I was rather fascinated and informed by Stephen Cohen on matters of Russia. He was a voice of clarity who could speak about the country of today and its concerns and motivations, in a room full of stuffy old hawks who only know how to drum up their old glory days of a Soviet boogyman who no longer exists, in hopes of pumping up their weapons stock portfolio.

I was sad he passed. Sadder still that no voice has replaced him. Needed now more than ever.