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CS7 - Russia and Its Near Abroad
You are listening to Curiosity Curated Shorts. I am Zong.
Today, we're asking a foundational question about the world’s largest country: When Russia looks at its neighbors—particularly in the South Caucasus and Central Asia—does it view them as fully independent nations, or as territories belonging to a historical sphere of influence?
The 2024 Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash offers a revealing case study. In December 2024, a passenger flight from Baku in Azerbaijan to Grozny in Chechnya was tragically shot down, killing 38 people. Evidence strongly suggests the plane was hit by a Russian air defense missile. Putin initially expressed regret but avoided responsibility, straining Russia-Azerbaijan relations. Only on October 9, 2025, did he officially acknowledge responsibility and offer compensation to President Aliyev.
This shift from deflection to apology reveals something important about Russia's relationship with its neighbors—one historically characterized by imperial-style influence—and how that relationship is evolving in the 21st century, shaped by competing geopolitical interests.
This dynamic is the focus of our deep dive, guided by the work of international security expert Jeffrey Mankoff. His core argument is that Russia's foreign policy stems from deep imperial legacies that continue shaping its interactions with neighboring states.
00:33 Episode Intro
02:23 Near Abroad Defined
05:12 The Imperial Conquest: A History of Acquisition
09:20 The Soviet Imperative: Colonial Control and Ethnic Fault Lines
13:56 The Post-Soviet Upheaval and the "Near Abroad"
15:03 Military Presence and "Frozen Conflict"
17:56 Economic Leverage & Institutional Integration
19:29 Institutional Integration: CIS, EAEU, and the Greater Eurasia Initiative
23:22 Enduring Challenges
24:50 Conclusion
Sources:
Empires of Eurasia by Jeffrey Mankoff
Music:
“I am Kazakh” performed by P. Tchaikovsky Music College of Almaty (Dombyra 100 | OYU Special)
“Who Am I” by Dario Lupo
For any feedback, please contact: [email protected]
View all episodes
By Zong WangYou are listening to Curiosity Curated Shorts. I am Zong.
Today, we're asking a foundational question about the world’s largest country: When Russia looks at its neighbors—particularly in the South Caucasus and Central Asia—does it view them as fully independent nations, or as territories belonging to a historical sphere of influence?
The 2024 Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash offers a revealing case study. In December 2024, a passenger flight from Baku in Azerbaijan to Grozny in Chechnya was tragically shot down, killing 38 people. Evidence strongly suggests the plane was hit by a Russian air defense missile. Putin initially expressed regret but avoided responsibility, straining Russia-Azerbaijan relations. Only on October 9, 2025, did he officially acknowledge responsibility and offer compensation to President Aliyev.
This shift from deflection to apology reveals something important about Russia's relationship with its neighbors—one historically characterized by imperial-style influence—and how that relationship is evolving in the 21st century, shaped by competing geopolitical interests.
This dynamic is the focus of our deep dive, guided by the work of international security expert Jeffrey Mankoff. His core argument is that Russia's foreign policy stems from deep imperial legacies that continue shaping its interactions with neighboring states.
00:33 Episode Intro
02:23 Near Abroad Defined
05:12 The Imperial Conquest: A History of Acquisition
09:20 The Soviet Imperative: Colonial Control and Ethnic Fault Lines
13:56 The Post-Soviet Upheaval and the "Near Abroad"
15:03 Military Presence and "Frozen Conflict"
17:56 Economic Leverage & Institutional Integration
19:29 Institutional Integration: CIS, EAEU, and the Greater Eurasia Initiative
23:22 Enduring Challenges
24:50 Conclusion
Sources:
Empires of Eurasia by Jeffrey Mankoff
Music:
“I am Kazakh” performed by P. Tchaikovsky Music College of Almaty (Dombyra 100 | OYU Special)
“Who Am I” by Dario Lupo
For any feedback, please contact: [email protected]