Putin's biggest weapon is the threat of his own country's collapse

A weak Russia is more dangerous to the West than a strong Russia

Which would you rather confront: A strong Russia or a weak Russia?

For many in the West, the answer seems obvious. Vladimir Putin's regime opposes our interests, and his nation is a corrupt and sprawling military powerhouse. The weaker the better, right?

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James Poulos

James Poulos is a contributing editor at National Affairs and the author of The Art of Being Free, out January 17 from St. Martin's Press. He has written on freedom and the politics of the future for publications ranging from The Federalist to Foreign Policy and from Good to Vice. He fronts the band Night Years in Los Angeles, where he lives with his son.