[jabagigo]

I think the question the article brings up is, why is Russia playing chess against Ukraine and other such countries?

Why isn't Russia instead building bridges, establishing stronger economic bonds, and addressing its own issues inside itself to help increase the quality of life of its people?

And they seem to answer it by saying that Putin and entourage love chess and are really good at it, that's why.

Thus the conclusion is that they are more focused on themselves then what's best for their people.

I don't know if that's true, but it's what I understood from the article.

[nathanaldensr]

You assume that nationalism is not viewed by the Russian people as "what's best" for them. Are you sure of your assumption? Not every country believes in the West's new spirit of authoritarian corporatism (some might call it fascism) and collectivist social tendencies.