Unfortunately, absent from the agenda will be any discussion of the domestic factors that lie at the root of Russia's recent foreign policy maneuvers: namely, Putin's growing accommodation of terror at the expense of Russian democracy and the safety of its own citizens. A week before the Hamas delegation's visit to the Russian capital, the Russian authorities closed two regional newspapers--Gorodskie Vesti in Volgograd and Nash Region in Vologda--for printing the Danish Mohammad cartoons.Not to mention Putin's revival of state control of industry, elimination of significant amounts of private property, destruction of the capital of Chechnya, sale of modern fighter jets to Venezuela, opposition to the liberation of Iraq...
"Not to mention Putin's revival of state control of industry, elimination of significant amounts of private property, destruction of the capital of Chechnya, sale of modern fighter jets to Venezuela, opposition to the liberation of Iraq."
SunkenCiv, those statements are partially correct and based on the misinformation in the MSM.
1.) State control of industry: Some truth to this statement, but, the portion of industries that were wrested away from private hands were portions that had oligarchs in charge who were a.) not paying taxes, b.) spiriting away all the wealth overseas, c.) involved in criminal activities [including murder], and d.) obtained illegally under Yeltsin's kleptocracy.
2.) Elimination of private property: What exactly? Under Putin Russians AND foreigners can now own not only apartments and houses, BUT, the land on which said properties sit. A first for modern Russia
3.)Destruction of Groznyj (Capital of Chechnya): True, but the Chechens, under the influence of Wahaabiism, thumbed their noses at the peace treaty they signed (brokered by Gen. Alexandr Lebed) and attacked Russia. They were making Groznyj their base - what would you have done were you in command? (Think Fallujah)
4.) Sale of modern fighters to Chavezistan: No argument there. They're letting their desire for the $$$$ that arms sales bring overrule the inroads the US and Russia made after Sept 11.
5.) Opposition to the Liberation of Iraq: Not exactly. They agreed Sadam had to go, but disagreed by what means.