To what is paine referring when he says: "the cunning of the fox is as murderous as the violence of the wolf; and we ought to guard equally against both."

the answer is: the start of world war i, and russia’s hopes of benefiting from it

during world war i russian joined due to in their current crisis they were being supported by france and the war was already declared to them by germany, they needed to maintain their political goal and leadership role in the balkans, and is the same feeling that this excerpt evoke the eager of maintain the land value.

showing or having an insensitive and cruel disregard for others. (so basically being heartless)

hope this : )