Image Credit: Presidential Press and Information Office/Kremlin.ru
Matthew R. Costlow, The Diplomat: Russia's New Wars: Why Is Putin Picking a Fight?
The assertive Russian leader has laid out his intentions very clearly in his speeches. Will the world listen?
The official state seal of the Russian Federation features a double-headed eagle. One head faces east while the other faces west, indicating Russia is a country with a split identity, both European and Asian. This ancient symbol is also an apt descriptor of recent Russian actions in Ukraine and Syria. After decades decrying U.S. military modernization and intervention overseas, Russian President Vladimir Putin is embarking duplicitously on his own modernization efforts during multiple foreign interventions.
Now the incoming Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, President Obama’s top military advisers, have both called Russia the number one threat America faces. Policy analysts are debating whether further Obama-Putin summits would help or hurt relations.
WNU Editor: I would say that some countries are listening to Putin. China has no problem in understanding Russia's national security priorities .... even while many differences on key issues still exist between the two countries. My guess is that many in the West still hold an idealistic view of the world, and they want to believe that much of the world is in agreement with their ideology and world view. Unfortunately .... history has proven more than once that this not the case. Cultural issues, political priorities, national interests .... many countries have a completely opposite view of what the West believes is important. That is why when the West tries to impose their view .... it usually ends badly. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the conflict in Ukraine .... these are all examples on what happens when a portion of the population feels alienated and/or under threat .... wars and conflicts are the inevitable outcome, and the reason why the West is targeted because they are viewed as the outsider interfering in their internal affairs. I have always been an advocate that we in the West should debate and define our national security priorities .... and in turn we should also understand the priorities of other countries and governments. This has been lacking .... especially in Washington since the end of the Cold War. During the Cold War U.S. foreign policy was very easy to understand. We do not care what you do within your own country .... just do not invade/interfere in the affairs of other countries .... especially if they are allied with us. Today .... in a certain way .... that is now Putin's policy.