Ah, Those Irritating Reversals
Not to trivialize the distinct danger inherent in seemingly responsible nations and their seemingly mature administrators resorting to juvenile threats and blandishments, but isn't it amazing how little is learned from unfortunate experiences? We just trudge forward, repeating them ad infinitum. We simply cannot seem to get it through our thick heads that nothing succeeds quite so well as mutual respect.Instead, heads of state insist on indulging in intrigues and behaviours reflective of manipulative, attention-getting childhood rants, raves and tantrums.
The United States and its allies in the European Union will insist on engaging in constant irritating gestures toward Russia, challenging its dearly held idee fixe that it represents the best interests, political, economic and social of Eastern Europe. What may seem like a rejection of tedious bondage to Russia's neighbours, in stark memory of their vulnerabilities and exploitation during the Soviet era, appears to Russia as the nasty manifestation of ingratitude.
Estonia, the Czchek Republic, Ukraine, Georgia and Poland (migod, even Serbia; will these betrayals never end?) may wish to ally themselves ever closer to the success, orientation and democratic ideology of the West, but in so doing they agitate the sensitivities of their resurgently-powerful neighbour. During the Cold War, the two nuclear-powered adversaries, sought to divide and conquer, and they're still doing it.
Each seeking adventure and influence invading - in the most friendly manner conceivable - the hemispheric influences of the other, challenging the other to do something about it, relatively complacent that conventional aggressive techniques, though possible, would not eventuate, while the assurance of mutual assured destruction would convince each to hold their breath and count to ten.
Now, if the United States feels justified by its status in the world as the currently recognized sole super-power, in setting in place missile interceptors in Eastern Europe, at Russia's very door, why would Russia, having emphatically rejected those emplacements which it feels could just as easily be turned on it, not do likewise?
In the process feeding the manic ego of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who now chortles of Russian protection against those mad-dog Americans who wish nothing more than to destroy his country and take unto themselves all the precious oil, the patrimony of the Venezuelan people. Thus, two Russian TU-160 bombers sit on Venezuela's El Libertador air force base. Oh, the symbolism, it's just too much to bear.
Not to ignore their former dependent Cuba, of course. There is buzz about plans to reinstate a solid military Russian presence in Cuba as well. Poor little Cuba and its misfortune to be located so fatalistically close to the Florida coast, so far from its erstwhile champion. Imagine, on that storm-tossed island, the existence yet again of an American military base and a Russian military base.
It's the case of the goose and the gander battling for the sauce based in hegemony and oil production. Wait, a flotilla of Russian warships is also scheduled to deploy alongside their Venezuelan and Cuban naval compadres. Such excitement, like the circus coming to town, only with the added thrill of drama inherent in the unsolved mystery of which is the tyrant and which the liberator.
Well, kind of makes sense. If you don't want a stranger, some alien from who knows where, and with what malicious intent, informing your good neighbours that you're an undercover front for a criminal gang, then don't do that kind of embarrassing thing to someone else's neighbour, right? Er sumthin'.
Labels: Political Realities, United States, World Crises
posted by Pieface @ Wednesday, September 17, 2008
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