I've participated and am involved in a number of de-colonization efforts regarding RU for several years. It's slow but will begin to happen as the center rots and weakens
Predictably, much of this comes as a surprise to most westerners (including "experts") because - just like the fall of the USSR - they never knew (or even imagined) what was going on behind the closed doors. The US in particular seems always lagging behind events rather than anticipating them based on the kind of information that you have and the ability to "think outside the box". Remember it was George Bush Sr. who acknowledged (despite his years as head of the CIA) that he had no clue just how primitive and impoverished the USSR was until the Iron Curtain came down. And then -once again demonstrating how shallow American understanding of the forces they are up against really is- he went to Kyiv and urged Ukrainians to accept Moscow's authority and not seek independence.
The same shallowness can be observed by kindly, good natured Republican Trump supporters. Trump has had a long and profitable relationship with Russia and Russian oligarchs and he is determined to do everything he can to accommodate Putin and help Russia gain strength. The kindest comment that I can make about him is that he is a useful idiot par excellence and I reserve the right to think that he is even more of a danger than that. But the kindly, God fearing, law abiding, patriotic Trump supporter with his MAGA hat will have none of it......he will follow that pied piper until he reaches the edge of the precipice and looks down. But it will be too late.
You may have overlooked, Diane, that the head of Ukrainian intelligence has been predicting that much of what is now the Russian federation - including almost all of the area east of the Urals and much of the area around the Caspian sea will split from Russia and, in fact, the Ukrainian government has sponsored meetings in which representatives of the minority groups (though actually majorities in the sparsely populated areas) have come together and found common voice in seeking independence. It makes no sense for a nation of app.100+ million people to "govern" 12% of the earth's surface area. They took it by force with superior military logistics from more backward indigenous populations, exploited them fully, murdered countless numbers, and now the fat lady is beginning to sing.
I could be mistaken, but I believe that Putin's religious preferences are just a con to gain support in such groups as Western conservatives. It is great that the Russian confederation may fall apart but I don't see the rise of Islam as a plus.
Excellent as usual and it's good news because Putin has been interfering in so many countries; either killing people or robbing them of their riches (money and/or natural resources). When politicians and/or authoritarians like Putin start mixing politics with religion and assaulting ethnic groups, you're bound to start regional wars. Now he's fighting on many fronts, like complex guerrilla warfare. Maybe the genie is out of the bottle?
Sooner - the operative word - Russia must fall sooner - it's like a cancer - great info Diane. I saw a movie about Syria - young sisters who escaped, parents WELL educated were killed, then Russia came in a mowed their country down like they are doing to UKR.
Most recently, the political world has brought into my imagery concerns about the police state vs a more open and inclusive style of government. This Struggle, on a small scale, is way old but it has now moved away from being a local repercussion to one that will change the entire globe. Fed into this, is a general worry most likely shared by others. The worry is about the effect that newly invented electronic control mechanisms will have upon everyone's well being and why? The United States is in a never before struggle and to me, there does not seem to be entrenched mechanisms within the system to deal with betrayal and the use of freedom against itself. Even the rule of law and big money are being used to destruct the order so if the US goes stiff, there go I and others. It is naive to think we can remain untouched should their failure complete itself. This is ultimately about our environment both internal and all outside of every individual. Voting by party is to pretend you care but that habit must be laid to rest for a while until the party bash stops breaking up the furniture so they can sell the dwelling. .... Putin is sitting on a block of ice where his own body heat helps the melt. It is only a question of time.
Where is China's interest in the event that a number of the eastern Turkic Muslim oriented republics try to go independent? Surely they will be ready to intervene if the opportunity arises?
Whilst not condoning the terrorist acts that took place in Moscow, perhaps if Russians look at at what has been done in their name in Syria, Afghanistan, Africa etc then they may come to understand why terrorist acts are taking place in Russia.
Perhaps if Putin wants more recruits, he should ask for volunteers from his own (rather large) internal security forces, rather than ask for volunteers or otherwise from the far flung regions of Russia. In fact why not conscript the forces that he needs to fight in Ukraine from Russia's internal security forces and whilst he is at it, conscript/enlist the sons and daughters of Russian elites... see how long the war lasts then.
I've participated and am involved in a number of de-colonization efforts regarding RU for several years. It's slow but will begin to happen as the center rots and weakens
Predictably, much of this comes as a surprise to most westerners (including "experts") because - just like the fall of the USSR - they never knew (or even imagined) what was going on behind the closed doors. The US in particular seems always lagging behind events rather than anticipating them based on the kind of information that you have and the ability to "think outside the box". Remember it was George Bush Sr. who acknowledged (despite his years as head of the CIA) that he had no clue just how primitive and impoverished the USSR was until the Iron Curtain came down. And then -once again demonstrating how shallow American understanding of the forces they are up against really is- he went to Kyiv and urged Ukrainians to accept Moscow's authority and not seek independence.
The same shallowness can be observed by kindly, good natured Republican Trump supporters. Trump has had a long and profitable relationship with Russia and Russian oligarchs and he is determined to do everything he can to accommodate Putin and help Russia gain strength. The kindest comment that I can make about him is that he is a useful idiot par excellence and I reserve the right to think that he is even more of a danger than that. But the kindly, God fearing, law abiding, patriotic Trump supporter with his MAGA hat will have none of it......he will follow that pied piper until he reaches the edge of the precipice and looks down. But it will be too late.
You may have overlooked, Diane, that the head of Ukrainian intelligence has been predicting that much of what is now the Russian federation - including almost all of the area east of the Urals and much of the area around the Caspian sea will split from Russia and, in fact, the Ukrainian government has sponsored meetings in which representatives of the minority groups (though actually majorities in the sparsely populated areas) have come together and found common voice in seeking independence. It makes no sense for a nation of app.100+ million people to "govern" 12% of the earth's surface area. They took it by force with superior military logistics from more backward indigenous populations, exploited them fully, murdered countless numbers, and now the fat lady is beginning to sing.
I could be mistaken, but I believe that Putin's religious preferences are just a con to gain support in such groups as Western conservatives. It is great that the Russian confederation may fall apart but I don't see the rise of Islam as a plus.
the rise of extremism, not Islam per se, is the concern. the religon has existed for millennia -
Excellent thank you
Excellent as usual and it's good news because Putin has been interfering in so many countries; either killing people or robbing them of their riches (money and/or natural resources). When politicians and/or authoritarians like Putin start mixing politics with religion and assaulting ethnic groups, you're bound to start regional wars. Now he's fighting on many fronts, like complex guerrilla warfare. Maybe the genie is out of the bottle?
Excellent report Diane. Thank
you for keeping our eyes open.
Sooner - the operative word - Russia must fall sooner - it's like a cancer - great info Diane. I saw a movie about Syria - young sisters who escaped, parents WELL educated were killed, then Russia came in a mowed their country down like they are doing to UKR.
Most recently, the political world has brought into my imagery concerns about the police state vs a more open and inclusive style of government. This Struggle, on a small scale, is way old but it has now moved away from being a local repercussion to one that will change the entire globe. Fed into this, is a general worry most likely shared by others. The worry is about the effect that newly invented electronic control mechanisms will have upon everyone's well being and why? The United States is in a never before struggle and to me, there does not seem to be entrenched mechanisms within the system to deal with betrayal and the use of freedom against itself. Even the rule of law and big money are being used to destruct the order so if the US goes stiff, there go I and others. It is naive to think we can remain untouched should their failure complete itself. This is ultimately about our environment both internal and all outside of every individual. Voting by party is to pretend you care but that habit must be laid to rest for a while until the party bash stops breaking up the furniture so they can sell the dwelling. .... Putin is sitting on a block of ice where his own body heat helps the melt. It is only a question of time.
Where is China's interest in the event that a number of the eastern Turkic Muslim oriented republics try to go independent? Surely they will be ready to intervene if the opportunity arises?
Agree 100%.
Excellent analysis and report. I shared it.
Whilst not condoning the terrorist acts that took place in Moscow, perhaps if Russians look at at what has been done in their name in Syria, Afghanistan, Africa etc then they may come to understand why terrorist acts are taking place in Russia.
Perhaps if Putin wants more recruits, he should ask for volunteers from his own (rather large) internal security forces, rather than ask for volunteers or otherwise from the far flung regions of Russia. In fact why not conscript the forces that he needs to fight in Ukraine from Russia's internal security forces and whilst he is at it, conscript/enlist the sons and daughters of Russian elites... see how long the war lasts then.