That in a nutshell is our monstrous distortion of world politics, with nasty Putin-Russia even more threatening than the Soviet Union was depicted. It is impossible to deconstruct the morass that BBC and its US equivalent has created. It truly frightens me. My only solace is in genuine history, and I thank whoever or whatever that bequeathed me my quirky love of Russia and its noble and tragic history.
Rather than being an active midwife of a new world order opposed to imperialism (Soviet policy), Russia is playing a waiting game -- the age-old policy of retreat used against the Mongols, the French and the Nazis. "Americans play Monopoly, Russians chess." At times, it is wise to sit back and wait for the straw that breaks the ogre's (excuse me, camel's) back. A fool's mate comes about when your opponent is bankrupt, and it certainly looks like this is how the current game is shaping up.
What really clinched my love affair with Russia is the fervent commitment of all Russians that I've ever met to peace. They were the arbiters of peace throughout the impossible 20th century, contrary to all the propaganda we were fed in the West. So I will end on a more upbeat note: The US and Russia have many common interests--an end to terrorism, an end to nuclear weapons, environmental rescue, an end to extreme poverty. They all require cooperation. They are not zero-sum games. It's your move, Uncle Sam.
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
4
4
2
