"Having studied the Russian language and culture extensively" seems relatively modest compared to having negotiated the withdrawal of Russian forces from Europe (Bildt) or having led the MI6 (Younger). It's like taking programming advice from someone who has only read biographies of famous computer scientists and never actually worked on a software project with others.

I suspect there's value to both your perspective and GP's insofar as both can help understand international affairs in the present day. The "avid book readers" vary widely in quality but are more likely to write down what they've learned; as someone who doesn't know enough to discern the quality from the trash, I guess I'm asking whose writings are worth the effort.

Oh, and thank you both.