Re: Russian Bear

Published: July 31, 2007, 2:49 pm

Diane, I actually think the Russian problem is a bit more complex than can be captured by dropping the f-bomb ("fascism") on the situation. Yes, there is much to be concerned about, particularly from a human rights perspective, but having lived in Ukraine for a year ('93-'94 ... okay, so it was eons ago), I can say with conviction that the Russian and Ukrainian people often think about their lives and freedoms very differently than do we. Do they want "freedom?" Well, yes. But they -- especially Russians -- also want their country to be great. And they want a higher quality of life than they've been experiencing since the USSR's dissolution. There's a real, latent nationalism there, and Putin has tapped into it. Then there's the security situation you mention ("[G]iven Russia's ties to Islamofascist regimes ... she's too dangerous to ignore."). But it's actually the Islamic population within their own borders that concerns them greatly. Spengler

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