In 1939, Winston Churchill described Russia as a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma, distilling what an uncomprehending West feels as the otherness of an eccentric power. Many Westerners have but a shallow understanding of Russia. They project onto it characteristics that are not necessarily consistent with reality, or they see only part of the picture, adopting unexamined, stereotypical views. As a result, we often assess Russia on the basis of Western standards, over- or underestimating it and failing to fully understand the trends and dynamics that supervene within the country...
In 1939, Winston Churchill described Russia as a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma, distilling what an uncomprehending West feels as the ...