Speaking with the Associated Press before his departure for Russia; US President Barack Obama gave every impression that he intends to play Russia President Dmitry Medvedev off against Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. This is naive and very dangerous. Moreover, such an approach will not result in “resetting” Russia-US relations.
Either Obama believes he has already mastered Russian politics (assuming that is even possible among us who are hardcore Russia-watchers) or he is being given some very bad advice.
Irrespective of which, the US president never should have said the following in public:
“…Prime Minister Putin still has a lot of sway in Russia, and I think that it's important that even as we move forward with President Medvedev, that Putin understands that the old Cold War approaches to U.S.-Russian relations is outdated, that it's time to move forward in a different direction. I think Medvedev understands that. I think Putin has one foot in the old ways of doing business and one foot in the new. And to the extent that we can provide him and the Russian people a clear sense that the U.S. is not seeking an antagonistic relationship, but wants cooperation on nuclear nonproliferation, fighting terrorism, energy issues - that we'll end up having a stronger partner overall in this process.”
In Russia today, it is simply impossible to play Medvedev off against Putin. Both represent the same policy approaches, including foreign policies, but in different ways. As I have stated in the past, both are modernizers, with Medvedev taking more of a liberal trajectory and Putin more of a statist. At this point in time, both approaches need the other be to effective. Obama can in no way divide the two.
I still find it odd the western mainstream continues to see what they want to see in Medvedev and Putin. Medvedev is liked because he isn’t Putin. This has nothing to do with politics and policy – just simply misplaced perceptions that are only self-serving. (It needs to be remembered that a great deal of Medvedev’s popularity at home comes from the trust Putin has in him).
Additionally, no one in Russia’s political elite would ever think about “choosing” one member of the tandem over the other when it comes to foreign policy, and to please the leader of another country.
As far as where the tandem has its feet, I can only say they are on solid ground remembering the past and moving forward.
I certainly hope the upcoming summit will proceed better than Obama’s initial remarks would indicate. He needs better advice than he’s getting at the moment.
Show comments (40)US President Barack Obama will soon arrive in Moscow, marking his first visit to Russia while in office. However, in the days and weeks leading up to this occasion, with the aim of “resetting” Russia-US relations, there has been a concerted effort on a number of fronts to derail this enterprise. On the domestic front, some prominent Russian liberals have urged Obama not to engage closely with the Kremlin because of Russia’s claimed “values deficit.” On the foreign front, the issue of Georgia is again being used as a wedge to divide Moscow and Washington.
Since taking office, Obama has been provided with an enormous amount of advice on how to repair the Russia-US relationship, which was left on the barest of life-support by the Bush administration. The good news is that Obama appears willing to rebuild this bilateral relationship primarily on shared security interests. Indeed, until there is strong evidence to the contrary, it would seem Obama is embracing a realistic approach to foreign policy in general, and this includes Washington’s Russia foreign policy in particular. While I am cautiously optimistic that America will attempt to learn from its past foreign policy mistakes, there are those who demand that ideology, and the so-called “values agenda”, should remain paramount. In other words, it would seem that some believe there was nothing really wrong with Bush’s neocon agenda – it was good theory, but its implementation never reached expectations.
Many of Russia’s well-known liberals are not neocons, but they appear to suggest that the US should be party to solving Russia’s problems, as they understand their own country. In a Washington Post op-ed piece, “False Choices for Russia”, published on June 9 by Lev Gudkov, Igor Klyamkin, Georgy Satarov, and Lilia Shevtsov, we are told that “America has ignored the problems of democracy and civil society in Russia, but even turning a blind eye did not prevent the breakdown in the U.S.-Russian relationship -- and now Obama is essentially being asked to treat Russia as though it is incapable of democratic transformation.” Russia’s democracy project – with all its problems, successes, and challenges – is the sole affair of the Russian people. Now it is an obvious truism that, the more Washington meddles in the affairs of another, the more that state is seen as less than legitimate in the eyes of society and its liberals of all stripes.
The authors of “False Choices for Russia” continue the long and failed tradition of Russia’s liberal intelligentsia when looking to the West to remedy their country’s problems. I would advise Obama to ignore completely Russia’s liberals, up until the time Russian liberalism matures and accepts that it must work as a partner in Russian politics. To date, liberals in Russia only lecture and demean their own people, as well as criticize the current political elite without offering a coherent alternative. Russian voters have no interest in a liberal agenda and this is the reason Obama should have no interest in Russian liberals.
No one should be surprised that there are many liberal and neocon elements in the US and Russia who hope to influence Obama on how to engage Russia – after all, many make a living off supporting Washington’s policies and its various instruments of soft power. Truly improved relations Russia and the US would make them irrelevant and obviously redundant. This is where the foreign front comes to the fore – playing the Georgia card.
Washington’s “Georgia project” went into complete disarray when Mikhail Saakashvili attacked South Ossetia last August. It was supposed to be a quick war that would show the world “democratic Georgia”, after which America’s ally could continue the advance of western influence in the post-Soviet space at Russia’s expense. The result of that conflict was the emergence of two new states, South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and there is nothing that will change this reality on the ground.
Today, things are very different. Saakashvili is fighting the political struggle of his life – he may not be made to flee his country, but it is clear he rules as a very unpopular leader. This state of affairs has not deterred many in the US and some in Russia from using Georgia a flashpoint to warn Obama that Russia cannot be truly a strategic partner of the US.
Saakashvili is no longer the showcase of the neocon agenda. But this does not matter – Georgia can be used in a different way. In the past few weeks, the message coming out of western media and governments is support for Georgia – which in Georgia is deemed no longer important. However, mainstream media rarely points out that Georgia’s opposition is really no different from Saakashvili when it comes to foreign policy, which of course is pro-American and anti-Russian. Thus, nothing has really changed – Georgia, with its erratic leadership and political elite, continues to be used to undermine a Russia-US rapprochement. How Georgia actually enhances American foreign policy interests are never really explained, particularly in reference to Russia.
It is my hope that Obama comes to Moscow like he did to Cairo – with an open mind. Moscow and Washington do have their differences, but the commonalities are even greater. Russia’s democracy project has a long way to go, but its course can only be determined by the Russian people and not by ideologically-driven Americans and self-denying Russian liberals. Georgia has become a failed state because of foreign meddling. Obama can turn a new page with Russia if he is determined to adhere to the value of mutual cooperation and leave the Georgians to figure out their own affairs among themselves in their geopolitical neighborhood.
03 July, 2009, 07:32
Peter,
Let's remain cautiously optimistic regarding the upcoming Medvedev-Obama summit.
Gene Hopkins,
SF, CA, USA
G
03 July, 2009, 04:57
I was going to refrain from commenting until I heard a quote from Pres. Obama today that just made my jaw drop. He said Putin should understand that the Cold War is outdated, and that Putin needs convincing that the US wants cooperation rather than an antagonistic relationship, and that he has one foot in the old way of doing business and one foot in the new. Wow. This is either the most hypocritical thing I have heard in the past 5 or 6 administrations, OR, Obama won first prize in the contest of, "Just Does Not Get It." Wow, where to begin and how to keep this short . . . How about, Mr. President, you could look at your own cabinet and consider replacing some of those old Cold War-horses. Maybe stuff a sock in Biden's mouth before he says something that sounds like it could have come from 1963. Or, how about, weed through your advisors and get rid of those C.F.R. guys who still want to dismantle Russia and sell the pieces to big capitalists. Or, um, cut back on funding those crazy "freedom fighters" in the North Caucasus. How about cancelling the contract for that missile installation planned for Poland (to protect against Iran, but "coincidentally" pointed toward the east?). THEN we can talk about whether or not Russia seems to have 'tude. OK?
02 July, 2009, 10:36
I'm afriad I agree with Astraea and Meslin on this one. America is clearly, clearly behind the Honduras coup, just look at the facts. I recommend Al-Jazeera as well as an alternative news source as well for those who want to see what role America has and is currently playing in Honduras.
02 July, 2009, 02:07
You are right Peter. Again. As always
It is painful to watch how much resources and even more lives are being wasted on and by politics of confrontation.
Wouldn't it be nice, if we could have a minimum of 1,000 years of global peace. Just think how much we could build, just think how far we could really go - all the way to the stars one hopes.
We have the dreams. So what or who is really stopping us?
Maybe those who are stopping us should pose themselves the old question: "How many Angels can dance on the tip of a needle?"
If they cannot answer that question then I bet they cannot even begin to know how much damage they are doing to humanity and its dreams and future.
JK
01 July, 2009, 21:04
Obama’s challenge is yet to be created - in Russia! This is the duty of the Russian host: to load only as much of expectancy to re-trigger Obama’s own creativity successfully expressed before entering White House.
Let the expansion face the resurrection. Otherwise all remains “just another brick in the wall”.
01 July, 2009, 20:25
Mr Lavelle.
It seems to me that like certain russian decisions'makers, you confuse wishfull thinking and realistic politics.
In Honduras, Iran, Georgia, Ukraine etc.american dirty tricks have not stopped. The AMD has not been scrapped and none of the 700 military and spy installations set-up all over the World (mostly around Russia) has not been closed.
Mr Obama' sincerity and willingness to change US global priorities need to be proved by actions not just by talks. So far nothing concret has been done, because, like his predecessors, Obama is a pawn
whose election costed 3 billions $. That is all ! Sincerely.
Jean-Claude Meslin
01 July, 2009, 17:19
Any country that looks to the west for guidance and help will end up exploited. No country should put too much faith in any foreign mentor because it will cost them.
Those in Russia that want the US to show them the way are not trustworthy. Only Russia can work out its own problems.
01 July, 2009, 09:17
Peter, this Obama person does not have a mind of his own and he is remarkable for being to say exactly what he does not mean! It is amazing.
01 July, 2009, 06:51
I'm not sure what you mean when you say Moscow and Washington have more commonalities than differences? Even the one thing I can think of that they truly have in common, which is to end terrorism, their approaches are very different, with Russia preferring regional solutions to America's unilateral cowboy antics.
Soon it will be a year since the South Ossetian conflict. To remind all of us of this tragic event there are a number of opportunists hoping to ignite another “media war” like the one that ensued after Saakashvili’s reckless adventurism. One such person is Svante Cornell of Johns Hopkins University and co-editor of the recently released “The Guns of August 2009: Russia’s War in Georgia.”
After having a look at the list of contributors to this book, I strongly suggest you avoid this tome. There is nothing new in it: just the same old prejudices and ideologically-driven affection for the “Mugabe of the Caucasus.” However, I do suggest you read Cornell’s ‘please buy book’ article “Russia shuts out the international community” printed by the Daily Telegraph. It is a wonderful example of how the neocon agenda never dies and never fades away.
I think Cornell should have been a poet or a fiction writer. In the first paragraph he exhorts us to be aware of evil in the world, and the greatest evil is of course Russia. This week Russia vetoed a UN Security Council resolution extending the 16-year-old UN mission monitoring Abkhazia. Russia’s veto was correct in every way. The resolution simply did not reflect new realities – Abkhazia and South Ossetia are finally free of the ethnic cleansing maniacs located in Tbilisi. These two new countries will never again be menaced by the descendents of Zviad Gamsakhurdia.
Cornell then goes on to repeat falsehoods at the start of the second paragraph – “Last August, Russia invaded Georgia and effectively annexed two of its provinces, Abkhazia and South Ossetia.” This sentence alone is the best reason to avoid Cornell’s book. This sentence is the premise on which the entire article is based, and thus invalidates the entire article (and book I would assume).
Allow me to rewrite Cornell’s sentence: “Last August, Saakashvili launched a pre-emptive attack on South Ossetia which targeted civilians – primarily women and children – and recognized peacekeepers. Later, and because of Tbilisi’s aggression, Russia with great reluctance recognized South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states.” I have to assume that Cornell either lives under a rock or is willfully ignorant. Saakashvili has already publicly admitted he started the war. On top of this, leaks from an upcoming EU-related report support Saakashvili’s admission. What other evidence is needed for Cornell and his cabal of “blame Russia first” supporters to accept that the American-supported, -funded, and -trained Saakashvili regime is in the wrong?
I would comment on the rest of the Daily Telegraph article, but it is the same bluster and closed-mindedness we have heard and read in western mainstream media and from ideological diehards when it comes to Georgia’s so-called “western orientation.” Cornell and his ilk simply cannot admit that Washington’s Georgia project failed – thankfully it did and will continue to.
But I am not finished. There is something I think we all need to remember when reflecting on a conflict that should never have happened. People like Cornell like to think big and feel big, but what about the issue that really matters? He appears to have no interest in the fate and trials of the South Ossetians and Abkhazians. However, this is what the August conflict was all about – the status of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Russia was willing to live with the status quo before the aggression. Later, that stance changed. To avoid more ethnic cleansing of people who wanted to be free of Tbilisi, Russia agreed to their recognition as independent states for humanitarian reasons.
Please give the following a thought: South Ossetia and Abkhazia have since the early 90s wanted to be free of Tbilisi’s influence - neither wanted to be part of Georgia (let alone NATO). South Ossetia and Abkhazia have, since the end of the Soviet Union, looked to Russia for assistance and security from intensely hostile Georgian nationalism. But then again, that tragic story doesn’t fit into Cornell’s ideologically-driven narrative. That narrative avoids considering the hopes of oppressed people.
The neocon project is only about geopolitical ambitions - everything and everyone must conform to this thesis in advance. Any evidence that denies this thesis is discarded and so should Cornell’s book.
30 June, 2009, 14:47
I am sure FakesNews and the Counterfeit News Network are trying to drive us into the US bank dictators arms, luckily wih a good news outlet like RT, people can avoid the pull. Bad policies of warcrimes, torture and rape, I suppose good ones in relative terms are beatings and Gitmo concentration camps and worst ones are yet to be defined and implemented, we wait in dreadful anticipation! Sorry about the rape and torture, just bad ploicy, nothing I could do about it!
30 June, 2009, 14:28
During the abovementioned conflict we; like many others watched the developments daily, one observation that I would like to have an answer to is the fact that whenever Shakasvili was interviewed in his office he always had the idiotic EU flag to the left of him; now we know that Georgia is not a member of that unholy alliancen so why did he surround himself with those colours, surely the EU did not prompt him into fighting Russia or did they encourage him; would like to know
29 June, 2009, 19:04
Pauline,
As people, we can critique the actions of any country. You can critique American policies and Russian policies. Just because the US has embarked on bad policies, shouldn't lead us into the arms of foreign dictators for the sake a "multipolar world." The world is multipolar anyway., it doesn't need to be sold to use by this website, which is the Russian equivalent of FOX News.
29 June, 2009, 12:31
Haha, lolo, you made me laugh. South Ossetia never existed as entity before the Russians occupied Georgia in 1921. The majority of the population in Tskhinvali by that time were Georgians... etc. etc. Moreover, according to the Soviet Constitution Abkhazia and S.Ossetia are integral parts of Georgia.
29 June, 2009, 07:28
What's the difference between Chechnya and South Ossetia?
Well, Russia did not decide one day that O, let's go shoot the Chechens while they're sleeping. This is what Georgia did, the people in Tskhinval were sleeping when Georgia just opened fire on them. Secondly, South Ossetia has never been part of Georgia, never. When Georgia declared independence from the Soviets, S Ossetia and Abkhazia tried to do the same, but Georgia wouldn't let them. And in contrast, Chechnya was part of the Soviet Union so Russia, as the heir to the USSR, has the legal right to fight for Chechnya. And if you listen to the president of Chechnya, Mr Kadyrov, he says very clearly that many of these 'freedom fighters' in Chechnya are foreigners: Georgians, Azeris, British, Americans.
28 June, 2009, 15:14
@johnx, thanks for the info. I found an article about Rothschild and Khodorkovsky but it was by that guy who denies the Holocaust. However, he seems to have quoted a Washington Times article, so I'll stay open minded for now. If Rothschild really had his fingers in the Yukos pie, then I don't wonder why the Russian gov't shut down that operation so fast. AND why the western press is still fulminating about Putin. He pinched a lot of wallets in the west.
28 June, 2009, 00:37
Guistino,
What is the solution? As in ALL historic conflicts, compromise is the solution...Constantine, for instance, changed, and accepted Christianity, but a modified form. In my opinion, now Social Democracy is the answer...a synthesis between the extreme left and right that began back during World War I might work! The current economic crisis certainly shows that US Republican Party style unregulated capitalism is NOT the answer. Furthermore, you cannot have a global economic base and some Roman Empire superstructure...there MUST be a multi-polar world and a multi-power superstructure...and I say that as someone who loves my country, my own home, my own relatives, and I want justice, peace and prosperity. And by the way, get over your pontifical churchy attitude about the Soviet Union...they made some mistakes, but so have we, the USA! I grew up under APARTIED in the USA, called Jim Crow, and if you think people can be invaded for such things, or endlessly ordered about, then we sure as heck deserved to be invaded back then. This arrogant attitude as if the USA never did anything wrong is sickening to me, because my grandpa fought agianst slavery in the Union Army and I fought during the US Civil Rights movement! Don't tell me the USA is la la land, we have our problems!
26 June, 2009, 13:59
@MEJanssen
Sorry MEJanssen I posted the link to the Rothschild/Khodorkovsky article but RT didn’t post it.
Google focal point khodorkovsky and it is the forth result down.
@giustino
Good points as well as the issue of Chechen independence which is interlinked with Soviet and post soviet era organised crime, the oligarchs, western oil and gas control as describe in Brezinski’s Grand Chessboard and geo-politics which I will comment on latter.
26 June, 2009, 09:13
@ lolo. What has your current president done to solve problems between Russia and the U.S.? I admit MYpresident hasnt done much because he has to solve many problems and is judged by the whole world for trying to solve its problems. Its true he hasnt spoken much of Russia because he needs to stop America from bleeding. I am pretty sure YOUR president hasnt said much either. And Thank You! Look we can keep going on like this but something needs to be done between these two great countries. Agree?
26 June, 2009, 07:07
@ LB9806. Will you please mention 1 thing, just 1 thing, that YOUR president has DONE, that shows CHANGE towards Russia? Please do not mention the speeches, I'm looking for actual deeds, like stopping AMDs in Eastern Europe, stopping NATO expansion into post-soviet space, lifting sanctions against Iran, imposing sanctions against Israel for the illegal occupation and wars against Palestinians, etc. Thank you.
26 June, 2009, 07:01
Here are some questions: How were Georgian actions in Abkhazia and South Ossetia different from Russian actions in Chechnya in the early 1990s? Why are South Ossetians and Abkhazians worthy of independence and Chechens are not? And, finally, why has only Nicaragua recognized the independence of these two places?
Discuss.
26 June, 2009, 06:55
John,
I don't believe there is a way in which the Russian people could remove Putin from power peacefully. Actually, I am unsure of what the remaining levers of influence the Russian people have over him or Medvedev are. Opinion polls?
Since I live on the border with Russia, I would like to go to sleep at night knowing that if, God forbid, something happens to Superman, he has a legitimate successor in place to take over. But I am not convinced that once Putin is gone, Russia won't descend into the same anarchic infighting that accompanies most changes of power. And, as a diplomat recently said, we should be afraid of Russia when it is strong, but even more afraid of Russia when it is weak.
If Putin truly was a patriot, he would have left public office last year. By perpetuating his seemingly unending rule, he only sets up Russia for an eventual leadership crisis. The only argument for Putin to remain in power is that he is somehow smarter or stronger or a better strategic thinker than all other 140 million Russians. Which does harken back to the days of Communist leadership, if you think about it. I have no respect for this line of thinking. I don't do cult of personality.
26 June, 2009, 02:53
To Peter, even if CNN or FOX start a "media war" no one in the U.S. would pay attention because no media reaports about international subjects. Come to the U.S. I invite you to my house and you will see no one cares! We Americans are too busy with our lives! Accuse the Americans for "raping and torturing" but I did no such thing! Yes the U.S. isn't perfect it has many flaws towards its people and towards the world but hopefully with MY president things will change for the better and if not then hopefully in the future, but things will not get any better if Russians and Americans dont forget the past! Leave the past behind and look at the future, Our future.
25 June, 2009, 18:33
@MEJanssen
First Russian International Corporate Philanthropic Foundation (of Khodorkovsky and Rothschild): "I am launching the Foundation [First Russian International Corporate Philanthropic Foundation] in London to highlight the international nature of the Foundation's aims and to create an infrastructure from which the next generation of Russia's leaders will emerge."
There was also an article somewhere that mentioned that the Rothschild/Khodorkovsky Yukos oil company avoided paying taxes during the 90’s through there Menatep bank to an off shore bank account in the Isle of Man in Britain.
@LorenzoGhilardi
Abkhazia and South Ossetia didn’t claim independence straight after the break up of the USSR.
Abkhazia and South Ossetia were incorporated into Georgia under Stalin and given autonomous status with in Georgia.
With the break-up of the USSR the post Georgian ultra-nationalist president abolished there autonomous status and regional representation to bring it under central control of Georgia by sending in troops to occupy the regions sparking civil war. It was only when Abkhazian and Ossetian forces drove them out did them claim independence.
Putin said in an unpublished interview with a German reporter that he recognised the post USSR agreement that Crimea belongs to Ukraine so it is not an issue.
25 June, 2009, 17:15
To understand what is happening to Russia you need to know what happened to the Serbs in Yugoslavia which I think is the model they are using against Russia even MPRI troops were discovered training Georgian forces in sabotage techniques.
Thankfully clever Serbs and there expat community overseas (which Russia does not have) have created a series of website with full info and evidence chronicling the use of NGO’s, foreign intelligence, media, PR and lobbyist groups, terrorism, organised crime, etc
@Dirk Diggler
I'll clear up the confusion for you Russia is the big country Georgia is the small one you know the country that has the largest international terrorist base in the world were the militants transferred there operations to the Panski Gorge in 2003 right under the US nose which I’m sure they had no involvement with.
25 June, 2009, 15:22
LOL Count Cash, thanks for my laugh this morning. Progress is wonderful! @johnx, I knew Khordokovsky was up to something smelly, but I didn't know the Rothschilds were behind him. Got another link for that? I'm up for some reading. Thx.
25 June, 2009, 15:00
Thank you for the facts John X and Pauline. Giustino, please stop watching CNN, they do not report the news from both sides, only the side that suits greedy Wall Street capitalists. Pauline: you forgot to add that most of those jailed are black and brown people, who are a huge minority in the States. And I should add that the former Soviet states see America and the EU as a cash cow. Compare that to the ties they have with Russia, which are based on family, history, language and culture, a far more lasting bond than one based on dollars.
25 June, 2009, 09:33
giustino you funny!
Ha Ha Ha!
Live in Ukraine with no heat and gas all the time. We Europe are so you want to say when it helps you.
25 June, 2009, 09:26
Johnx - Perfect!
24 June, 2009, 19:53
The thing is that the collapse of USSR took place too quickly and left many unsorted issues. Many boundaries should be re-drawn. South Ossetians and Abkhazians declared themselves independent soon after the disgregation, therefore Georgia did have no right to claim those countries. Crimea should follow the same path and return back to Russia, every land or cities like Narva where the vast majority of population is Russian should passed over to Russia. That's the only means to avoid future tensions between states. The only alternative in order to get future stability would be the ethnic cleansing of Russians inside those countries, which would mean a second Holocaust. I know any revisionism would be very dangerous if not managed by the international community without bias against Russia or its neighbors, but as long as those problems are not sorted, there will be always tension between them.
10 July, 2009, 07:01
@lolo,
The reason RON PAUL and CYNTHIA McKINNEY were not allowed to debate is that they didn't garner any meaningful (more than 1 or 2 percent) nationwide support and thus to put them on TV with the main candidates would be an absolute WASTE OF TIME and a clown show. TV debates are for serious and VIABLE candidates and not for everyone who decides to run for president (and trust me, there are many of them).
07 July, 2009, 13:36
Lolo- You mean Cynthi McKinney. She is a self important crackpot conspiracy theorist that appeals to the frighteningly large population of paranoid minorities and uneducated here in the USA. She is only interviewed when the media need a snippet for their "odd news" page.
06 July, 2009, 15:59
@Lolo, agree with you. If we were really serious about "spreading democracy", we would have done a "regime change" in Zimbabwe years ago. Maybe so many people would not have starved to death. Maybe we could have done it for only $1 million rather than $1 trillion that we are spending in Iraq . . .
Of course, there is no oil in Zimbabwe.
06 July, 2009, 14:37
I agree completely with the person who said Obama is intimidated by Putin! Even Wild Bill Hickock George Bush was never really at ease with Putin, probably because you can never know what he’s thinking; he talks very little, smiles twice a year…
BUT to assume that Medvedev is easier to deal with is just pure *** and a sign of desperation.
To the Americans on this forum: how do you explain America’s support of Egypt and Saudi Arabia, who have zero democracy? Did you notice that in Iran there are 4 main candidates for presidency, and all of them are allowed to debate on national television? Do you know that Ron Paul was not allowed to debate on American television, because he’s views are different to those of the Democrats and the Republicans? And that black lady, I forget her name, (Cynthia?) is NEVER interviewed by American media, what kind of democracy is this? Don’t you ever wonder why there are no new parties with different ideas there, don’t you care to find out why these people’s views are suppressed?
Why is it that a black man (Obama) supports an apartheid regime like Israel, against black people of Gaza?
06 July, 2009, 11:29
It is simply not polite to criticize a person whom you are going to visit with such a word as "your one foot is in the old ways of doing business and the other is in the new".
To go further with this pattern of " two feet" one can say that the USA is currently standing firmly on two feet "in the old ways of doing business": in BMD deployment in Europe, NATO expansion further East with potential (not canceled yet) admission of Georgia and Ukraine, tactical and conventional NATO and the USA weapons in Europe, the Jackson-Vanick amendment, weaponization of outer space, etc.
06 July, 2009, 08:09
@David Wood, In 2002 media magnate Robert Murdoch wanted to buy another TV channel in the US. The White House blocked the transaction. After Murdoch outlined his support for Iraq invasion the White house dropped its objections. If you think the US media are free you are living in fools paradise.
Why two party political system should be better than one party system? I will start to believe the US believes in democracy once democracy is delivered to Saudi Arabia.
In the US there is no difference between the republicans and democrats. Both both parties represent the owners of the capital. It does not matter who wins elections that is why only about 50% voters bother to vote.
06 July, 2009, 06:23
I've watched Medvedev and Putin and I like what I see and hear. Both are intelligent, logical leaders who have much more integrity that US leadership. Both men seem to be working for the people of Russia and world peace. On the other hand, Obama doesn't have a clue as to what he is doing. With no military experience to speak of he is being seriously misled by the military and the neo-cons in has admisitration. These pschopaths love war and stealing other peoples money. Obama is nothing but a front man and a chump for the status quo.
06 July, 2009, 04:48
sasha - try coming and living in Russia, I have lived in the US and am now back in Russia and I can tell you, the comparison you make of Living standards in the USA are better, are a load of Rubbish, yes if you compare how many have a computer, or IPod, then you will get the sort of picture you have, but if you compare how fulfilling peoples lives are, or you compare the up and coming young adults, then it is completely differnt. Also remember the USA is credit driven, is that really a massive living standard, to be up to your eyeballs in debt and subsequent tax. In Russia, only now this credit monster is being unleashed on the people. So please don't make such sweeping generalisations. There is good and bad living standards in all countries! We don't sell our souls in Russia, like they do in the US. How big is the average US mortgage! How big is the average Russian mortgage!
06 July, 2009, 02:30
Obama is a typical Western politicians such as Sarcozy, and Merkel who hate Russia, who want to dominate the world, that is the old type imperialists. It should be pointed out that Obama tries to have an appearance of a moderate democratic politician but in reality he has both his feets in the old imperialist mentality.
06 July, 2009, 01:23
John, you're right on the money, man. There is no such thing as freedom of press in America...or the entire western hemisphere. It is the mother Russia that proudly occupies its place as the very beacon of freedom of press around the world. One can only hope that organizations like CNN, Router, AP, BBC, and others would take an example and learn from the unbiased and unabashedly truthful (not to mention world respected) reportings of a fine news outlet such as RT and Pravda. Oh I await eagerly till that day comes.
And the two party political system of the US...don't get me started on that...it's is also total crap. Real manifestation of democracy lies in the one unopposed party system of Russia, where the ones in power hand pick their puppet successors for the purposes of temporarily keeping the seat worm, to be returned to (with a longer tenure) later.
I am truly jealous of you guys. I am. Why was I born so unlucky as to be stuck in this oppressive sham of a Western society when I could've been flourishing in the abundance of political and social freedoms of the beloved mother Russia, China, or North Korea. Damn it! It's just not fair.
05 July, 2009, 23:42
Sierra Nevada,
I been to Georgia multiple times and the people of Georgia are some of the most hospital people in the world. It is not the peoples fault that the president of Georgia is worthless...
Georgia has some of the most fantastic food in the world and it comes from the soul. They know how to cook...
Quote "In response to your statement that it is the people of the former Soviet Union that makes the world go round....Does your statement include Georgians?"
Quote of what I said "What makes the world go round is the people and the people of the old Soviet countries are night and day above the Western people..."
What makes the world go round is the people... (People all over the world)... But people from the old soviet countries are night and day above Western people...
I never said that the people of the former Soviet Union are the only ones that make the world go round...I just said that they are better than their Western counterpart...
Is Georgia part of the old Soviet Union?
Are you saying that Georgians are different in some way that I do not know? Funny question...
They seemed like fantastic people to me...
Kyle
PS: Now if you are talking about Georgians in Georgia located in America then we are in a whole other ballgame.
05 July, 2009, 16:46
"A sphere of influence isn't the point. When the USSR and the Warsaw Pact dissolved why wasn't NATO?"
Why should NATO be dissolved? Even though the CCCP fell and the Warsaw Pact with it, why should NATO? Yes, perhaps it began for a purpose, but why can't it transform into something else? I would rather NATO be on my doorstep than Russia, and I don't think anyone can say otherwise. I am sure many people will agree with me, I would rather live in North America than any other place in the world.... why? stability, freedom, no crazy neighbour countries.... there are thousands and thousands of immigrants coming to North America from Russia, if Russia was such a great place, why would people leave in the first place? If all of you defending Russia on this message board think it is so great, go and live there, see what it is really like. I guarantee that you won't last long, unless you are a millionnaire who can buy everything and everyone.
However, I agree with many of you, the US is not perfect and never will be, but no one in the world can deny that people live much better in US than Russia... and isn't that the whole point?
I have nothing against Russians, I love the country, the culture, but I cannot stand what the politicians do to the people.
05 July, 2009, 11:22
I believe Obama is right in saying that we do not want a return to the cold war antics, but wrong in saying that it is wrong to have one foot in the past. It is right to have a solid grounding in the past, so we can fully remember and move forward with respect.
I think Obama should think about equality with women as being high on his agenda. The policy in Afghanistan which legalises rape of women in Afghan marriage must be axed. And his support of the homosexual community in America just underlines his inaction for bringing about equality. He must put these fundamental building blocks in place first before trying to play the Russians at a game of political chess.
Regards
Anton
05 July, 2009, 07:01
By helping American colonialists in Afghanistan Russia is losing its good name around the world. Those who help to deliver the gun are as guilty as those who pull the trigger.
05 July, 2009, 06:57
Johnx & sasha, all US media are controlled by US government through licensing that is renewable every year. There is no such think like free and independent media in the US and never was. Being privately owned does not mean free. Media owners have no choice but to be the voice for government propaganda or else… there is no license and huge losses.
05 July, 2009, 05:02
Johnx - perfect! hole in one!
05 July, 2009, 05:00
Even though Obama is going to Russia, and he's going to talk to President Medvedev the American press is going to have a field day. First, all of the press here in America will be over how bad Putin is. He's evil, he's a monster, and a Stalin communist. After they are done with Putin they are going to talk about how there is no democracy in Russia. And how Russia wants to create a new Cold War. Just ask Bill O'reilly Sure they're going to talk about how Russia opposes the missile defense system but who cares about that because once we got the America public thinking how bad Russia is it's all good.They're also going to talk about the fact that Russia still supports it's friend the Iranians. No! This is why no wonder so many Americans believe the American media is corrput. Even though Russia and the Russian people will welcome Obama and his Clinton administration/ Bush policies with open arms and RESPECT the media here in the states will play it as if Russia is still communist, has no freedom, Putin is an authoritarian leader, the media is still controlled by Putin, and Putin still threatens everyone in the region. And that's why we have Fox News and CNN. God help us . So the final point is Obama is the new god in the world and everyone loves him and the Russian are still evil.
05 July, 2009, 02:28
I agree with those who say it is hostile for our US President to declare that he finds either Putin or Medvedev more agreeable. However, the US president is in an ackward position, because the western press has blasted Putin so badly (for standing up to the EU and USA), yet now Obama goes to Russia for a summit! Hmm! He may be serious, and if so, he is not very smart, or it may be that he has to feed the right wing dogs here something to eat? We shall see, and soon. Of course, we all hope that the USA and Russia can work something out, because we all want peace, justice and prosperity .
05 July, 2009, 01:40
Kyle,
In response to your statement that it is the people of the former Soviet Union that makes the world go round....Does your statement include Georgians?
04 July, 2009, 22:45
Alt - The problem with you is that you feel you are a missionary, the Westerner, coming to marry the Russian wife, and correct Russia. The tune and the words are well known and sung by many.
All countries have issues with neighbours, it comes with the territory, look at Europe, they were fighting for years between countries, look at the balkans. This is how it is, it is the reality of the world, not a Russian thing that Americans like to pretend exist.
Now if you place on top of this an agitator, both in terms of bribes, because money makes the world go around and also one in terms of political devisiveness, and sometimes even add to this in some cases a Nazi guilt trip. Then you have a potent cocktail.
So Alt, a nice simple analysis by you, but completely wrong. But I suppose the analysis, was never meant to be accurate. It was just a nice rendition of a heartfelt song.
Now again, I hear the missionary advice of diversification of the economy, but you could have heard it form us, as we have been talking about it quite repetitively over the years. We know business very well, but your patronising is well noted. So what else do you offer us, oh high missionary, Maybe some mumbo jumbo about totalitarianism, but hasn't the US supported those type of states over the years, when it suited them. No the only thing you offer, is the little child, who hopefully can grow up unbiased by your missionary advice.
They may learn not to cheat.