[heartwood]

We pushed privatization of state assets in the 90s in a way that helped create the kleptocrats and oligarchs. Putin benefitted but I can’t imagine it endeared us to the common people.

You would think that Russia might see itself as part of the West, standing against Muslim aggression and Chinese expansion.

But for all the aristocrats spoke French, Russia has never seen itself as part of the West but as something apart and deeper. Mother Russia means something to them, even as Putin dilutes it with Muslims.

[freeandfreezing]

You would think that Russia might see itself as part of the West, standing against Muslim aggression and Chinese expansion.

Right now Russian "expansion" seems to be much more of a problem. Georgia, Chechnya, Crimea, and the current attempt to seize Ukraine are much more significant than Chinese efforts to take control of some atolls in the Pacific.