Challenges We Face
Issue 1
Russia and the Second Cold War
Issue 1
Russia and the Second Cold War
On December 8th, 1991, the World breathed a sigh of relief as the Communist juggernaut, the Soviet Union, officially died. The Soviet Union had been involved in a "Cold War" with the West (America, Britain, Canada, and others) since 1947, and the death of the Soviet Union allowed people who once feared nuclear destruction to live in peace.
However, the Cold War had not ended. It had simply evolved (or devolved, depending on personal opinion) into Phase 2.
In place of the old Soviet Union was the CIS, or Commonwealth of Independent States. In reality, they weren't very independent; the old Russian hierarchy still controlled most of the ex-Soviet states.
At the head of the new "Russian Republic" was Boris Yeltsin. Mr. Yeltsin was a rather chubby fellow who drunk so much that even a Sailor would cringe. That said Yeltsin was considered the savior to the West; he was Christ to nations who suspected Russian foul-play in the ex-Soviet sphere. In reality, Yeltsin, while having good intentions, was a pretty sloppy president. He was good friends with President Bill Clinton, which begs me to ask; did they share interns?
Following ol' Boris' decision to leave the presidency due to poor health, he picked Vladimir Putin as his successor. I have to question the man's sanity. Yeltsin risked his life in 1991 to bring about the coup that brought down the Soviet Union. He risked his life and the lives of countless supporters. Now he decides it's a bright idea to pick a major in the now-defunct (although not unofficially dead by any means) KGB? Brilliant idea, Boris. Let's pick a guy who loved Communism and fully supported it to lead the new fledgling Russian democracy.
Putin took over in 1999 and was elected to a full term in 2000. Putin is a suspicious fellow; as an ex-KGB Operative, Putin knows how to play his opponents. Putin began a slow, yet not entirely hidden restructuring of Russian laws. Every year, Russia's freedoms slowly crumble, fading into the nothingness of old Soviet rule. It's a slow process; Putin can't get "caught" (everyone with half a brain knows he's doing it, but this is Bush and other Western leaders we're talking about) lest he get criticism from his "allies" and his people. Still, the man is a great poker player; he knows how to fool people.
Russia, under Putin, has sold Iran nuclear technology over the past few years. That's pretty much common knowledge, although Putin still won't come out and say it. He hints, but he knows better than to say it. Even President Bush, the most hopelessly idealistic fellow who's had the White-House in over a generation could turn his back on Putin if Putin officially said Russia was supplying Iran with the technology to build a nuclear weapon.
Unlike old Poland or East Germany, Iran is pretty independent and must pay Russia. Naturally, the backwards Persian nation can't afford the technology it's buying. It's the only country I can think of with enough oil to supply itself for over 2 centuries, yet has to ration gasoline out to its people. Iran can't pay, Russia is ticked naturally. Fortunately for the Iranians, Putin is playing them as his trump card against the United States in the Middle East. He can't very well try invading (that worked wonderfully last time) so why not have a proxy do it for you? Granted, he probably knows Iran would turn on him in an instant if all other nations were conquered, but this is Putin. He's smart, but shortsighted.
Russia is also playing cards in the Americas. Not only does the house that Putin built still keep relations with Cuba (will Castro ever die?) but they're reaching out to Venesuala, who is more than happy to oblige. It's ok that roughly 2/3s of the population live in extreme poverty, but yet the country can come up with the money to buy defensive missiles from ol' Putin. Doesn't make much sense, but the fact is that Putin wants to extend Russian influence into the region. Like Egypt in the 1960's, Mr. Chavez doesn't realize he's being played. Eventually, a sensible president will get in power here in the States and deal with Chavez. When that happens, Russia will turn its back on Venesuala because it doesn't really need them. They are like Escalades, very nice, but not a requirement.
Even Europe isn't spared Russia's craziness. President Bush decides to put up a defensive missile network through Poland and Czechoslovakia and suddenly its World War III. Forget the fact that the system isn't even designed to counter Russian ICBMs (which would simply walk on through unimpeded) or that the system could protect Russia from Iran (which Putin is either ignoring the threats or is just stupid). It's a freakin' defense system. It isn't like Poland is asking the US to deploy Titan missiles in its borders.
But, Putin knows that a missile defense system, despite being rather useless against his ICBM arsenal, is still an impediment on Russia's plans to take back Eastern Europe. People say it can't happen, but it will. It's a matter of when.
As of now, Russia is economically too weak to maintain its old Soviet foreign policies. It does have a stockpile of ICBMs to play, but in terms of other military items, it's sorely lacking numerical value. Their weapons are great, but they're economy is still recovering.
But, when they are ready, they will move. The fact is this; will America and the West be ready?
However, the Cold War had not ended. It had simply evolved (or devolved, depending on personal opinion) into Phase 2.
In place of the old Soviet Union was the CIS, or Commonwealth of Independent States. In reality, they weren't very independent; the old Russian hierarchy still controlled most of the ex-Soviet states.
At the head of the new "Russian Republic" was Boris Yeltsin. Mr. Yeltsin was a rather chubby fellow who drunk so much that even a Sailor would cringe. That said Yeltsin was considered the savior to the West; he was Christ to nations who suspected Russian foul-play in the ex-Soviet sphere. In reality, Yeltsin, while having good intentions, was a pretty sloppy president. He was good friends with President Bill Clinton, which begs me to ask; did they share interns?
Following ol' Boris' decision to leave the presidency due to poor health, he picked Vladimir Putin as his successor. I have to question the man's sanity. Yeltsin risked his life in 1991 to bring about the coup that brought down the Soviet Union. He risked his life and the lives of countless supporters. Now he decides it's a bright idea to pick a major in the now-defunct (although not unofficially dead by any means) KGB? Brilliant idea, Boris. Let's pick a guy who loved Communism and fully supported it to lead the new fledgling Russian democracy.
Putin took over in 1999 and was elected to a full term in 2000. Putin is a suspicious fellow; as an ex-KGB Operative, Putin knows how to play his opponents. Putin began a slow, yet not entirely hidden restructuring of Russian laws. Every year, Russia's freedoms slowly crumble, fading into the nothingness of old Soviet rule. It's a slow process; Putin can't get "caught" (everyone with half a brain knows he's doing it, but this is Bush and other Western leaders we're talking about) lest he get criticism from his "allies" and his people. Still, the man is a great poker player; he knows how to fool people.
Russia, under Putin, has sold Iran nuclear technology over the past few years. That's pretty much common knowledge, although Putin still won't come out and say it. He hints, but he knows better than to say it. Even President Bush, the most hopelessly idealistic fellow who's had the White-House in over a generation could turn his back on Putin if Putin officially said Russia was supplying Iran with the technology to build a nuclear weapon.
Unlike old Poland or East Germany, Iran is pretty independent and must pay Russia. Naturally, the backwards Persian nation can't afford the technology it's buying. It's the only country I can think of with enough oil to supply itself for over 2 centuries, yet has to ration gasoline out to its people. Iran can't pay, Russia is ticked naturally. Fortunately for the Iranians, Putin is playing them as his trump card against the United States in the Middle East. He can't very well try invading (that worked wonderfully last time) so why not have a proxy do it for you? Granted, he probably knows Iran would turn on him in an instant if all other nations were conquered, but this is Putin. He's smart, but shortsighted.
Russia is also playing cards in the Americas. Not only does the house that Putin built still keep relations with Cuba (will Castro ever die?) but they're reaching out to Venesuala, who is more than happy to oblige. It's ok that roughly 2/3s of the population live in extreme poverty, but yet the country can come up with the money to buy defensive missiles from ol' Putin. Doesn't make much sense, but the fact is that Putin wants to extend Russian influence into the region. Like Egypt in the 1960's, Mr. Chavez doesn't realize he's being played. Eventually, a sensible president will get in power here in the States and deal with Chavez. When that happens, Russia will turn its back on Venesuala because it doesn't really need them. They are like Escalades, very nice, but not a requirement.
Even Europe isn't spared Russia's craziness. President Bush decides to put up a defensive missile network through Poland and Czechoslovakia and suddenly its World War III. Forget the fact that the system isn't even designed to counter Russian ICBMs (which would simply walk on through unimpeded) or that the system could protect Russia from Iran (which Putin is either ignoring the threats or is just stupid). It's a freakin' defense system. It isn't like Poland is asking the US to deploy Titan missiles in its borders.
But, Putin knows that a missile defense system, despite being rather useless against his ICBM arsenal, is still an impediment on Russia's plans to take back Eastern Europe. People say it can't happen, but it will. It's a matter of when.
As of now, Russia is economically too weak to maintain its old Soviet foreign policies. It does have a stockpile of ICBMs to play, but in terms of other military items, it's sorely lacking numerical value. Their weapons are great, but they're economy is still recovering.
But, when they are ready, they will move. The fact is this; will America and the West be ready?
