Yeah you’re probably right. The wiki makes it sound like the policies were intended to try and shortcut negative outcomes, but didn’t necessarily work out. I can’t find it but I remember a piece with him on DemocracyNow where he explained something to the effect that during this process post-USSR the whole thing was hijacked by western political goals and designed to enthrall Russia and his proposal was essentially torn apart/twisted.

In any case, I’ve found his commentary frequently interesting or useful. He tends to come down pretty hard on American hegemony/adventurism. Lots of similar positions to John Mearsheimer from what I‘ve watched.