Is Russia Playing Russian Roulette with the World?
63A Change of Guard, but the Same Old Stuff
Does Russia Pose a New Threat to the West?
Right after the Soviet Era ended, people in the West were happy to see Democratic reforms taking place in the new Russia that emerged from the dust of the old Cold War days. Entrepreneurs of all kinds began to flock to nations that had once been off-limits to Capitalists and others seeking to invest in free markets. It was a heady heyday of freedom, celebrated by Russians of all ethnic groups and languages.
So, what happened? Why is Russia now run more like a Mafia empire than a free-market country? Who did what to kill the great dream of a free and prosperous Russia, a Russia that followed a Western economic model?
Gary Kasparov was the Soviet Union's great chess player, who now runs, unsuccessfully, for political office in Russia. When he is not under threat of one kind or another, which he says comes straight from the top, Kasparov tries desperately to get his message out in a tightly controlled media that falls directly under the control of former President (now Prime Minister), Vladimir Putin, and now under the hand-picked puppet, Dmitry Medvedev.
You remember Putin, the man President Bush said he could see it in his eyes that he was a "good guy", the same guy Bush said was on the same page with us? Well, that Putin has been replaced by space aliens, I fear, because the strongman Putin, who now fills the chair of Prime Minister but keeps a tight grip on President Medvedev, seems bent of returning Russia to the same rigid control system that once kept the Soviet Union under such tight wraps.
Under Putin there have been mysterious assassinations, all accomplished in typical shoulder-shrugging "I know nothing" KGB style. KGB-like thugs have broken into offices, jailed officials, and yet worse, when regional elected governments displeased Putin, he replaced them with his own hand-picked men, who were 100% obedient to him, as were the old Stalinist apparatchiks of the 1930's and 40's.
Why do people in Russia put up with this, and why does no one speak out against this new Soviet-style dictatorship in the guise of democracy? Why do we go to war in places like Iraq yet say nothing about the anti-democratic "reforms" taking place under this current regime?
OK, people tell me that things work differently in Russia, that there is something fatalistic in "the Great Russian Soul". That people there just accept with quiet sighs the major and minor changes that occur in their lifetimes. Yet something tells me that the changes occurring are not part of any great plans to democratize that huge and still important nation.
Well, Gary Kasparov, a hero in my book, does try to speak out, and the result is that he is often under "protection, which means something akin to house arrest, and his political messages are banned from the Russian media. He is, in effect as well as in reality, gagged and kept from speaking out. Really, Joseph Stalin would have been proud of his prodigal son Vladimir Putin. Just as Roosevelt was fooled by Stalin, so is Bush fooled by Putin, a man with steely cold eyes and the stare of an apparatchik who, somehow made it to the top position, yet as part of the old system, does not know how to change it.
I fear the emergence of top-heavy Soviet-style leadership in Russia. It is still a very well-armed nation, with enough nukes to make life miserable for decades, if not centuries on Planet Earth. Even if the army is said to be in shambles, does that not create yet more fear in one's mind? Imagine an unpaid, armed mob that is rapidly losing whatever discipline it once proudly had, and thousands of nuclear weapons under the control of the same. Can anyone else see a dangerous storm brewing here?
On a different front, I fear that Russia will continue to use its natural gas and oil money to play spoiler in European and Middle East nations. Several former states of the Soviet Union are already knuckling under due to pressure of energy cut-off, and how long will it be before Germany and other western European nations feel the pressure? With NATO moving in on former Soviet states, Russia feels more isolated and paranoid - not a good state of being for a highly armed nuclear state.
I fear that a Russia playing Russian Roulette with the world will cause a catastrophe that will make WWI and WWII look like a Kindergarten exercise in playing at war. Already Russia is meddling in Iran, a situation I believe was caused by our meddling in Iraq. Russia longs for the days when it was also a super power, and hasn't yet learned that, like the U.S. it takes more than military might to truly be a super power.
Why do I fear these things? Well, when I look into Mr. Putin's eyes, I see a cold, calculating former KGB official who believes that people are robots to be ordered about, nations are natural enemies to Mother Russia, and I also see the cold, distant stare of a Mafia boss, willing to anything, and I do mean anything, to get his way.
I can only hope that whoever our next president may be, he or she will look deeply into Vladimir Putin's eyes and see him for what he really is. Because, unless our next leader has that ability, we all will be playing Russian Roulette with our future.
For more enlightenment about this subject, please refer to the article written by Lord David Howell, former British Cabinet minister and former chairman of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee. Lord Howell is now a member of the British House of Lords.
http://www.worldaffairsboard.com/western-alliance/42882-russia-disappoints-world.html
Presidents Bush & Putin Meeting
Putin Disses Bush
Putin - Are You Putting Me On?
Putin to U.S.: Don't Attack Iran.
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Comments
Thanks, Marisuewrites. I am old enough to remember when Nixon was president. I was and am no fan of his, but the historic & important trip to China was a proud moment in an otherwise flawed presidency. Unfortunately, I see no proud moments in the Bush years, only dismal half-hearted attempts and failure without admission of the truth.
I still blame Cheney for most of this, and Rumsfeld as well, for leading us by dogma and agenda rather by the intelligence & flexibility needed in a nation that considers itself a super power.
I said this before and I'll say it again: In order to truly be a super power, it takes more than just military might, it also takes diplomacy and a self-healing knowledge that we grow by admitting to and learning from our mistakes.
Interesting hub, Chef. The similarities in Russia's new regime and our own current regime are frightening. Big surprise that Gee-Duh liked Putin so much.
One more year! I'm praying -and I'm not a religious man- that we can survive that long with the evil idiot mob at the helm.
Is it just me or does Putin look loaded up with make-up in that picture on the bottom?
Great hub Chef. Could it be that Bush and Putin have the same agenda - just using different tactics to get there?
I often wonder about that, diarson. Putin wants to stay in power, no matter what. He does so by proxy, through Medvedev, his hand-picked puppet - literally, Putin forced the vote to go in Medvedev's favor, by strangling the campaign of Gary Karparov, the most popular contender and strong Putin critic. Kasparov was not even allowed on the ballot in most voting districts, and this was by Putin's order!
Of course he shrugged his shoulders in the same old arrogant way and gave his excuses.
Someone suggested in another hub that another national emergency could see Bush doing the same. Putin uses the excuse of national emergency rule, to overthrow the regional governors. It sounds to me like the same old excuse - things aren't doing my way, so let's change the rules.
WeddingConsultant - yes, he does look like that - I don't know if it's the Russia winter, the angle of the lighting, or just a botched PR make-up job.
But look at the eyes and tell me what you think about that 1,000 yard stare.
haah true- he does have a very intimidating look to him!
And now, just today, Putin upstaged his puppet Medvedev in a press conference and appointed most of his cronies to help him in his new office. It was quite clear watching him who was in charge, and it wasn't Medvedev!
I think that some terrible days lie ahead in our relations with Russia, and that makes me sad. I have long had a great deal of fondness for Russia, having studied the history and having known so many Russians in my lifetime. I had hoped for better in their change over the years, and it looks as if I, amongst many millions of Russians, shall be disappointed.
Also see:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080512/wl_nm/russia_c
to learn about Putin's newest attacks on Democracy in russia.
Jeff, you are so spot on here it's scary. I too believe Putin to be a calculating power monger clandestinely motivated to bring Russia back to the U.S.S.R. "glory" days. The difference between Putin and Bush is that Putin is a heck of a lot smarter; brilliant some may say. I completely agree with Mariesue when she says that American foreign policy has crippled both our economy and defendability. I don't know what will transpire with our former foe. They really never went away. A change of clothing has bought them time.
It is indeed scary times that we live in.
Donna
I was the one, probably along with others, who expressed fear over Bush forcing his way into another, or permanent!, term. I will not breath easy until all of those thugs are out of Washington.
If he Gee-Duh does force his way into another term, do you think there will be a revolution? I wonder, will America continue to look the other way?
Yes, Constant, that's right - I remember reading that in one of your hubs. As for revolution, I guess that depends upon if there is a new reality show geared up to start that week. We Romans - strike that - Americans, sure are addicted to our bread and circuses, aren't we?
I would think Fox News would name us all pinheads, and by the way, did anyone else catch that YouTube snippet of Bill O'Reilly going off on the camera crew some years back? Mr. Pinhead or Patriot sure seemed like a pinhead in that one, shouting the "F" word at the grossly underpaid crew while he, in his righteous, pompous, overpaid anger, couldn't read his cues because there was nothing on the teleprompter.
Todays pinhead is Mr. "I'm always right and you're always wrong" Bill O'Reilly!
Wow, I didn't catch that. It's probably still on YouTube, but I care that much about Bill O'Reilly to go search for it...
I would have to believe you are correct. Through the years I have heard many prophesies about the Great symbolic bear from the North.
When the Wall was taken out of consideration, These prophesies switched to Islam. I think the Zero scale is swinging back to the North.
Mr Bush thinks those eyes are magic the measure of a true man.
We all know what we think of mr. Bush's mind
Mr Marmalade, in prophecy Russia was never out of the picture, I believe, just temporarily out of our sight. I, like many, believed that once the old Soviet Union fell, a great change would come over the people who had lived under Soviet oppression. But the effects of Soviet policy lived on long after the body politic of that regime fell.
We are seeing the effect in the Middle East, and now Putin and his gang of former KGB operatives are stirring up trouble as if they were unrepentant Communists.
Those who are getting to know me through these hubs understand that while I am an Independent when I vote, there are some areas in which I side with either Democrats or Republicans. This is one area in which I agree more with Republicans - Watch Russia, especially Putin!
While I love and admire the Great Russian People, I just as strongly distrust and despise Putin and all he has done to return Russia to a police state mentality and reality.
I have long suspected that Cheney/Bush have no intention of relinquishing power any time soon and said as much on more than one occasion. When this came along I became more convinced that my fears are not unfounded.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/05/20
As far as Russia is concerned, what could be better for the Military Industrial Complex than renewed hostilities between America and a resurrected Soviet Union? Imagine the profits that could be made! And you make it sound as if it would be a bad thing!
Profits for whom?
and at what price, profit? Is any price ok? Values and consideration and humanity are naught? hmmm
Yeah!! ...what SHE said!
Sick-em, Marisue!
Hey Constant, marisuewrites:
The same war profiteering corporate psychopaths who are making billions from the illegal invasion and occupation of Iraq.
As for my comment above, can you say “sarcasm”?
I read you, CWB, and also my friends Constant & Marisue. I believe we are all on the same page with this issue - somehow this may (will?) end up being the "new 9-11" for the far Right.
As for profits, I remember Eisenhower saying that we need to be wary of the military industrial complex, because unfettered Capitalism is as extreme and as bad for the common person as would be unfettered Communism. Any extreme, no matter if it's "ours" or "theirs" is unhealthy for most people, and "healthy" only for the ultra-privileged few.
I would believe the newer version of Eisenhower's statement might be "Be wary of the neo-con agenda utilizing the M-I complex." That includes such "Heroes of the Right" as Cheney, Rove and others who think that lying is just another form of persuasion.
Sorry CWB. Sarcasm, irony, etc, doesn't always carry through too well in print.
I worry for Obama's term, because things have gotten so rediculous with the government and there's a lot of expectation on his shoulders to immediately set everything right.
I say Chef for Congress! I'll vote for you...many times; why not; they did for bush...whoever counted the votes...
Unfortunate how this hub has turned into yet another Bush-bashing fest. I thought it was going to be about Russia...?
Sorry - we have gotten off track, WeddingConsultant! So many passions out there today!
Still I wonder if whoever we elect as president will be equiped and ready to handle Russia as it now goes through major and unwelcome changes. Do you think any one of the three major candidates has a grasp of what is at stake here?
I would like to see if they are aware of the consequences of how our relations with Russia, and the former USSR states, will change over the coming years. With so many former USSR states now wanting in on NATO, does that also change the nature of that organization?
Indeed, with NATO nations taking more of the lead for their own well-being, will that change how Russia views Europe? I believe there is still a deep fear, a paranoia, and not without cause, in the Russian psyche.
Staring into those cold, calculating eyes is somewhat disturbing. Anyone person who holds the power to destroy the earth plenty of times over with a couple of words is creepy enough. Even though America has the same ability, we're not always raving mad ;)
Good hub!
Jeff- to answer your comment on the three candidates, I honestly don't like any of the three choices at this point. I would consider myself an independent-leaning republican voter, but I gotta tell you McCain isn't my candidate of choice. Mike Huckabee was, but that doesn't matter at this point. I will say that political conversations such as these are welcomed in hubs such as this one: http://hubpages.com/hub/And-the-next-President-of- wink wink!
I think the question is which is the lesser of three evils. But anyway, about international relations. One thing I'd like to see our future president do is mend international relations with countries such as Russia. I think our foreign policy has stunk in the past (and I'm not saying just in the past 8 years here folks...). We need to focus more on aiding and helping countries in need and less on offending others. But I don't think that's always 100% possible. Russia is one of those countries that we really need to focus on in terms of making them a close ally like Australia or Britain. They have a lot of influence over communist countries and Asian countries and could be a great liaison between us and them.
I agree that our forgeign policy has stunk, WeddingConsultant, and I am not certain that John Kerry would have done any better than did George Bush. Yes, he would have done different things, but better? I do not know, and it's all water under the dam and over the bridge by now - speculation.
However, we need to demand of whoever our next president shall be that we take all policy seriously, not in a partisan way, but in what is best for our nation. Do I agree with Obama's ideas of dialogue with Iran? Perhaps - it depends on many things, but I believe very strongly that by not engaging in talks we may one day be engaging in a war not of our own choosing, a war we will be hard-pressed to win, given the current divide in our country.
I don't claim to be an expert in foreign relations, but I do know that talk is cheap, much cheaper than even one life lost in a war. I wonder what others think about this, because, getting back to the original purpose of this hub, Russia is out there, stirring up trouble, and how can we counter that short of nuclear war if we don't talk? Can we dialogue and come to a compromise? Can we talk rather than fight, and if it comes to a fight, will we be sure that we tried everything short of appeasement?
Sadly, it seems that the American stance is usually to tell the other guy appease us or fight. Our idea of foreign relations is something like bribe, cajole, threaten, isolate and attack. Frankly, I do not see any of the so-called candidates taking the kind of diplomatic steps necessary to make peace a priority. Peace is just not profitable. War and death are the moneymakers.
We follow the lead, for better or worse, of those who came before us. Like children, we learn what we are taught, and the history of Human Kind is rife with wars, killing and death to the enemy, whoever that enemy might be.
I wonder what our future will be like?
And yes, peace is not profitable. What a shame we put profit above other important things!
It is my hope, my deepest belief, that one day we will break the cycle and jump off the wheel. The only thing that keeps me going is my certainty that humanity, at its deepest, innermost core, is inherently good. I know we are capable of attaining a higher level of awareness and moving beyond our infancy. My problem is the unbearable sorrow that I feel knowing that this metamorphosis will probably involve the suffering and death of untold millions of utterly innocent people.
It takes a lot of courage to walk down a new and unknown path, but I agree that someone, somewhere, has to do it. If not "the greatest nation on Earth", then who? We often talk about our country in such glowing terms. I wonder if that is mere sunshine patriot talk, however.
I harken back to the attitudes and positions of the founders of our nation. These were not false men, they were true to their convictions, a lesson many of our politicians could stand to learn.
They were also putting their lives on the line, literally, standing together in strength or hanging together on the old oak tree.
They were also doing something completely new and different - Democracy in the 13 Colonies was the only place it would exist for many years yet to come. We shook off the old order, kings and emperors, and made a government, not perfect, but surely aiming toward perfection, ruled not by one, but by all the people.
It did not start out with all people being able to participate: women, Native Americans, and African Americans were cruelly shut out, and it took many more brave people to change that injustive.
But, the injustice was eliminated, over time, and freedom for many became the rule of Law and Justice. Fredom for all has yet to be realised, but unless we are false people, it shall be.
The commercial used to say "Be a Tiger." using Tiger Woods as an example of someone who overcomes the odds, perfects his skills and succeeds. I would also say, "Be a Lincoln," or "Be a Washington," or "Be a Martin Luther King," or "Be a Gandhi," or "Be a Jane Addams:" - I could add many more names, but you get the idea. Fix your sight on a place better than where you are now, and then strive, claw and fight your way to it.
Be a friend, be a healer, be a brother, sister, teacher, student, worker, leader but above all be a human being. Know that you are no more or less deserving of life, peace and freedom than any member of our family. Know that our family is every man, woman and child who has ever lived, is now living or ever will live and that the survival of our family depends equally on each one of us. Know that it is our obligation, our privilege to nurture, protect and preserve all life and everything that makes it possible. Never, never, be so arrogant, so contemptuous as to assume that the world and all its riches are free for the taking with no concern for the consequences.
And now I’ll climb down from my soapbox. I’m just in that kind of mood today.
Excellent advice - be kind to others, and hope for the best! As my mom says - it couldn't hurt!
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working
marisuewrites says:
2 months ago
Power. Putin wants Power for Russia; himself. Bush is and always has been naive. He was naive when he sent us into Iraq - you can't "give" freedom -- or a "steak" to people with no teeth, or "babies." They needed freedom in small doses and why us? OIL. We are on bended knee as a nation...soon. I'm not gloom and doom, but our country has made huge strategic mistakes in our foreign and domestic policy. All of that has made us weak. We need to watch the congress and president each inch of the way this next few years and I hope it's enough. I fear it isn't.
Once again, Chef....great hub. Thanks!!