the result of such an alliance, Dugin argues, Russia-Eurasia should be prepared to divide up the imperial spoils with “the Islamic Empire [of Iran] to the south.” Which part of the South should come under Russia? “What is the Russian South?” Dugin asks at one point in his book. He answers that it includes “the Caucasus [all of it],” “the eastern and northern shores of the Caspian,” “Central Asia [that is, all of the former Soviet republics],” plus Mongolia. Even these regions, he adds, should be seen “as zones of further geopolitical expansion to the south and not as ‘eternal borders of Russia.’” Turkey is seen as being almost as dangerous to Russia-Eurasia as are the United States and China. Turkish minorities must be provoked into rebellion, and there is a need, he stresses, to create “geopolitical shocks” within Turkey.

Dugin’s Foundations of Geopolitics represents a harsh and cynical repudiation of the architecture of international relations that was laboriously erected following the Second World War and the emergence of nuclear weapons. Dugin and his “system” want to return us, it seems, to the combustible interwar period and something akin to the rise of fascism in Europe, with the lurid imperial fantasies of Il Duce, the führer, and other demagogues. Could, one wonders, a reversion to a destructive past be the “dividend” that Russia and the West are to receive for having with enormous effort put an end to the Cold War?

[Brilliant]

I hate to disagree, but what we need to do is forge a partnership with Russia. Give them a reason to ally themselves with us instead of the Franco-German European empire. The Russians are not going to attack the US. We're past that.

[gipper81]

Aleksandr Dugin Eurasia party founder and chief ideologue of the Russian geopolitical school

[headsonpikes]

Halford Mackinder placemarker.

'Who controls the Heartland controls the World'.

[Fred22]

I would have to agree with Brilliant.

Russia would be an Excellent counter weight against China and the EU and unlike the EU they are moving toward capitalism. The people who wrote this are probable on the fringe kinda like the neo nazis, most countries have them.

[StoneColdGOP]

Interesting.

[Fred22]

Don't mean to bother you but your thoughts on this.

[Fred22]

Don't mean to bother you but your thoughts on this?

[datura]

Not so fast. They still are arming China to the teeth. The likelihood of a Sino-Russian military axis is very good. Here's a recent example that I haven't seen posted in here yet:

NORTHEAST ASIA REPORT

SPECIAL FROM EAST-ASIA-INTEL.COM

China, Russia change sides — now back N. Korea in nuke talks

Russia criticized the U.S. position at the six-party talks in Beijing for continuing to demand the complete dismantlement of all of North Korea's nuclear facilities.

Pyongyang's Deputy Foreign Minister Kim Gye Gwan (left) talks with Russian Ambassador at Large Alexander Alexeyev (right) before a banquet in Beijing during the recent talks on the N. Korean nuclear crisis.

---

Ambassador at Large Alexander Alexeyev, head of the Russian delegation to the third round of six-nation talks on North Korea, told reporters in Beijing: "No one has the right to ban peaceful nuclear programs. This goes against international law." He did note that some North Korean nuclear facilities must be controlled.

U.S. officials have said Russia has shifted sides in the six-party talks and is privately supporting North Korea against the United States. China, too, is said to be favoring the North Koreans. Japan is solidly backing the U.S. stance while South Korea is said to be neutral.

Meanwhile China is increasing its already strong military ties with Russia. Military relations were discussed during a visit to Beijing by Col. Gen. Yuri Baluyevsky, who took part in a round of Russian-Chinese talks on "strategic stability."

The discussions focused on military and military-technology cooperation, arms proliferation and anti-terrorism efforts.

The Russian visit will be followed by a visit to Moscow by Gen. Guo Boxiong, vice chairman of the Chinese Central Military Commission early this month.

---

[vrwc1]

Moscow-Tokyo

In Russia’s relations with Japan, he emphasizes that the principle of a common enemy “will prove decisive.”

Can someone please explain how the U.S. is Japan's "enemy"?

Moscow-Tehran

This alliance is based on the traditional character of Russian and Islamic civilizations.

Huh? The radical Islamics want to kill or convert everyone who's not Islamic...how is this supposed to make them buddies with Moscow?

Sorry, this article just doesn't make much sense...

[Tailgunner Joe]

This was written by a senior fellow at the Hoover Institute.

Personally I think that the idea that China would attack Russia is a fantastic one. It is an idea promoted here on FR by those who want China to scare us into Russia's arms.

The rest of the analysis is good but they need to add a section on the Moscow-Beijing Axis.

[Tailgunner Joe]

North Korea is a Russian satellite.

Russia says Moscow and Beijing could provide North Korea with security guarantees - 08-13-03

[Carry_Okie]

I never cease to be amazed at the stupidity of people who think that subjugating others is the key to prosperity.

[Tailgunner Joe]

I notice you did not cast doubt on the possibility of the Moscow-Berlin Axis.

I agree that a Russo-Japanese alliance seems unlikely, but to Russia it makes sense. Russians see Japan and Germany both as American conquests. A return of the Kurils could woo Japan into Russia's embrace and offer them the kind of independence from the U.S. that the Germans are achieving now.

As far as Iran goes, they have been supported by Russia for decades.

Iran sees Russia as a guarantor of their security.

Against U.S. wishes, Russia to send nuclear fuel to reactor in Iran - 2/14/04

[datura]

Actually, the relations between China and Russia could go either way. If China is going to continue its' expansion at the current level, which it must - or face civil unrest - then they need the raw materials that is available just north of their border with Russia. Russia has very few military personnel east of the Urals, and the bulk of Siberia is very sparsely populated. Many of the people living there are of Chinese origin, plus North Korean gulag workers.

It would be far cheaper for China to merely push north now, rather than purchase these materials on the open market. They doubt that we would come to Russia's aid. Watch for China's decision on whether to align with Russia or take Siberia to happen as soon as the bulk of currently ordered military hardware is delivered from Russia. If China feels at that point that they can make all of the current generation military hardware on their own without Russia, then Siberia will be the PLAs destination instead of Taiwan.

[Tailgunner Joe]

The radical Islamics want to kill or convert everyone who's not Islamic

They also want to kill other kinds of Islamic people who are not Islamic enough, or Islamic the wrong way. Iran is Shiite and would make a good ally against Russia's Sunni enemies.

[Tailgunner Joe]

Don't forget that Russia has the largest nuclear arsenal in the world.

I believe that the Chi-com's are schoolyard bullies who will pick on their weaker neighbors.

[vrwc1]

A return of the Kurils could woo Japan into Russia's embrace and offer them the kind of independence from the U.S. that the Germans are achieving now.

Independence from the U.S. at the expense of dependence on Russia? That doesn't make sense - Kurils or not.

As far as Iran goes, they have been supported by Russia for decades.

Russia uses Iran as a source of cash - that's what that relationship is about. As for Iran seeing Russia as a guarantor of their security - bah. Iran funds Islamic insurgents battling Russia in Chechnya while they buy nuclear capabilities. They're both just using each other, but there is no strategic relationship.

[datura]

Japan won't be falling for that Russian bag of trinkets and baubles. As for the "independence" that Germany is enjoying (?) right now, I think that Japan has had enough of that during their current recession. Germany, while becoming increasingly self-important to nearly delusional levels, is feeling an added economic pinch without the US military spending its' paychecks there.

France and Germany both are to the point that they beleive their own lies. The only place where their worldviews are remotely listened to is inside the UN. They jointly define "irrelevant".

[Tailgunner Joe]

Independence from the U.S. at the expense of dependence on Russia?

Does this make sense to Germany? It does to the 'cowboy'-hating socialists who run that country.

Koizumi's hold on power is tenuous. If there is a shift to the left in Japan, they are going to start hating America more than they fear Russia.

Of course this would be stupid for them to do, but it's not out of the question.