When I was growing up, it was made obvious that the world could be plunged into a nuclear war with the Soviet Union at a moment's notice. I'm sure this had some psychological impact -- it certainly drew my attention early to history and world affairs.
Today, post-Soviet Union, Russia is the "rump state" of the former empire, as Turkey is to the Ottoman Empire that collapsed during the First World War. Since 2000, Vladimir Putin (b. Leningrad, 10/7/1952) has been the elected autocrat in charge; he also served as acting president in 1999. The former KGB and FSB (Federal Security Service) G-man is supposed to leave office in 2008, before G.W. Bush leaves office in the USA -- unless the Russian Constitution is changed to allow a third term (or a permanent term).
It was hoped in the late 1980s by many to see, by this time, a truly free Russian society, but free speech and a free press are not high on Putin's agenda. The Russians themselves are accostomed to autocracy -- centuries of it without much let up, in fact. A strong man in charge seems like a strong vodka, expected by most Russians.
Putin is wily enough to have made a loose partnership with the West, bringing Russia into the G8 and "helping" in the War on Terror. Russian critics of his policies, including military conduct under his regime during the Second Chechen War (Chechnya, 1999-present), have been mysteriously assassinated or driven underground.
Professional hitmen are willing to go to such high profile locales as London to carry out their work. This also has a long tradition. Josef Stalin, for example, had his rival Leon Trotsky tracked down in Mexico and stabbed to death with an ice pick in 1940. The assassination of Alexander Litvinenko in London recently involved not an ice pick, but radioactive polonium-210 poisoning. As with a Mob hit, it was probably as much intended to send out a clear message to critics as it was an act of silencing and revenge against one man.
In any case, Russia has a lot of oil and other natural resources and Putin and friends mean to use it to strengthen their hand. A recent issue of The Economist (December 16th-22nd 2006) contains enlightening articles about this and more. The cover, pictured above, reads: "Don't mess with Russia." Apparently, like the Hotel California, you can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave.
Today's Rune: Inititation.
Do svidanja
3 comments:
And to think my parents and grandparents went to Russia on vacation once. As far as I'm concerned Vladimir Putin and "The Shrub" are both dangerous men. One directly, and the other, perhaps indirectly. I can't help thinking about a rock song where the singer sings, "I'm radio active." Was the singer the former vocalist for Bad Company? I'm not sure.
I love that Bond song.
That is some picture. I like your blog.
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