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We Shall Outlast Them: Putin's Global Campaign to Defeat the West
The chilling and revelatory story of how Russia’s confrontation with the West went global.
Putin’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 produced a rupture with the United States and Europe not seen since the Cold War. As a result, Russia refocused its entire state machinery on one To outlast the West.
Russia foreign policy analyst Hanna Notte uncovers how Russia reinvented itself, outmaneuvering sanctions, forging surprising alliances, charming the Global South, and sowing fear in Western societies. Putin is the one pulling the strings, but he is not the only Propagandists, diplomats, businessmen, and rogue agents have done Russia’s bidding. From civilian shelters to military bases, presidential palaces to tense borderlands, Notte chronicles the untold stories of those waging Russia’s battles—and of everyday people swept up in Putin’s agenda. Blending analysis with reportage from more than a dozen countries, We Shall Outlast Them paints a sweeping picture of Putin’s wartime adaptation and illuminates how Russia has fostered enduring appeal around the globe.
"A masterclass in modern statecraft—Hanna Notte reveals the staggering reality of a Russia that has reoriented its entire national apparatus to sustain a global war machine. A necessary and deeply researched warning about a nation that will be defined by this confrontation for generations to come."—Jake Sullivan, Former White House National Security Adviser and Professor of Practice at Harvard Kennedy School
Putin’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 produced a rupture with the United States and Europe not seen since the Cold War. As a result, Russia refocused its entire state machinery on one To outlast the West.
Russia foreign policy analyst Hanna Notte uncovers how Russia reinvented itself, outmaneuvering sanctions, forging surprising alliances, charming the Global South, and sowing fear in Western societies. Putin is the one pulling the strings, but he is not the only Propagandists, diplomats, businessmen, and rogue agents have done Russia’s bidding. From civilian shelters to military bases, presidential palaces to tense borderlands, Notte chronicles the untold stories of those waging Russia’s battles—and of everyday people swept up in Putin’s agenda. Blending analysis with reportage from more than a dozen countries, We Shall Outlast Them paints a sweeping picture of Putin’s wartime adaptation and illuminates how Russia has fostered enduring appeal around the globe.
"A masterclass in modern statecraft—Hanna Notte reveals the staggering reality of a Russia that has reoriented its entire national apparatus to sustain a global war machine. A necessary and deeply researched warning about a nation that will be defined by this confrontation for generations to come."—Jake Sullivan, Former White House National Security Adviser and Professor of Practice at Harvard Kennedy School
Audible Audio
Published August 4, 2026
About the author
Hanna Notte
3 books7 followersHanna Notte is the director of the Eurasia Nonproliferation Program at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies and has written about Russian foreign policy in The New York Times, the Financial Times, and Foreign Affairs, among others. She lives in Berlin.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 25, 2026
We Shall Outlast Them sheds light on Russia's long-term initiatives to succeed militarily, economically and culturally without the West. Notte uses the Russian invasion of Ukraine as the inflection point that accelerated the ongoing grand project. The book features chapters on Russia's developing relationships with China, India, Brazil and South Africa (BRICS), The Central African Republic, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Syria and Iran and how these warm relations are meant to counterbalance the West and enable the war. The book's tight organization and efficient overviews highlight how Russia's proxy-projects, plus nuclear intimidation and cyber warfare, present multi-pronged challenges for the West while exposing Russia's limitations. Notte's work is a great summary of Russian foreign relations post-2022. Additional content on Arctic development and ensuing geopolitical frictions would have been welcome.
August 21, 2026
Putin's fate: lamp pole or bunker?
This is not only an excellent overview of the Ukraine/Russia conflict but it's likely the best book on geopolitics that I've come across this year. Notte has a knack for using a journalistic process to clearly explain what many political observers are missing; certainly some of her AfD countrymen in Germany who are failing to take adequate note the danger that modern Russia presents to the EU and the rest of civilized society. When Russia finally concedes inevitable defeat in this conflict many of the relations that Notte describes here will come under their own strain and buckle as she describes in places near and farther afield but reading this has provided insight on a taste of what that might look like. Excellent work.
This is not only an excellent overview of the Ukraine/Russia conflict but it's likely the best book on geopolitics that I've come across this year. Notte has a knack for using a journalistic process to clearly explain what many political observers are missing; certainly some of her AfD countrymen in Germany who are failing to take adequate note the danger that modern Russia presents to the EU and the rest of civilized society. When Russia finally concedes inevitable defeat in this conflict many of the relations that Notte describes here will come under their own strain and buckle as she describes in places near and farther afield but reading this has provided insight on a taste of what that might look like. Excellent work.
August 17, 2026
This book delivers a brilliant, razor-sharp analysis of Russia’s strategy against the West. Meticulously researched yet highly accessible. Essential reading for our times!
August 17, 2026
When I noticed this book on NetGalley, I thought “Oh no ! Not another book about the Ukraine War”. There have been numerous books, plus a seemingly endless array of experts constantly informing the public that without doubt, Russia is either losing or winning the Ukraine war. None of which is particularly helpful to the casual yet observant reader merely trying to understand the war and the context.
Thankfully this book does not address the war in terms of winning, losing or whatever the outcome may be. Instead and importantly it is about the wider world; Ukraine, Europe and many places far from the hostilities. To over-simplify, it is a book about Russian Foreign Policy, one that includes elements of conflict, diplomacy, trade and other areas of direct and indirect Russian influence. And the consequences of such a policy to other countries. The Ukraine conflict is but one example of how Russia is pursuing its long-term interests. This is a much needed book for anyone interested in Russia today. I enjoyed it and now consider myself much better informed in many areas.
In setting the scene, the author does not attempt to resolve what is driving Russia’s foreign policy, but she does offer the most common views. Perhaps an insecurity and vulnerability due to a long and porous border. Or the counter view of an Ideology and an impetus to control neighbours and to entrench autocracy at home.
Instead the author explores Russia’s growing estrangement from the West, something that has taken place over many years. A story of contingency and complexity. She examines Putin’s perspective of the West’s decline, particularly the United States but also Europe. This decline is most obvious in the diminished social cohesion and more liberal values in many countries. Also in questionable military actions or inactions including the response to Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014. This pejorative view is in contrast to Russia’s confidence, influence and projections of power in post-Soviet neighbouring countries and more distantly in the Middle East and Africa.
The author presents this as Russia’s pathway to a position of strength in a Post-Western Global Order. The full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 is seen by Russia as another round of a larger contest, or at the author describes, an accelerator of this struggle over global order. Thus:
“…confrontation with the West became the central organizing principle of the country's foreign policy. … wielding power abroad through economic, military, political, and propagandistic means…”
And consequently from the West’s perspective:
“…many expected the country to turn into an international pariah following its invasion of Ukraine. But in fact, the war marked the arrival of a newly outward-facing Russia…”
The reader will learn from this book how a combative Russian Statecraft has manifested in the world. About success, failures and consequences. The authors remit is wide-reaching in terms of people and geography, institutions and industries, militaries, civilians, diplomats and the media. A overarching and recurring theme throughout the book is stoykost. An old Russian virtue derived from the verb to stand; the ability to endure hardship, to take blows without giving in.
The author explains many of the historical issues that have contributed to how Russia has become the country it is today and thus provides an explanation for many of the attitudes expressed both within Russia and abroad.
Following an introduction, the book is laid out in six main areas defining Putin’s Russia. These broadly address Economics, Narratives, Areas of Influence, the International Order and conclude with Defeating the West.
The first part of the book sets the scene from an Economic perspective. It will be no surprise for anyone familiar with the global oil & gas industry, that sanctions have not had the desired effect on Russia or the war in Ukraine. Russia has found alternative customers in Asia and the Far East, who are happy to refine Russian oil and sell the products to willing customers, including many in Europe. The overall geopolitical effect has been a strengthening of Russia ties to Asia. Something similar has happened with trade in general. The author quotes the widely-read ‘Economist’ magazine:
“…over 80 percent of the world, if measured by population, and 40 percent, if measured by GDP, were not enforcing any sanctions on Russia whatsoever.”
And perhaps less widely reported:
“…those countries that did were struggling with adaptation…”
In language understandable to a non-expert, the author explains, for example, how Russia had managed international financial transactions using the SWIFT system and is continuing a trend of de-dollerisation started years before the invasion of Ukraine. This example of agility in the financial world has enabled countries such as China, North Korea and Iran to playing an expanding role in trade with Russia notably providing weapons and munitions.
Chillingly the author also observes that beyond the financial and economic world, there are also human consequences. Low cost workers from Asia and Africa are induced into travelling to Russia with the expectation of high-quality employment. Many ending up in labour intensive drone construction and other menial work.
The author sees this as not only stoykost but notes a dangerous phenomenon in the making as:
“…the alignment of four formidable adversaries, intent on overturning the Western-led liberal international order, in a Russian-led axis of upheaval.”
In forming her views, the author has travelled widely and talked directly to a wide range of sources, including politicians, business people, diplomats and military figures. Often powerful and influential people, with an agenda to pursue or self-interest to address. On a more prosaic level, she seeks out journalists, writers and ‘ordinary’ people caught up in events and consequences. This is a theme throughout the book as the author continues her journey, physically throughout post-Soviet countries and thematically via the topics addressed in the different parts of this book.
Readers may not have direct knowledge of many of the countries, peoples or issues covered, so may be obliged to take the authors presentation at face value, assuming the written perspectives are accurate and objective. Although the author adopts the tone and language of the Western liberal media, for the most part, she seems to present a balanced and objective viewpoint.
Subsequent to economic and financial issues, the book looks at Russia’s place in the world. Taken in totality the author provides a compelling picture of a country adapting, evolving, innovating and using various tools including history, diplomacy and anti-Western ideology to pursue its ends. A picture of a not-quite healthy Russia emerges but also a country that is far from the failing, struggling country often portrayed in the West. Stoykost is an ever-present, over-arching concept and possible the driving force that will ultimately define the outcome of the Ukraine war and Russias place in the world.
A historic narrative of colonialism, imperialism and capitalism are explored in Asia and Africa. This may be common knowledge to those who travel, work, study or engage in such places, but for those who don’t, the author lays out the dominant or at least political attitudes in many countries:
“Sympathy for Russia …was rooted in a complex range of emotions: deep gratitude for past Soviet support; negative attitudes toward a West seen as hypocritical and hyper-dominant; and a historical-cultural understanding of Russia and its neighbourhood that tended to be dismissive of Ukrainian agency and identity.”
In addition to manipulation of historical issues, the author explains how Russia also projected certain conservative values surrounding the family and sexuality. Such views found a welcome audience in certain parts of the non-Western world who see Russia through a lens where:
“…the Soviet Union was a friend…because the West is hypocritical, because woke ideas unsettle them, or because democracy no longer delivers…”
Providing balance, the author notes the hypocrisy inherent in much of the Russian narrative. For example historical Soviet racism, post-Soviet neglect of former ‘friends’ as the Union collapsed and a lack of foreign aid to the Global South today. The author observes honestly and frankly that:
“Russia and the West are held to different standards…”
The book explores Russia’s role in controlling the narrative , via for example propaganda and military actions. Russia Today, rebranded RT, is increasingly popular viewing in Latin America and the Middle East. Large high-profile Russian cultural institutions, play a role in messaging, as do numerous fringe media platforms in the West. Interviews conducted with many involved in peddling RT and other propaganda sources exposes hypocrisy and self-interest from a supposedly neutral media in various Asian, African and sometimes Western countries.
Military actions and consequences are explored in numerous conflicts, some close to Russia, others more distant in the Middle-East and Africa. Foreign trade plays a major role in sustaining Russia’s economy, with countries such as Azerbaijan providing a corridor for exports to the Middle East and India. Depending on their value to Russia, improved relationships have benefited some countries with others being ignored or marginalised despite historic close ties. To some extent, power vacuums have aided countries such are Turkey, now emboldened to take on a wider, more assertive role beyond their borders.
All these are highly complex and integrated issues that the author manages to simply and present with clarity and understanding. Quite an achievement !
Georgia is particularly interesting, perhaps with a somewhat similar situation to Ukraine, in regard to history, proximity and post-Soviet politics. Ultimately Georgia remained closer to Russia than Europe. Not surprisingly the Georgia and Ukraine situations have caused Kazakstan and other countries to reflect on their own history, relationship with Russia and the future.
The author explains the complexities of views within many post-Soviet countries, due to various factors, including ethnicity, age differences, rural-urban divides and so on. Although the author has limited space in a single book, she appears to capture many of the key issues in these countries. The book periodically captures major themes or conclusions.
“…the Kremlin's ideal future playbook for these countries…follows the same broad contours: entrench their economic dependencies, encourage them to mirror Russias domestic illiberalism, lean on them to join Russian-backed regional and international bodies, and possibly accept a Russian military presence within their territories.”
Farther afield the author explores Russia historic and more recent role in the Middle East. Some may note a certain lack of objectivity, as the author writes about the post October 7th Gaza conflict and describes Israels attempts to recover civilian hostages as:
“ …an inhumane military campaign”.
and claims:
“Western elites… tended to tell a story about the Gaza war that started with Hamas's heinous attack on October 7, de-emphasizing the decades of Israeli occupation that preceded it.”
Notwithstanding these aberrations, (notably Israels complete withdrawal from Gaza in 2005) the historical and more recent events in the region are an important part of Russia’s Pre and Post Soviet story, although the current Gaza conflict is at best a peripheral episode. Readers may deduce from this part of the book that media bias and propaganda is not absent in the West when it comes to certain topics.
The author explores many more topics, including the ‘International Order’ Global Institutions, the ‘Nuclear Order’ and the changing political landscape particularly in the United States and Europe.
I particularly enjoyed some of the authors concluding remarks. Wording that is forthright, unequivocal and refreshingly honest:
“…a world in which Atlanticism was put to the test; a world in which Europe struggled to show real leadership; and importantly…most countries around the globe chose neither this nor that camp, but decided how to position themselves based solely on their own interests…”
Also realistic and sobering:
“Russias almost obsessive anti-Westernism…will always be in vogue, it will always find enthusiastic disciples across the globe.”
As for the West:
“…in making itself repeatedly guilty of double standards and hypocrisy; and in failing to understand and address the sources of Russias enduring appeal around the globe, the West has been its own source…of fragmentation.”
And Russia:
“The war has…pushed the country from a tacit dictatorship into the direction of a full-blown one. Russia is succumbing to Chinas embrace. …Russia has become totally estranged from Europe.”
“Ukrainians and many other people across the vast Eurasian landmass will fear and distrust Russia for years, if not generations, to come. Putin may well outlast the West. But he has gambled Russia's future.”
In closing, this book is a comprehensive and sweeping analysis of Russia’s place in the world today. A book written from many perspectives, reflecting many sources. The views of politicians, military, financial, business and other institutional leaders. More relatable and at times moving are the stories from ordinary people caught up in conflict or the consequences. Those in Ukraine, nearby countries and also countries far from this conflict. The author has presented objective, balanced and nuanced assessments of the main issues and events.
This is a book that will provide a much better understanding of not only the Ukraine conflict but the position of Russia in the wider world. The future is always difficult to predict but a book such as this provides a context for understanding. For some it may induce a healthy skepticism to simple narratives and solutions sometimes prevalent in Western media.
I hope the book is read widely. Not only by those in the military, financial, educational and diplomatic world, but also the general public. People who can understand complexity and interrelated issues. People who prefer to form their own opinions amidst the overwhelming barrage of Western media speculation and expert commentary.
Thankfully this book does not address the war in terms of winning, losing or whatever the outcome may be. Instead and importantly it is about the wider world; Ukraine, Europe and many places far from the hostilities. To over-simplify, it is a book about Russian Foreign Policy, one that includes elements of conflict, diplomacy, trade and other areas of direct and indirect Russian influence. And the consequences of such a policy to other countries. The Ukraine conflict is but one example of how Russia is pursuing its long-term interests. This is a much needed book for anyone interested in Russia today. I enjoyed it and now consider myself much better informed in many areas.
In setting the scene, the author does not attempt to resolve what is driving Russia’s foreign policy, but she does offer the most common views. Perhaps an insecurity and vulnerability due to a long and porous border. Or the counter view of an Ideology and an impetus to control neighbours and to entrench autocracy at home.
Instead the author explores Russia’s growing estrangement from the West, something that has taken place over many years. A story of contingency and complexity. She examines Putin’s perspective of the West’s decline, particularly the United States but also Europe. This decline is most obvious in the diminished social cohesion and more liberal values in many countries. Also in questionable military actions or inactions including the response to Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014. This pejorative view is in contrast to Russia’s confidence, influence and projections of power in post-Soviet neighbouring countries and more distantly in the Middle East and Africa.
The author presents this as Russia’s pathway to a position of strength in a Post-Western Global Order. The full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 is seen by Russia as another round of a larger contest, or at the author describes, an accelerator of this struggle over global order. Thus:
“…confrontation with the West became the central organizing principle of the country's foreign policy. … wielding power abroad through economic, military, political, and propagandistic means…”
And consequently from the West’s perspective:
“…many expected the country to turn into an international pariah following its invasion of Ukraine. But in fact, the war marked the arrival of a newly outward-facing Russia…”
The reader will learn from this book how a combative Russian Statecraft has manifested in the world. About success, failures and consequences. The authors remit is wide-reaching in terms of people and geography, institutions and industries, militaries, civilians, diplomats and the media. A overarching and recurring theme throughout the book is stoykost. An old Russian virtue derived from the verb to stand; the ability to endure hardship, to take blows without giving in.
The author explains many of the historical issues that have contributed to how Russia has become the country it is today and thus provides an explanation for many of the attitudes expressed both within Russia and abroad.
Following an introduction, the book is laid out in six main areas defining Putin’s Russia. These broadly address Economics, Narratives, Areas of Influence, the International Order and conclude with Defeating the West.
The first part of the book sets the scene from an Economic perspective. It will be no surprise for anyone familiar with the global oil & gas industry, that sanctions have not had the desired effect on Russia or the war in Ukraine. Russia has found alternative customers in Asia and the Far East, who are happy to refine Russian oil and sell the products to willing customers, including many in Europe. The overall geopolitical effect has been a strengthening of Russia ties to Asia. Something similar has happened with trade in general. The author quotes the widely-read ‘Economist’ magazine:
“…over 80 percent of the world, if measured by population, and 40 percent, if measured by GDP, were not enforcing any sanctions on Russia whatsoever.”
And perhaps less widely reported:
“…those countries that did were struggling with adaptation…”
In language understandable to a non-expert, the author explains, for example, how Russia had managed international financial transactions using the SWIFT system and is continuing a trend of de-dollerisation started years before the invasion of Ukraine. This example of agility in the financial world has enabled countries such as China, North Korea and Iran to playing an expanding role in trade with Russia notably providing weapons and munitions.
Chillingly the author also observes that beyond the financial and economic world, there are also human consequences. Low cost workers from Asia and Africa are induced into travelling to Russia with the expectation of high-quality employment. Many ending up in labour intensive drone construction and other menial work.
The author sees this as not only stoykost but notes a dangerous phenomenon in the making as:
“…the alignment of four formidable adversaries, intent on overturning the Western-led liberal international order, in a Russian-led axis of upheaval.”
In forming her views, the author has travelled widely and talked directly to a wide range of sources, including politicians, business people, diplomats and military figures. Often powerful and influential people, with an agenda to pursue or self-interest to address. On a more prosaic level, she seeks out journalists, writers and ‘ordinary’ people caught up in events and consequences. This is a theme throughout the book as the author continues her journey, physically throughout post-Soviet countries and thematically via the topics addressed in the different parts of this book.
Readers may not have direct knowledge of many of the countries, peoples or issues covered, so may be obliged to take the authors presentation at face value, assuming the written perspectives are accurate and objective. Although the author adopts the tone and language of the Western liberal media, for the most part, she seems to present a balanced and objective viewpoint.
Subsequent to economic and financial issues, the book looks at Russia’s place in the world. Taken in totality the author provides a compelling picture of a country adapting, evolving, innovating and using various tools including history, diplomacy and anti-Western ideology to pursue its ends. A picture of a not-quite healthy Russia emerges but also a country that is far from the failing, struggling country often portrayed in the West. Stoykost is an ever-present, over-arching concept and possible the driving force that will ultimately define the outcome of the Ukraine war and Russias place in the world.
A historic narrative of colonialism, imperialism and capitalism are explored in Asia and Africa. This may be common knowledge to those who travel, work, study or engage in such places, but for those who don’t, the author lays out the dominant or at least political attitudes in many countries:
“Sympathy for Russia …was rooted in a complex range of emotions: deep gratitude for past Soviet support; negative attitudes toward a West seen as hypocritical and hyper-dominant; and a historical-cultural understanding of Russia and its neighbourhood that tended to be dismissive of Ukrainian agency and identity.”
In addition to manipulation of historical issues, the author explains how Russia also projected certain conservative values surrounding the family and sexuality. Such views found a welcome audience in certain parts of the non-Western world who see Russia through a lens where:
“…the Soviet Union was a friend…because the West is hypocritical, because woke ideas unsettle them, or because democracy no longer delivers…”
Providing balance, the author notes the hypocrisy inherent in much of the Russian narrative. For example historical Soviet racism, post-Soviet neglect of former ‘friends’ as the Union collapsed and a lack of foreign aid to the Global South today. The author observes honestly and frankly that:
“Russia and the West are held to different standards…”
The book explores Russia’s role in controlling the narrative , via for example propaganda and military actions. Russia Today, rebranded RT, is increasingly popular viewing in Latin America and the Middle East. Large high-profile Russian cultural institutions, play a role in messaging, as do numerous fringe media platforms in the West. Interviews conducted with many involved in peddling RT and other propaganda sources exposes hypocrisy and self-interest from a supposedly neutral media in various Asian, African and sometimes Western countries.
Military actions and consequences are explored in numerous conflicts, some close to Russia, others more distant in the Middle-East and Africa. Foreign trade plays a major role in sustaining Russia’s economy, with countries such as Azerbaijan providing a corridor for exports to the Middle East and India. Depending on their value to Russia, improved relationships have benefited some countries with others being ignored or marginalised despite historic close ties. To some extent, power vacuums have aided countries such are Turkey, now emboldened to take on a wider, more assertive role beyond their borders.
All these are highly complex and integrated issues that the author manages to simply and present with clarity and understanding. Quite an achievement !
Georgia is particularly interesting, perhaps with a somewhat similar situation to Ukraine, in regard to history, proximity and post-Soviet politics. Ultimately Georgia remained closer to Russia than Europe. Not surprisingly the Georgia and Ukraine situations have caused Kazakstan and other countries to reflect on their own history, relationship with Russia and the future.
The author explains the complexities of views within many post-Soviet countries, due to various factors, including ethnicity, age differences, rural-urban divides and so on. Although the author has limited space in a single book, she appears to capture many of the key issues in these countries. The book periodically captures major themes or conclusions.
“…the Kremlin's ideal future playbook for these countries…follows the same broad contours: entrench their economic dependencies, encourage them to mirror Russias domestic illiberalism, lean on them to join Russian-backed regional and international bodies, and possibly accept a Russian military presence within their territories.”
Farther afield the author explores Russia historic and more recent role in the Middle East. Some may note a certain lack of objectivity, as the author writes about the post October 7th Gaza conflict and describes Israels attempts to recover civilian hostages as:
“ …an inhumane military campaign”.
and claims:
“Western elites… tended to tell a story about the Gaza war that started with Hamas's heinous attack on October 7, de-emphasizing the decades of Israeli occupation that preceded it.”
Notwithstanding these aberrations, (notably Israels complete withdrawal from Gaza in 2005) the historical and more recent events in the region are an important part of Russia’s Pre and Post Soviet story, although the current Gaza conflict is at best a peripheral episode. Readers may deduce from this part of the book that media bias and propaganda is not absent in the West when it comes to certain topics.
The author explores many more topics, including the ‘International Order’ Global Institutions, the ‘Nuclear Order’ and the changing political landscape particularly in the United States and Europe.
I particularly enjoyed some of the authors concluding remarks. Wording that is forthright, unequivocal and refreshingly honest:
“…a world in which Atlanticism was put to the test; a world in which Europe struggled to show real leadership; and importantly…most countries around the globe chose neither this nor that camp, but decided how to position themselves based solely on their own interests…”
Also realistic and sobering:
“Russias almost obsessive anti-Westernism…will always be in vogue, it will always find enthusiastic disciples across the globe.”
As for the West:
“…in making itself repeatedly guilty of double standards and hypocrisy; and in failing to understand and address the sources of Russias enduring appeal around the globe, the West has been its own source…of fragmentation.”
And Russia:
“The war has…pushed the country from a tacit dictatorship into the direction of a full-blown one. Russia is succumbing to Chinas embrace. …Russia has become totally estranged from Europe.”
“Ukrainians and many other people across the vast Eurasian landmass will fear and distrust Russia for years, if not generations, to come. Putin may well outlast the West. But he has gambled Russia's future.”
In closing, this book is a comprehensive and sweeping analysis of Russia’s place in the world today. A book written from many perspectives, reflecting many sources. The views of politicians, military, financial, business and other institutional leaders. More relatable and at times moving are the stories from ordinary people caught up in conflict or the consequences. Those in Ukraine, nearby countries and also countries far from this conflict. The author has presented objective, balanced and nuanced assessments of the main issues and events.
This is a book that will provide a much better understanding of not only the Ukraine conflict but the position of Russia in the wider world. The future is always difficult to predict but a book such as this provides a context for understanding. For some it may induce a healthy skepticism to simple narratives and solutions sometimes prevalent in Western media.
I hope the book is read widely. Not only by those in the military, financial, educational and diplomatic world, but also the general public. People who can understand complexity and interrelated issues. People who prefer to form their own opinions amidst the overwhelming barrage of Western media speculation and expert commentary.
September 13, 2026
Highly compelling and comprehensive account of Russia's global strategy since February 2022. Also really well written, with nice storytelling that draws the reader in.
August 4, 2026
This book is a comprehensive guide to how Russia sees the west and the steps they are taking to cement their place in the world. I found this book fascinating and frustrating at the same time. Fascinating to examine the psyche of Russia and its leaders and the methodical steps they are taking across all domains of international relations (energy, information, military, alliances, etc) to seed discord.
I found the author’s framing of “Memory Diplomacy” fascinating as it applies both internally and externally.
After reading, I kept asking myself why we - the US / west / others - let this happen. The lack of a comprehensive strategy is so frustrating to see play out. Great book for readers trying to understand the current international environment and how the great power competition never went away — it just changed dimensions.
I found the author’s framing of “Memory Diplomacy” fascinating as it applies both internally and externally.
After reading, I kept asking myself why we - the US / west / others - let this happen. The lack of a comprehensive strategy is so frustrating to see play out. Great book for readers trying to understand the current international environment and how the great power competition never went away — it just changed dimensions.
September 23, 2026
Vladimir Putin and the Russian foreign policy establishment's goal is not to outlast the West only in Ukraine, but to create an alternate world order of 'anti-Western' countries, a world in which Russia can evade sanctions, throw around its influence, and disseminate its propaganda to receptive audiences. This is according to political scientist Hanna Notte, the author of 'We Shall Outlast Them: Putin's Global Campaign to Defeat the West.'
Is it working?
I interviewed the author:
https://history-as-it-happens.simplec...
Is it working?
I interviewed the author:
https://history-as-it-happens.simplec...
August 9, 2026
5⭐️
Comprehensive look into the current geopolitical relations between Russia and the West. So well written as well
Comprehensive look into the current geopolitical relations between Russia and the West. So well written as well
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Despite the desperate claims of some to deny Putin's ongoing assault on Western democracy and institutions, this volume documents Russian actions across multiple regions. The actions of the Russian state began before the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, but willfully or not, was ignored by most. After 2022 this luxury was no longer possible, though some continue to deny. The final chapter? It's the world of today, where inside the West, some leaders have joined the Russian effort to undermine Western democracy and institutions. A must read.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews