An expert explains why the Russia-Ukraine crisis is bigger than Putin

Is Russia really looking to invade Ukraine? And how messy could it get if the West tries to stop it? [View in browser]( [Image]( January 26, 2022 THE LATEST [Alternate text] [What Russia really wants, according to an expert]( by Zeeshan Aleem Is Russia really looking to invade Ukraine? And how messy could it get if the West tries to stop it? To understand more about the situation at hand, [Zeeshan Aleem enlisted the help]( of Russia expert Anatol Lieven, author of "Ukraine and Russia: A Fraternal Rivalry." Lieven shares his thoughts on what motivates Putin, what advice he would impart to President Joe Biden if given the chance and why Russia is so concerned about Ukraine entering NATO. "The buildup is intended to put pressure on the West and the U.S. to, if not meet all of Russia's demands, at least compromise sufficiently to give the Russian government the appearance of some kind of success," according to Lieven. "I don't think — and it appears to still be the consensus of U.S. intelligence — that they have definitely decided on war." Read Zeeshan Aleem's [full analysis]( in your Wednesday [MSNBC Daily.]( TOP STORIES [Alternate text] [A photo of Trump]( [Joyce Vance]( Why a newly unearthed draft executive order could be a game changer]( The existence of the draft doesn't prove Trump entered into an illegal conspiracy. But it does raise a lot of questions. [Read More]( [A photo of Biden]( [Trita Parsi]( Enough is enough: America must end its obsession with the Middle East]( Biden's Middle East strategy is so egregiously flawed.[Read More]( [A photo of the Supreme Court]( [Ja'han Jones]( [Asian Americans 'will not be used' by conservatives attacking affirmative action]( A white-led organization is using Asian-American plaintiffs to beat back affirmative action polices in colleges. [Read More]( [A photo of Trump]( [Steve Benen]( [Trump is clearly unnerved by the Georgia criminal probe]( For months, Trump said effectively nothing about his investigation in Georgia. Now, he can't stop talking about it. [Read More]( TOP VIDEOS [Alternate text] [A photo of Alex Jones]( [Chris Hayes]( ['They have everything:' Alex Jones meets with Jan. 6 panel]( [A photo of Neil deGrasse Tyson]( [The Beat With Ari]( [Neil deGrasse Tyson: Netflix's apocalyptic hit served a 'dose of reality that scared me']( [A photo of FDR]( [The ReidOut]( [This 1930s plot to overthrow the U.S. government sounds eerily familiar]( [A photo of Glenn Youngkin]( [Deadline White House]( [Glenn Youngkin goes 'backwards towards Trump' in his first 10 days]( MORE FROM MSNBC [Alternate text] How do we make sense of this unprecedented moment in world history? Why is this all happening? Chris Hayes asks the big questions that keep him up at night every week on his podcast, aptly titled, "[Why Is This Happening?](" Time for our mailbag! Chris and producers Tiffany Champion and Doni Holloway answer your questions and talk about what's new on the pod. Chris also discusses which interview in 2021 stuck with him the most, and we share an exciting milestone that we need your help to celebrate! [Listen now.]( Senator Elizabeth Warren joins Hallie Jackson for a live interview to discuss the Federal Reserve Chairman's news conference. Watch Hallie Jackson Reports, today at 3 p.m. ET. [Image] [Image] [Privacy]( [Unsubscribe](listvar=sub_daily)