Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde? - A qualitative analysis of Russian strategic decision making
Journal: Lund University Publications Student Papers (Lund University)
Year: 2019

The first decades of the 21st century have not been lined with the optimism that surged after the fall of the Soviet Union. Instead of pursuing a path of liberalization, Russia has relapsed to authoritarian rule and its view of the west not as an ally, but as an adversary. The war in Georgia, annexation of Crimea and the invasion of eastern Ukraine shows that Russia is once again willing to use military force to pursue its own objectives. There are contradictions though, as Russia parallel to it