Introduction

This book navigates the challenges of deciphering Russia’s complex behaviour, emphasising the difficulties arising from scarce and unreliable information. Born out of frustrations with polarised debates, it advocates a novel approach, applying the classical method of dialectic debate, known as ‘argue-to-learn.’ Examining Russia’s enigmatic nature, it tackles emerging strategic issues by fostering collaborative knowledge creation. The book addresses five themes—The Kremlin, The People, The Economy, The Military and The (Dis-)Information Machine. It encourages scholars and policymakers to navigate ongoing uncertainties in these areas through dialectic analysis.