"Well, I think he's right to notice that there is a difference in attitudes and even in the broadest sense of world view between Eastern Europe and Western Europe. Which is old and which is new is an interesting question, and I almost think that maybe he's got it backwards"

Robert Kagan is recommending that there is a difference in between Eastern and Western Europe in regards to mindsets and world view. He is also recommending that the traditional view of which is old and which is brand-new might be incorrect. He is implying that the conventional view of Eastern Europe being the old and Western Europe being the new might be inaccurate. He is suggesting that the conventional view of Eastern Europe being the old and Western Europe being the new might be obsoleted and that the 2 areas may be more comparable than previously believed. He is likewise recommending that the 2 regions may be more intertwined than formerly believed, and that the standard view of them being separate may be incorrect. He is recommending that the 2 areas may be more interconnected than formerly thought, which the standard view of them being separate might be obsoleted.