Thread by @CasMudde

I finally read the whole book by @A_SHEKH0VTS0V on the relationship between Russia and the Western far right. It is essential reading for academics, journos, and think tankers working/writing on the topic.

Some quick thoughts. 🧵

routledge.com/Russia-and-the…

1. For me personally, it was more insightful on Russia's position on the far right than the far right's position on Russia. This is not just because I know the far right better, but because Anton's analysis of the Kremlin and Russian politics is excellent.

2. He highlights how Russia prefers mainstream political actors ("Putin Versteher") but is kind of forced to rely increasingly on "radical" actors because of Russia's increasingly toxic image in the West.

3. What was the most novel, for my point of view, was how he shows that Russian political entrepreneurs use their connections with the western far right to wins favors from the Kremlin. 🚨

4. On the far right, he notes how marginal most of the groups are that engage with Russian far-rightists and entrepreneurs.

5. He also shows how instrumentalist the relationship is, not just for the Russians, but also for most western far-rightists, particularly the more relevant ones, focusing on Austria, France, and Italy.

6. Overall the book is very nuanced in its arguments. Sober and scholarly. Only the conclusion is a bit (too) speculative, but that is quite common.

Excellent book! Well done @A_SHEKH0VTS0V 👏

#TheEnd