Posted on 03/19/2014 12:39:50 PM PDT by No One Special
Here are some thought of my own, from my correspondence with people:
I noticed there's a tendency in the academic circles to blame America for everything that goes bad in the world, and it borders on the irrational. The US is not perfect, and has a share of stupid politicians, but often times other countries are much worse. There was little that the US could have done with Putin's idea to unite the country by stirring up jingoistic nationalism inside Russia and creating the image of the West as the evil conniving enemy, which is the easiest road that all wannabe dictators go. I've been seeing that develop for years, and now we have the results.
Putin's goal is a strong Russia, which is great, I only wish the best for that country. But he is not making it strong by fostering growth on the grassroots level. He divides the economy among those oligarchs who stay loyal to him, while destroying those who dare oppose him. In this situation, the only way he can make Russia appear stronger is by undermining and weakening the competition. Hence all the anti-Western propaganda at home and abroad. The KGB used to have a developed network for disseminating and planting disinformation and propaganda in the West, and Putin seems to have brought it back to full speed now, especially with the Ukrainian situation.
Claims that Russia is being constantly provoked by the West are laughable. It's just like in any group of people some can work with others and take constructive criticism rationally, while some others see the same things and perceive them as personal insults. It's like saying that a street thug is not guilty for attacking a passer-by who accidentally brushed his shoulder because the passer-by should have been more sensitive to the thug's sensibilities.
* * *
The mistake most observers are making is based on the false EU vs. Russia dichotomy, which is certainly useful to Russia but does not describe the true state of affairs. It's true that the protests in Ukraine started with Yanukovich's decision to stay with Russia as opposed to the EU. But from there it went to the demands of the complete overhaul of the corrupt government made of Moscow-backed politicians. If Ukraine doesn't distance itself from Moscow, it will forever remain in its shadow - a small, corrupt, dependent, incompetent, and ridiculed Little Russia. It's time for Ukraine to grow up and act as an independent adult.
I know you'll say that EU is not better, but has there really been any talk of Ukraine actually joining EU as a member? I thought it was about entering the European economic space only.
Where is Ameica?
Very interesting and good read. I empathize with Oleg's love for his country and the pain he must feel for those still in Ukraine caught up in this conflict.
I am of a mind that when Obama claimed to be more "flexible" in his second term, caught on mic, he gave a signal of further American weakness.
In fact, that is why Putin feels free to move in his nation's interest for the land he wants.
Obama cuts the balls off of our missile defense,
Obama alienates Israel,
Obama coddles the tyrants of Iran,
Obama withdraws from Afghanistan,
Obama begs China for money,
Obama refuses to develop REAL energy resources in this hemisphere,
Obama turns his back on freedom movements like Venezuela in this hemisphere,
Obama flees Iraq,
Obama doesn't even attend National Security Council meetings,
Obama abandons Mubarak for the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt,
Obama fires multiple generals and other leaders,
Obama begins purposefully flooding the US military with homosexuals,
Obama ignores the integrity of America's borders,
is it any surprise Putin feels emboldened???
Not to me.
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