NATO is desperately delusional on Russia, and getting more so on China, argue political economists Radhika Desai & Michael Hudson. With Glenn Diesen, they discuss Ukraine, Europe, Jens Stoltenberg.
The most critical skill missing in today’s Western leadership is the ability to think in paradoxes. Thinking in paradoxes is about holding two seemingly contradictory ideas together and recognizing that both can coexist to achieve a broader, more nuanced understanding or outcome. It's an invaluable skill, especially in complex situations where rigid thinking can lead to conflict or ineffective solutions.
In this episode, you have provided ample evidence of the missing skill in Western leadership:
For instance, NATO Expansion and Deterrence: Stoltenberg's belief that weapons bring peace, specifically in the statement, *"Weapons are the way to peace,"* embodies a paradox where military strength is believed to prevent conflict. The inability to reconcile that increasing militarization may provoke rather than deter adversaries highlights a failure to grasp the complexity of deterrence and diplomacy simultaneously, particularly in regard to Russia.
And Economic Sanctions and Energy Policy: The Western stance on economic sanctions against Russia, particularly on energy, creates a paradox that Western leaders fail to resolve. On the one hand, Europe cuts off Russian gas to sanction Russia, yet on the other, it purchases it through intermediaries, resulting in higher costs for Europe. It shows a failure to integrate the economic and geopolitical consequences into a cohesive policy, reflecting an inability to think in paradoxes when it comes to managing both security and economic well-being.
The good news is that paradoxical thinking can be learned if one is open to the idea of solving complex problems.
Always among the best conversations on the internet!
The most critical skill missing in today’s Western leadership is the ability to think in paradoxes. Thinking in paradoxes is about holding two seemingly contradictory ideas together and recognizing that both can coexist to achieve a broader, more nuanced understanding or outcome. It's an invaluable skill, especially in complex situations where rigid thinking can lead to conflict or ineffective solutions.
In this episode, you have provided ample evidence of the missing skill in Western leadership:
For instance, NATO Expansion and Deterrence: Stoltenberg's belief that weapons bring peace, specifically in the statement, *"Weapons are the way to peace,"* embodies a paradox where military strength is believed to prevent conflict. The inability to reconcile that increasing militarization may provoke rather than deter adversaries highlights a failure to grasp the complexity of deterrence and diplomacy simultaneously, particularly in regard to Russia.
And Economic Sanctions and Energy Policy: The Western stance on economic sanctions against Russia, particularly on energy, creates a paradox that Western leaders fail to resolve. On the one hand, Europe cuts off Russian gas to sanction Russia, yet on the other, it purchases it through intermediaries, resulting in higher costs for Europe. It shows a failure to integrate the economic and geopolitical consequences into a cohesive policy, reflecting an inability to think in paradoxes when it comes to managing both security and economic well-being.
The good news is that paradoxical thinking can be learned if one is open to the idea of solving complex problems.