Putin's Russia
by Espi
There was no way Russia would be a quiet poodle under the benign influence of the US, the way Europe is. Its history, size, culture and self image demand a seat at the high table surrounded by world powers. The only super power of today, the US has perforce accommodate the ambitions of large nations like Russia, Brazil, China and India (the BRIC nations) to be treated as strategic equals. Their rising economic and military clout will enable them to gatecrash into this "exclusive" club anyway. Europe solely through economic and political consolidation has been able to retain its strategic relevance though by playing second fiddle to the US has lost all ability to be seen as an honest broker by the BRIC nations. Given this strategic perspective, it is easy to understand Russia's action in crushing Georgian impudence. It sent a firm message to the West that when it comes to its neighborhood Russia will not allow upstarts like Georgia to front for the US and taunt it without paying a heavy price. And to the US that it recognize Russian interests in its neighborhood. It is amazing that the US did not expect Russia to avenge the humiliation the US inflicted on it by encouraging and supporting the independence of Kosovo. Let the US forget about enticing Georgia and Ukraine to join NATO. And instigating the oil rich Muslim Central Asian nations to rebel against Russia. If it ignores this warning, one should expect Russia to encourage the disintegration of Ukraine by stoking rebellion from its ethnic Russians (who form 40% of the population) and by helping Iran with its nuclear program.
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by Espi
There was no way Russia would be a quiet poodle under the benign influence of the US, the way Europe is. Its history, size, culture and self image demand a seat at the high table surrounded by world powers. The only super power of today, the US has perforce accommodate the ambitions of large nations like Russia, Brazil, China and India (the BRIC nations) to be treated as strategic equals. Their rising economic and military clout will enable them to gatecrash into this "exclusive" club anyway. Europe solely through economic and political consolidation has been able to retain its strategic relevance though by playing second fiddle to the US has lost all ability to be seen as an honest broker by the BRIC nations. Given this strategic perspective, it is easy to understand Russia's action in crushing Georgian impudence. It sent a firm message to the West that when it comes to its neighborhood Russia will not allow upstarts like Georgia to front for the US and taunt it without paying a heavy price. And to the US that it recognize Russian interests in its neighborhood. It is amazing that the US did not expect Russia to avenge the humiliation the US inflicted on it by encouraging and supporting the independence of Kosovo. Let the US forget about enticing Georgia and Ukraine to join NATO. And instigating the oil rich Muslim Central Asian nations to rebel against Russia. If it ignores this warning, one should expect Russia to encourage the disintegration of Ukraine by stoking rebellion from its ethnic Russians (who form 40% of the population) and by helping Iran with its nuclear program.
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