April 16, 2015. Russian President Vladimir Putin, center, answers questions from the public during the annual Direct Line with Vladimir Putin special broadcast live on Russian television and radio. Left: Kirill Kleimenov, head of the Channel One News Directorate. Right: Rossiya TV journalist Maria Sittel (RIA Novosti / Michael Klimentyev) / RIA Novosti
Samuel Bendett, The Compass: Putin: You Can't Scare Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin is feeling confident amid Russia's quick entry into the Syrian civil war and the continuing ground operations by the Russian air force. Speaking recently in Moscow during the celebration of the 2000th anniversary of the city of Derbent in Dagestan, Russia's southern republic in the Caucasus that has seen its share of Islamist-inspired anti-Russian violence, Putin said that "no one has ever been successful so far in scaring the Russian - and Dagestani - people. Trying to do so is absolutely hopeless."
Putin further elaborated that "our goal in Syria, and wherever it may be, is the fight against terrorism. We are ready to cooperate with all forces that are fighting against terrorism, regardless of religious affiliation. As for our internal affairs, much still has to be done for the development of our country. We have, I would say, a unique case, a unique setting for this development - life is such that even those who wanted to interfere with our plans are now helping us because we are forced to focus on our own internal development. What we yesterday easily bought with so-called petrodollars, today we are thinking of how to produce on our own. That would require attention to fundamental and applied sciences, as well as the high-tech industry."
WNU Editor: The biggest fear for Russians has always been to get into a war .... so yes .... you can scare Russia. But is Russian President Putin scared? If his rhetoric is to be believed .... I would have to say no .... he is not scared. But he better be .... getting involved in a mess that is Syria (and others) opens a Pandora's box of possibilities where most of them (if not all of them) will give a disappointing result. And while he may be riding high in Russian approval polls .... this can never last forever, and if the economy continues to degrade and the body-bags from Syria start to come in .... I can guarantee you one thing .... Putin will become afraid ..... afraid (and scared) of the Russian public.