Russia's Dedicated Battle With Islamism
Russians are truly perplexed at the American and NATO military stationed in Afghanistan attempting to do what the Soviet Union could not. Among the Russian troops were Russian-Muslim military personnel to help soften the blow of invasion in Russia's attempt to still Afghan Islamofascism, yet 17,000 Russian military were killed in the 8-year process, before Russia was compelled to leave.Some high-placed Russian military veterans would dearly love to know why their experience wasn't taken seriously. They fought valorously but in vain against a volatile religious fervour impervious to intervention. They seem prepared to overlook the proxy war that resulted with the U.S. and Britain training and arming the Afghan mujaheddin. In the greater interests as sometimes-allies, of aiding NATO by sharing their experience in defeat.
And now things are reversed, with the United States and its NATO allies bogged down in what will ultimately become an ignominious defeat at the hands of a country that has never in its long history brooked invasion and foreign occupation. The Western coalition hanging in there with the expressed purpose of leaving when Afghanistan is capable of looking after itself seems to be whistling in the wind.
Resistance, armed and violent and bloodily vicious is in the life-blood of Afghan tribespeople; not so evident perhaps in battling their own 'insurgents', but certainly there in spades when tribal divisions are dropped in the greater interests of defeating foreign invaders. President Karzai's invitation of governance-sharing with the Taliban true to form.
But what has Russia itself learned about repressing fanatical Islamism on its own soil? Precious little, it most certainly appears. Other than the loathe-to-admit reality that dedicated suicide bombers are not readily deterred from their mission to achieve martyrdom. And despite the government's vow to its people that it will secure their safety, it is quite clear it cannot. Deadly strikes within Russia, including Moscow, bring the lie to security.
When Russia began to exert its military muscle against Chechnya's break for independence two decades ago no one read the chicken entrails to determine the road ahead. Islamist Chechens were not loathe to unleash the terror of wholesale slaughter on army bases, hotels, government offices and rock concerts, trains, planes, buses and the Moscow subway where all told, hundreds of Russians perished.
Now the spectre of the Black Widows resurfacing with renewed bitter intent to become Shakhidy with the intention of avenging the deaths of their brothers, fathers, husbands and sons is again on the deadly horizon. What distinguishes them physically from other Muslim women in their head-to-toe black garments is the pouches packed with explosives that they proudly wear and detonate at the most favourable kill-times.
The Russian public is well prepared to support its government as Moscow threatens to exact vengeance for the latest atrocities in which two Caucasus women successfully detonated themselves, taking with them into the nether regions of hell 40 innocent Russian civilians, and wounding many more. Russia, therefore, is dedicated to wiping out the dangerous vipers sitting on its doorstep.
"A crime that is terrible in its consequences and heinous in its manner has been committed. the terrorists will be destroyed", vowed Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.
How perfectly peculiar, come to think of it. While Russia is attacked by fanatical Islamists in response to Russia's attacks upon Muslim countries in the process of converting to extreme fundamentalism, Russia is also engaged in supporting, encouraging, arming, protecting and partnering with the most fanatical Islamist regime in the world.
In the final analysis, heads of great nations are as humanly fallible as those whom they purport to govern. For an electorate to place its collective trust in leaders who promise responsible governance while practising utter deceit both upon their own people and those of other countries, represents the ultimate betrayal.
Labels: Human Relations, Political Realities, Religion, Russia
posted by Pieface @ Tuesday, March 30, 2010
<< Home