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In reply to the discussion: Partners of the Ukrainian coup d'etat prime minister... [View all]pampango
(24,692 posts)10. Speaking of neocons: How Russia's president resembles the American hawks who hate him most
Ever since Vladimir Putin invaded Crimea, American pundits have strained to understand his view of the world. Putins been called a Nazi; a tsar; a man detached from reality. But theres another, more familiar framework that explains his behavior. In his approach to foreign policy, Vladimir Putin has a lot in common with those very American hawks (or neocons in popular parlance) who revile him most.
1. Putin is obsessed with the threat of appeasement
To Kristol, McCain, and their ilk, the United States is a nation perennially bullied by adversaries who are tougher, nastier, and more resolute than we are. ... In his (Putin's) view, its Russia that has been perennially bullied by tougher and nastier countriesin particular, America and its NATO allies. They have lied to us many times, made decisions behind our backs, placed us before an accomplished fact, he explained in a speech announcing Russias incorporation of Crimea. They are constantly trying to sweep us into a corner. But now, finally, the era of appeasement is over. Russia found itself in a position it could not retreat from, Putin said. If you compress the spring all the way to its limit, it will snap back hard.
2. Putin is principledso long as those principles enhance national power
For Putin, an anti-Russian government in Kiev is illegitimate regardless of how it takes power. For many American hawks, the same is now true for a pro-Chávez government in Latin America or an Islamist government in the Middle East. ... In the United States, both hawks and doves like to claim that theyre promoting cherished principles like democracy and freedom. The difference is that doves are more willing to acknowledge that these principles can undermine American interests. For most hawks, by contrast, the fight for democratic ideals must serve American power.
3. Putin doesnt understand economic power
This indifference to the economic aspects of statecraft was a defining feature of the Bush administration, where treasury secretaries played a marginal foreign-policy role ... Seeing economics as separate from foreign policy issues is precisely what Clinton decried in the 1990s, and its the weakness in Putins strategy today. But its a weakness that many American hawks share. For decades now, Kristol and McCain have insisted that America relentlessly expand its global military footprint and relentlessly boost its defense budget. Ive never seen either make a serious effort to explain how this should be paid for.
http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2014/03/vladimir-putin-russian-neocon/284602/
1. Putin is obsessed with the threat of appeasement
To Kristol, McCain, and their ilk, the United States is a nation perennially bullied by adversaries who are tougher, nastier, and more resolute than we are. ... In his (Putin's) view, its Russia that has been perennially bullied by tougher and nastier countriesin particular, America and its NATO allies. They have lied to us many times, made decisions behind our backs, placed us before an accomplished fact, he explained in a speech announcing Russias incorporation of Crimea. They are constantly trying to sweep us into a corner. But now, finally, the era of appeasement is over. Russia found itself in a position it could not retreat from, Putin said. If you compress the spring all the way to its limit, it will snap back hard.
2. Putin is principledso long as those principles enhance national power
For Putin, an anti-Russian government in Kiev is illegitimate regardless of how it takes power. For many American hawks, the same is now true for a pro-Chávez government in Latin America or an Islamist government in the Middle East. ... In the United States, both hawks and doves like to claim that theyre promoting cherished principles like democracy and freedom. The difference is that doves are more willing to acknowledge that these principles can undermine American interests. For most hawks, by contrast, the fight for democratic ideals must serve American power.
3. Putin doesnt understand economic power
This indifference to the economic aspects of statecraft was a defining feature of the Bush administration, where treasury secretaries played a marginal foreign-policy role ... Seeing economics as separate from foreign policy issues is precisely what Clinton decried in the 1990s, and its the weakness in Putins strategy today. But its a weakness that many American hawks share. For decades now, Kristol and McCain have insisted that America relentlessly expand its global military footprint and relentlessly boost its defense budget. Ive never seen either make a serious effort to explain how this should be paid for.
http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2014/03/vladimir-putin-russian-neocon/284602/
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I wonder if we'll see these names again as Ukraine's state owned assets are privatized.
pa28
May 2014
#1
and those 'partners' couldn't have found a better tool for the job if they'd tried.
polly7
May 2014
#2
'Yatz' our man, I've forgotten about NATO, although I've posted about it myself. /nt
jakeXT
May 2014
#5
One would assume that if fascists had a significant degree of control in Kiev, European fascists
pampango
May 2014
#9
During his 2010 election campaign Yanukovich said: "Ukraine's integration with the EU remains our
pampango
May 2014
#16
Looks like Svoboda may not be long for the Ukrainian government. Their man is polling at 1.5% with
pampango
May 2014
#46
Speaking of neocons: How Russia's president resembles the American hawks who hate him most
pampango
May 2014
#10
However, saying KievfascistKievfascistKievfascist does seem to do the trick
LanternWaste
May 2014
#20
I get the sense that Putin is going to win this battle, and send our puppets packing.
reformist2
May 2014
#27
Assuming "our" side doesn't relinquish control voluntarily, Putin's involvement will be needed.
reformist2
May 2014
#50
Jack, can you give me that evidence of a western-sponsored coup in Ukraine?
Tommy_Carcetti
May 2014
#30
This thread shows that Victor Yanukoych was forcibly removed from office against his own will?
Tommy_Carcetti
May 2014
#36
Still waiting for you to show me where in your post it says Yanukovych was forcibly removed.
Tommy_Carcetti
May 2014
#40
Actually S&G were partners, then the US sent Omi their long standing operative down to talk to G...
Jesus Malverde
May 2014
#56
Did you hear that Russia has reponded to sanctions by demanding all oil payments be made
malaise
May 2014
#48
All you do is deflect and project. Constantly. Consistently. But you finally admit it.
Tommy_Carcetti
May 2014
#64