I have a theory about Russophiles.
Back before 1991, the United States had a security interest in encouraging people to study Russian, to investigate Russian culture, and perhaps understand the Russian mind.
And in 1991, all this changed. Much of what made Russia interesting became-- well history. A PhD in Russian became about as useful as a PhD in German.
Putin’s ambitions (however distasteful), are the field’s last best hope for relevance.
