Can Russia's relations with the Western world be structured in cycles? 

20th-century Russian philologist Vadim Tsymbursky thought so when he came up with what would be known as Tsymburskian cycles—a set of five moves ranging from alliance to confrontation and resistance against the West. 

However, Tsymburksy did not take into account the domestic politics factor in his original theorization of the cycles—a gap that Gordon Hahn fills in his essay for Russia In Global Affairs titled "Neo-Tsymburskian Cycles in the History of Russian-Western Relations." 

Gordon Hahn is an expert analyst at Corr Analytics ,a New-York-based political risk advisory firm.  Hahn is a notable scholar of politics, international relations, and Islamist terrorism in Russia and Eurasia. He is the author of The Russian Dilemma: Security, Vigilance, and Relations with the West from Ivan III to Putin, and Ukraine Over the Edge: Russia, the West, and the “New Cold War.” Hahn’s most recent book is 'Russian Tselostnost’: Wholeness in Russian Culture, Thought, History, and Politics.

Gordon has previously taught at Boston University, American University, and Stanford University. He also served as a visiting fellow at the Kennan Institute in Washington, DC, and the Hoover Institution.


In this episode of Strategic Wisdom with Andrew Jose, I sat down with Hahn to discuss his neo-Tsymburksian cycles and how they can explain Russia's current predicament in Ukraine and the future of Russia's relations with the occident.

During our conversation, we discussed ontological security, the origins of Western and Russian discontent with relations between each other, and how the West can have more stable respect-based ties with Moscow.

Listen to the episode on your favorite podcast streaming platform: bit.ly/strategicwisdom.

This is Strategic Wisdom with Andrew Jose. I’m Andrew Jose, a Washington, DC-based security policy analyst and news reporter, bringing you timely analyses and commentary on issues in international relations, war, and security policy.

The views expressed by the podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily represent the official positions of Andrew Jose, Strategic Wisdom with Andrew Jose, and Andrew Jose Media.

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