Stephen Kinzer: How America Brought War to Ukraine
Summary
Stephen Kinzer discusses his new book, *Boiling Point*, arguing that the Ukraine war resulted from a 75-year U.S. project to use the country as a battering ram against Russia. He traces this history from post-WWII CIA operations involving former Nazis to the post-Cold War expansion of NATO, which he claims was driven by domestic political interests and arms industry profits rather than genuine security concerns.
Topics discussed
Introduction and context for the new book
Deconstructing the 'unprovoked invasion' narrative
Ukraine as a proxy war and missed diplomatic chances
The 75-year history of US intervention in Ukraine
US ties to Ukrainian nationalists and WWII history
CIA operations and the use of Nazi assets post-WWII
Balance of power logic and Operation Unthinkable
Historical roots of anti-Russian sentiment in the West
The influence of the Soviet emigre community on policy
How emigre views shaped US foreign policy and politics
The lost opportunity for a new European security architecture
Bill Clinton's decision to expand NATO eastward
US refusal to accept a non-dominant global role
Ukraine as collateral damage in US-Russia confrontation
Strategic power losses and the reality of NATO membership
US involvement in the 2014 Maidan uprising
Funding NGOs to shape Ukrainian public opinion
The overthrow of the neutralist Ukrainian government
The 'sovereign right to choose' security partners debate
Indivisible security and the US psychological barrier
The security dilemma and arms supply to Ukraine
The importance of historical knowledge in forming opinions
Closing remarks on media reception and solidarity
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