On television, Dugin even called for Russia to follow its own path, one neither like Europe and the United States nor like Asia, but to establish a new center of power and civilization that encompassed the characteristics of both!
Wang Ye could only shake his head as he watched.
It was not that he disagreed with Dugin's views. Given Russia's historical legacy and territorial size, it was indeed qualified to become one of the so-called "poles."
But the timing was wrong!
Russia in 2004 was still at its weakest point after the collapse of the Former Soviet Union.
The people were not quite reduced to misery, but it was not far off.
Externally, it still owed a mountain of unpaid debts. Calling it beset by troubles both within and without would not be an exaggeration.
At the same time, certain countries were watching Russia warily, afraid that it would return to the Former Soviet Union!
At a time like this, proposing that it become a new pole was practically asking for trouble...
Sure enough, Dugin's interview caused a huge stir. It made waves not only within Russia, but even more so in Europe and the United States.
Media outlets such as the New York Times, BBC, and CNN immediately ran special reports, claiming that Dugin's remarks represented certain "dangerous" ideas in Russia.
Even some mainstream Russian media outlets joined in criticizing Dugin's remarks.
To address the questions raised by foreign media, the Kremlin spokesperson had no choice but to issue a statement, saying that those remarks represented only Dugin's personal views. The Kremlin did not agree with them and certainly would not use Dugin's theories as a reference for national policy.
Whether Dugin's interview would have any lasting repercussions aside, the Monarchist Russian Faction had become famous overnight, drawing the