Russia and MAGA: Unlikely allies in ideological alignment
Russia and the American far right are ideologically converging. Followers of the MAGA movement are increasingly leaning towards the anti-liberal ideas from Moscow, notes "The Economist".
What do you need to know?
- Russia and the MAGA movement: An ideological convergence between Russia and the American far right is occurring, notes the weekly "The Economist".
- Visit to Moscow: Journalist Glenn Greenwald, associated with the MAGA movement, visited Moscow to meet with Kremlin ideologue Alexander Dugin.
- Views on Ukraine: MAGA supporters believe that Ukraine should be more conciliatory towards Russia, which aligns with Dugin’s views.
Russia and the MAGA movement. What are the causes of the convergence?
According to "The Economist", the ideological convergence of Russia and the MAGA movement stems from the growing fascination of the American far right with anti-liberal ideas from Moscow.
"The Economist" notes that Russophilia, once the domain of the left, is now shifting to the right associated with MAGA.
Journalist Glenn Greenwald, representing this faction, visited Moscow to meet with Alexander Dugin. Last year, Tucker Carlson, a well-known supporter of the MAGA movement and former Fox News columnist, not only interviewed Putin but also visited Dugin and recorded an impromptu conversation where the Kremlin ideologue railed against Western liberal democracy, recalls "The Economist".
What connects MAGA supporters with the Russian right?
MAGA supporters and the Russian right find common ground on geopolitical and ideological issues. "The Economist" emphasises that both sides share a disdain for Western liberal democracy and similar views on Ukraine.
This rapprochement pertains not only to ideology and geopolitics but, above all, to views on Ukraine. MAGA supporters believe that Ukraine should be more conciliatory towards Russia, which is consistent with propagandistic theses propagated by the Kremlin for years.
MAGA supporters believe that Ukraine not only does not deserve American aid but also that Kyiv should be more conciliatory towards "its regional superpower", writes "The Economist".
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Just as America has the right—in the opinion of Trump supporters—to dictate terms to Canada or Panama, because these countries are within its sphere of influence, so too does Russia have the right to Ukraine, the weekly further explains.
What are the consequences of this convergence?
The ideological convergence between Russia and the MAGA movement may have far-reaching consequences.
"The Economist" warns that Democrats' concerns about Russia's influence on Trump may overshadow more serious manifestations of convergence between America and Russia. This convergence is already evident and may influence future international relations.
The durability of this convergence remains an open question. "The Economist" notes that shared anti-liberal values may form the basis for lasting cooperation between Russia and the MAGA movement.
