Thread by @DoorstepPodcast

This is a critical #doorstep operation--with implications for the U.S. & other countries as well. The #doorstep bargain in Russia was for citizens to passively acquiesce to the government's policies in return for largely being left alone and guaranteed a middle class lifestyle.1/

https://twitter.com/Nat_Vasilyeva/status/1572493000814764032

Putin is upending that bargain. Russians already dealing with sanctions pressure now face (if they are reservists) the prospect of going to Ukraine. Does this lead to more cracks in popular passivity? 2/

Now to the U.S. implications. For years, the U.S. bargain was to find ways to minimize the #doorstep impact from interventions around the world. Use of drones, the volunteer force, etc. When foreign policy starts to affect domestic issues, though ... 3/

we saw it reflected in domestic politics. "America First" or "a foreign policy for the middle class" were different ways of responding to that dynamic. 4/

Back to Russia. There has been public support for the "special operation" in Ukraine--but is that support strong or soft? Even partial mobilization raises the #doorstep stakes--which may change the tenor of that support. 5/