Topic: Stephen Fife

Professor John Mearsheimer of the University of Chicago argues that the West, specifically the U.S. and NATO, is responsible for the Ukraine crisis by pushing expansion into Russia's orbit. During a PBS Newshour segment, Mearsheimer proposed turning Ukraine into a neutral buffer state and taking NATO membership off the table. The hosts analyze the pushback Mearsheimer received from former Ambassador Stephen Fife and host Gwen Ifill.

Former Ambassador Stephen Fife argues that Russia's actions in Ukraine violate the 19th-century concept of spheres of influence and the 1975 Helsinki Final Act. The hosts critique this internationalist perspective, suggesting that Russia's security concerns are being ignored by proponents of a "New World Order." They discuss the upcoming diplomatic meetings in Moscow and Helsinki regarding border viability.