miltiades wrote:Since I do not live in Russia I see no need for me to call Putin an idiot !
The fact is that since taking over from Yeltzin the vast majority of Russians are comfortable with his rule. Travel is free anywhere in the world, provided of course they obtain a visa. Before Putin it was extremely hard for any Russian to leave Russia. Frankly I can not fathom out why you hate Putin so much, stating once that you hate him more than you hate Isis.
He is of course correct in feeling threatened by the expansion of NATO in neighbouring countries, quite justifiable in my opinion.
What the world needs in order to maintain peace in the world is understanding and addressing areas likely to inflame passions and even some to be calling for a third World War.
Common sense tells us that were such an event take place it would herald the end of humanity.
Calm down mate, Putin looks after the interests of Russia, indeed as he should do.
That is a very easy question to answer.
Pootin has bought back the Cold War. Things will not be cordial with Russia for a very long time. He would have to be one of the most hated leaders in the world right now. This isn't just because America said so, but because he is being a big pain in the arse and has been threatening everyone from NATO's Eastern flank, to the Baltic States who hate him, to Ukraine and Georgia.
In Syria, he thwarted the Spring for now, and his lap dog is committing War Crimes on a daily basis with his criminal use of Clorine Gas, not to mention Barrel Bombs and cluster munitions.
He has held military exercises with China in the South China Sea. So now he has pissed off South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam, Philipinnes, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia(even more if that is possible) as well as New Zealand. What a way to make friends.
He shot down MH17 and lied about it.
He sent warships to Australia for a dangerous stand off with the entire Australian Navy (Imia style) as he himself was in Brisbane for the G20 which no one else wanted to even speak to him. It was the most awkward G20 in history because he wasn't even given the time of day by the other 19 countries. Again, it's not just America but 18 other countries which actually almost wanted to kill him right there and there. Not a very loved person at all.
Then of course you have the overflights over the Baltic Sea and the airspace violations. These are not actions which indicate to us that he wants to be friends or that we can trust him.
Of course he is pissed about our Missile Shields but naturally, such Defence measures have proven to be a big necessity.
Conditions in Russia is none of our business. The fact he maintains a tight grip is not our issue and neither are we going to fight a war with him over it. There are countries similar to Russia such as Turkey, and Egypt for instance. There are countries that are even much worse than Russia, like Saudi Arabia and North Korea. Again not our issue bar of course North Korea which is an issue for us because of South Korea.
The biggest issues are the war crimes and the transition to peace which of course is going to have to include rebel groups. We are not leaving Syria. Our aircraft will be flying in Syrian Airspace for years. If Pootin wants their withdrawal, then he has to negotiate. Syria with Assad is not a State we can at all recognize or have any formal diplomatic ties with or trade with. For us, Syria's status is no different to the "trnc". It doesn't exist as far as we are concerned in its current format.
So we wait for a possible direct conflict or for our opportunity to take Assad out.
You already have war in Syria. Over 400,000 people have been killed and millions have fled. Who is responsible for these deaths? Is it DAESH or Assad? Let's be frank here and let me help you out. The UN Secretary General Speech 2 days ago was very clear. Once again, not America but the UN Secretary General representing all UN signatories including Russia.
If you want peace and stability then you won't be getting that with the military option. No military solution will be found, because there are millions of angry Sunnis in Syria. If you think we will partake or be a party to Syrian War Crimes then you are wrong. It will never happen.
DAESH was formed in Syria, not Iraq. They came to Iraq and exploited the vacuum but DAESH is a Syrian group. Why did they form? Assad created DAESH and about 50 other armed groups.
We of course were quite happy to sit it out until DAESH stupidly started provoking and poking us. We were happy to see the fall of Assad but we were also worried about who takes over in the aftermath and don't want them to be DAESH or Al Nusra. We support a National Unity platform and are happy for Russia to retain Syria as a client.
So here we are, in Syria, with the Russians. We can stay there for as long as we like you know because Assad and Pootin are just letting us be. Even though we bombed the shit out of Assad's military by myself mistake in his failed State.
You think this is all about America. It's not! You will have to get through dozens of other countries before America can even consider Pootin as a human being!!
You see this is what this alliance is all about. America can't do whatever it wants. It has to consult its allies, and that is us!