Glenn Diesen – Russia’s Pivot to the East: From Greater Europe to Greater Eurasia

by Glenn Diesen [10-30-2025].

(RAD: Professor Diesen does an excellent job of reviewing the important historical & geopolitical changes that have evolved over the past few centuries that now explain the importance of Russia, China, Iran, India, and others working together in greater Eurasia. He helps us understand why we are seeing the evolving power structures in Eurasia today. — RAD)

After the collapse of the ancient Silk Road, the European maritime powers began connecting the world in the early 16th century. After 500 years of a Western-centric world, Russia, China and other Eurasian powers are connecting Eurasia in terms of independent technology, industry, energy, physical transportation corridors, banks and currencies. Russia's decision to abandon the Greater Europe project in 2014 in favour of the Greater Initiative ended 300 years of a Western-centric approach to development and modernisation.