And spending a little time in Ukraine and Russia on business made me aware that deep in the soul of those people is a fear of the hordes from Asia over running them. Hell, the Chinese are already walking into eastern Russia unopposed.
Churchill’s words are still just as true today:
“I cannot forecast to you the action of Russia. It is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma; but perhaps there is a key. That key is Russian national interest.”
Well, just so. Russia has a natural interest in protecting themselves from future threats from China. And they also have a natural interest in protecting themselves against the Islamic threat on their southern flank.
That is all the more so because of the demographics. Russian population is shrinking, and Muslim populations are growing. Steyn has a persuasive chapter on Russia in his book, America Alone.
Unfortunately, they still have dreams of empire, of regaining the lost territories of the USSR, and of continuing to expand into new lands. And Putin panders to those dreams.
It’s a self-defeating policy, since there will scarcely be enough Russians left to defend Russia, let alone rule over all their neighbors; but they seem determined to follow it even if it destroys them.