Putin's Ire
The two strands of Russia's preoccupation with its near future come together neatly with the assurance that President Vladimir Putin will indeed have his cake and eat it. Russia's Supreme Court ruling that Mr. Putin may lead his party in oncoming elections and simply switch positions to a temporary prime-ministership under a president of his choice selection plays off against his country's approval of their president's rage against the perfidy of the West.Now it can no longer be claimed by Mr. Putin's political adversaries that he is violating election laws. Mr. Putin has been given the go-ahead by the country's judiciary to head his party's list of candidates. His supreme assurance that his United Russia party will be handily brought into power confers on him the "moral right" to continue his high-stakes games of politics.
He enjoys such a high level of popular support among the electorate in any event, it seemed a sure bet that the "for Putin" movement would grant him the success he sought in his grandiose scheme to continue to represent Russia at the highest order of political elite. The more he thunders on against NATO and its oppressive presence adjacent Russia's borders, the more he endears himself to the populace.
One might think that some of his more egregiously threatening statements would have the effect of sobering the thought-sequences of Russians in general. Such as his message: "One of the most important tasks remains raising the combat readiness of the strategic nuclear forces. they should be ready to deliver a quick and adequate reply to any aggressor." So - are we back to a state of mutually-engaged nuclear deterrence?
It seems to be so that NATO's bellicose behaviour in placing its missile defence shield in Russia's too-near geography within Poland and the Czech Republic is geared more toward provoking Russia than the actual need to forestall attacks on NATO-friendly countries from sources such as Iran. Russia finds herself uncomfortably surrounded by EU states and NATO-aspiring associates.
No one likes to feel isolated and threatened. Counter-attack in word and deed is always the fall-back response to perceived attack.
Labels: Political Realities, World Crises
posted by Pieface @ Wednesday, November 21, 2007
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