Eric Weinstein

But communism was entirely foreign to this place.

Sure, I understand.

What I'm trying to say is,

I believe that we had opportunities that may no longer be present for a greater union after this battle was over.

When there was uncertainty, if instead of trying an isolated democracy with American

economists meddling in the post-Cold War reconstruction, whatever.

If we tried something different, I think there was an opportunity.

I don't know.

There was a period of denazification after World War II.

What did I say?

What was important to defeat was communism.

This is what...

we did with germany is that we made a point about defeating nazism and we allowed the german people the ability which was not entirely true to say oh yes those nazis were terrible that wasn't us yes yes but

I do think it was kind of insulting.

I don't know.

Look, I think in part I'm in awe.

And I'm in awe of Russia in its brutality, its backwardness, its horror.

I'm in awe of its accomplishments, its achievements, its high culture.

I think about Russia a lot.

Most of my American friends do not.