A Different Russia: Cold War Parallels and Modern Geopolitics
February 5, 2025 | Marvin Kalb with Warren Olney: Russia’s Continuing Anguish: Russia from Khruschev to Putin
In a recent America at a Crossroads discussion, veteran journalist and foreign affairs expert Marvin Kalb shared his insights into the evolving dynamics of Russia, U.S.-Russia relations, and the striking historical parallels between past and present geopolitical tensions. With decades of experience covering international affairs as a CBS and NBC News correspondent, Kalb draws from his firsthand experience as the Moscow bureau chief in the early 1960s to offer a nuanced perspective on how Russia’s leadership under Nikita Khrushchev compares to that of Vladimir Putin today.
Russia Then and Now: The Evolution of Leadership
During the discussion, Kalb reflected on his interactions with Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, recounting a telling anecdote from a July 4th event at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow in 1956. Khrushchev, known for his boisterous personality, humorously nicknamed Kalb “Peter the Great” due to his height—a moment that would mark the beginning of a fascinating relationship between the two. Unlike the current Russian leader, Khrushchev was open to engaging with Western journalists and eager to learn from Western advancements. He invited American scholars, politicians, and journalists to Moscow, seeking to modernize the Soviet Union through exposure to Western innovation.
By contrast, Kalb points out that Vladimir Putin has taken a drastically different approach. Instead of fostering connections with the West, Putin has distanced himself, shutting down diplomatic avenues and tightening control over information and media. The shift from Khrushchev’s openness—however constrained—to Putin’s isolationism is indicative of a broader transformation in Russian leadership, one that prioritizes authoritarian consolidation over international collaboration.
The Cuban Missile Crisis and What It Tells Us About Today
One of the most compelling discussions in the interview was Kalb’s analysis of the Cuban Missile Crisis and how it might have played out differently under Putin. In 1962, Khrushchev initiated the crisis by secretly placing nuclear missiles in Cuba, just 90 miles from the U.S. mainland. When the U.S. discovered the deployment, tensions escalated to the brink of nuclear war. However, what set Khrushchev apart, according to Kalb, was his willingness to back down in the face of potential catastrophe. He publicly admitted his mistake and withdrew the missiles, ultimately prioritizing global stability over personal pride.
Kalb poses a chilling question: if Putin had been in Khrushchev’s position in 1962, would he have made the same decision? Given Putin’s refusal to acknowledge missteps, his penchant for aggressive posturing, and his reliance on a tightly controlled narrative, Kalb suggests that the outcome could have been much more dangerous. This comparison underscores how today’s geopolitical landscape, while reminiscent of the Cold War, carries new risks due to the nature of modern leadership and global interconnectedness.
The Trump-Putin Dynamic and Its Implications
The discussion also touched on how U.S.-Russia relations have evolved under different American administrations. Kalb noted that while Khrushchev saw John F. Kennedy as a leader he could negotiate with—even if their relationship was fraught with tension—Putin’s approach to Donald Trump was markedly different. According to Kalb, Putin’s experience as a KGB operative and his deep understanding of psychological warfare allowed him to position himself advantageously in interactions with Trump. This dynamic, Kalb argues, was fundamentally different from the strategic but adversarial relationship that defined the Kennedy-Khrushchev era.
Conclusion: A Different Russia, But the Same Power Struggles
Kalb’s reflections highlight a sobering reality: while Russia has changed in many ways since the Cold War, its fundamental struggles between authoritarian control and engagement with the West persist. Unlike Khrushchev, who sought to modernize and engage with global powers, Putin has chosen a path of confrontation and isolation, raising concerns about the future of U.S.-Russia relations.
As the world grapples with ongoing geopolitical tensions, Kalb’s insights serve as a reminder that history offers invaluable lessons—ones that leaders today would do well to heed.
About America at a Crossroads
Since April 2020, America at a Crossroads has produced weekly virtual programs on topics related to the preservation of our democracy, voting rights, freedom of the press, and a wide array of civil rights, including abortion rights, free speech, and free press. America at a Crossroads is a project of Jews United for Democracy & Justice.