Interview With Professor Yuriy Malikov, Part Two

This is the second and final part of an interview with esteemed Professor Yuriy Malikov. In this half, Dr. Malikov answers questions regarding the Cold War, U.S. relations with Russia, and 20th century dictators.

Did you think the Cold War was going to end when it did, or did it come as a surprise to you?

Did it really end? NATO, the most powerful mechanism of the Cold War, still exists. More than that, it significantly increased its membership. US military bases still encircle Russia . Do a simple Google search on American military bases and you will see that the Cold War continues. And when did you hear anything good about Russia in American mass media? America needs an enemy.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, US politicians tried to appoint China as America ’s arch enemy. Do you remember this hysterical reaction to the Chinese downing of the American spy plane in 2000? Fortunately for the Chinese, the American economy is too dependent on them to start a new crusade. The War on Terror cannot last long. On the other hand, Russia in this respect is not much different. It also needs to have an external enemy. Georgia and Ukraine are not more serious threats to Russia than Iran or North Korea are to the US . So, we will find each other again. “Enemies studies” positions in US colleges will again be filled with Russianists, rather than with specialists on the Middle East .

Where do you see Russian-U.S. Relations going in the next few years? Do you believe that our two nations can come together as true friends and allies, or will we still see each other as semi-rivals?

I think I have already answered this question. Unfortunately, Americans will “all be Georgians,” and Russians will “all be Venezuelans.” As a Russian proverb says: “Two bears will not fit in one lair.”

Adolf Hitler was a dictator that committed mass genocide, killed millions of innocent people, and started World War II. Joseph Stalin killed thousands of his own people and purged his government, military, and civilian population mercilessly. In your opinion, who was worse person of the two?

Many politicians kill people. How many people did George W. Bush get killed in Iraq and Afghanistan – both the natives of these countries and American soldiers? It sounds cynical, but killing in itself does not place leaders of a nation into the category of a tyrant.

What matters then to characterize a historical figure? Probably the results and the logic of his or her actions. Stalin, like Hitler, committed numerous atrocities. Without justifying these atrocities, in the case of Stalin, I can explain the logic of his actions and their aims. Military purges started after Stalin learned of the suppressed military coup in Japan . Rapid collectivization and industrialization in the Soviet Union could not be accomplished without human sacrifices. Cruel methods used against its own population during WWII made Soviet soldiers fear the enemy less than their own authorities. Stalin was cruel, but logical, and the ultimate purpose of his policies was achieved. The Soviet Union became one of the leading industrial countries, built a powerful army, and won WWII. I can always explain all Stalin’s actions (without approving them). Hitler, on the contrary, is beyond my understanding. I can explain gulags, but I cannot explain the Holocaust.

Thank you to Dr. Malikov for agreeing to the interview, it was fun to do it. You can also find the first half of the interview here.

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Interview With Professor Yuriy Malikov, Part One

We here at JiP are very proud to continue our interview series with Professor Yuriy Malikov. Dr. Malikov is ethnically Russian, was born and raised in Kazakhstan, and now teaches numerous History courses at the State University of New York College of Oneonta, SUNY Oneonta for short.


Highly esteemed in his field, Prof. Malikov speaks Russian and English, and has a basic understanding of Kazakh, German, and Hungarian. Here is Part One of a two part series:


If I am not mistaken, you were born and raised in Pavlodar, Kazakhstan . When you were young, was it even conceivable that in your lifetime that the Cold War would end, you would move to the United States, and that you'd a highly regarded college professor?

To be exact, I was born in the Soviet Union. Life in Kazakhstan was not very much different from the life in the other fourteen Union republics at that time. I do not think anybody in the 1980s could believe that the Soviet Union will collapse and that we would be able to choose a country of residence. I always dreamt of visiting other countries, but I would never believe it if somebody told me that I would be living in the USA .

What are the main differences between living in the United States and living in Kazakhstan?

This is a difficult question. I think there are more similarities than differences. At least, I do not experience any cultural shock when I go to visit my parents and friends in Kazakhstan . Thanks to globalization, people in Kazakhstan go to similar movie theaters as they do in America , where they watch the same Hollywood movies, eat in fast food restaurants, go to supermarkets, where they buy Coca Cola and Heineken, and work in their offices using the same computers. Everyday life looks pretty much the same as in the US , or in other Western countries.

As for the major difference, I think it is the attitude to laws. Most people in Kazakhstan do not respect them. As my friend in the Peace Corps said, traffic rules in Kazakhstan are recommendations, not laws. Almost in all spheres of life bribes and connections mean much more than laws or regulations. On the other hand, there are things, which are better in Kazakhstan than in the US - its foreign policy, for example, and its coverage in mass media. When I turn on the television in America, I get the impression that America is surrounded by enemies, and everybody either openly or secretly hates the Unites States. When I watch news in Kazakhstan, I see that Americans are our “strategic partners,” the Chinese are our “traditional friends,” and Russians are “brothers.” It would be great if Americans could watch news from Kazakhstan; it would force their own media to be less paranoid.

How difficult was it for you to learn English? How many languages do you speak?

English is not a difficult language to learn. It has rules, you learn them, and you speak. The Russian language has exceptions, not rules. Every noun makes its plural form in its own way, while every verb makes its past and perfect tense in the most unpredictable way. I am not good at languages. I speak Russian and English, and have some basic knowledge of Kazakh, German, and Hungarian.

Why did you want to become a professor?

History helps people to understand their society, to see where we are coming from and where we are going to. History allows people to challenge numerous stereotypes about different societies, which most take for granted. I like to challenge stereotypes and I also like to help others to challenge them. Being a professor of History is exactly the position that allows me to do this.

What are your feelings on the character Borat, portrayed by Sacha Baron Cohen?

I am quite neutral to Borat. Cohen used “ Kazakhstan ” to demonstrate to Americans their own country. He even tried to make Kazakhstan look as far from the reality as he could (being a Kazakhstani, I can easily see it). The belief of some people here that, after watching the movie, they have a better understanding of Kazakhstan upsets me. But again, it says more about some people here than about Kazakhstan.

Stay Tuned for Part Two.

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Hey everyone, just pointing out that we have a banner here at Jumping in Pools. It's the first time I've made one, but I believe it is a successful first. In this banner, you will see President Bush, Glenn Beck, Borat, the Mets Logo, that up-and-coming star Bryan Pisano, my favorite professor Dr. Yuriy Malikov, and Joe... lots and lots of Joe.

Well, enjoy!

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