Lo (2015:102): “if the empire in its physical manifestation has ended, then the idea of empire remains very much alive.”
Lo (2015:102): The idea of empire is informed by shared language, history and civilization; strategic imperatives; a belief that Russia has a sense of entitlement and privileged right to intervene; a privileged role over other major powers; and an approach that views the post-soviet area as both a space (over which one exerts control) and a buffer zone.