How the Soviets Gave the Mullahs the Bomb

FrontPage Magazine ^ | 23 AUGUST 2006 | Jamie Glazov

[banjo joe]

Alas, no curtain ever fell. It was only moved to a position further backwards and deep into the dark shades of backstage.

The most disturbing quote.

[alrea]

ominous parallels between modern day Iran and Germany in about 1939

Germany had an advanced army and superior technology while Iran is still trying to find their butts with both hands.

[GeorgefromGeorgia]

I agree with your statement that Russia is basically a European country. After saying that, I would also say that Russia is less European than countries farther to the West like Poland and other Slavic countries. One historical factor that retarded Russia's Europeanism was its domination by the Mongols for centuries. Peter the Great did much to drag Russia to the West, but Bolshevism further retarded its natural growth. Collectivism is antithetical to individualism, and many Russians still would rather have a strong figure running their country than the pluralistic system (individualistic) that we have in the West.

[nuconvert]

"In Eastern Germany there were several educational institutions teaching courses in all sorts of engineering."

This is the second time this week I've read about engineers being recruited as jihadists or vice versa.

[nuconvert]

pong

[KitJ]

bump

[CarolinaGOP]

Ping for later reading.

[gaspar]

In 1990 the CIA issued a report that predicted Iran would manufacture the bomb by the year 2000. (I know, I know CIA predictions are taken with a large dose of salt.)

It is interesting that this analyst finds that "Russia belongs to the oriental world." It is a claim the Slavophiles on FR fight tooth and nail.

[Lurker]

Wrong and wrong.

L

[Gritty]

I am personally convinced that Iran quickly managed to duplicate the bombs and that their only obstacle was to produce sufficient quantities of enriched uranium or other substances for their bombs

If so, they may have already produced a large number of them, giving themselves the ability to deal a much more devastating and widespread blow than with only one or two detonations. Think: "scores" of detonations? But, this would still require a lot of nuclear fuel. However, as the years dwindle by we are giving them ample time to produce it.

I wonder if this is why President Bush has looked so haggard and preoccupied lately? Have we passed some point of no return and they are rapidly filling their warheads?

[pppp]

Russia haven't been dominated by Mongols for centuries!!! Mongols had their 15 minuted of fame in XIII or XIV century, they move like a wild fire through most of the Europe, but they didn't manage to create their own stable kingdom here. I know nothing about they controlling Russia. If it happened, it had to be very short-lasting episode. Culture of Russia which has distinctly Eastern flavor was shaped by Byzantium. At the beginning of Russian state, the ruling dynasty [the descenders of Scandinavian conquerers] decided to convert their country to Christianity [for political reasons, I assume] and to accept the Christian faith from Byzantium. The Russian religious art still resembles the art of the late Eastern Roman Empire.

Your description of Russian people doesn't match what I've seen. People in Latin America also prefer to have a strong leader and according to opinion polls don't Care much about democracy. However nobody have described them as collectivists or clan people. The same is with Russia. Believe me Russians are very individualistic people with high disregard for people in power. They simply view their government as the fifth element, they can't control. It has nothing to do with collectivism, it's a kind of fatalistic approach. Russians by large simply refuse to participate in political life, however during private events after emptying a few bottles they voice a lot complains.

[Valin]

He affirms that, through his experience, he learned of the many ways in which the Soviet system trained the Islamist enemy we now face in the terror war.

The Terror Network
Claire Sterling
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0030506611

[The Sons of Liberty]

We can only hope [and pray] that the russkies are the first to "experience" any iranian nuclear capability.

[varon]

"I am convinced that Israel suddenly pulled out of their invasion of Lebanon long before accomplishing their stated goals simply and solely due to the threats from Iran. Israel finally realized that America was not in a position to make any pre-emptive strike against Iranian nuclear facilities."

[SJackson]

If you'd like to be on this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.

High volume. Articles on Israel can also be found by clicking on the Topic or Keyword Israel. also

2006israelwar or WOT

..................

[GeorgefromGeorgia]

The Mongols controlled Russia for three hundred years. I realize that control ended five hundred years ago, but there was an influence (NON-European). You are right about Byzantium's influence, since many Varengians (Russians) fought as mercenaries for the Byzantine Empire. Of course Orthodox Christianity was transmitted to Russia through Byzantium.
My experience with Russians was more focused on their politics. I did not mean to disparage the Russian People. I happen to think Russian Music and Literature is the finest in the World.
What I see in terms of politics is either an apolitical attitude (I presume a conditioned response to living under an authorization government that punished any one that disagreed with the official line) or a tendency to accept there fate (politically). In America, UK and other Western Countries, people have had either decades or centuries of individual freedom of expression and participation in government. The fatalistic or apolitical approach is vastly smaller in the West.

Russians may be more individualistic in nonpolitical matters, but I expect it will take some time for the current situation to change.

I will say that Russia does not compare with the fatalism of third world countries or the Muslim World. The old saying in the Muslim World "It is written," describes that more extreme fatalism for a persons entire life.

[pppp]

I've checked your information. The Mongols' control over Russia was limited to the ability to impose sort of taxation. At that time Russia was ruled by its own princes. It certainly wasn't occupation-like presence so the influences were limited but certainly present. However I wouldn't overestimate them.
I would like to emphasize one thing. Apolitical and fatalistic attitude of Russian people has more to do with European [I mean current white European political culture] than with the strong tribal bonds shaping the life of people in most African and Middle East countries. To understand Russia you have to know this. Russians are as likely to defend their country and rebel as white Europeans, they feel as disconnected with their state as white Europeans, they have the same demanding attitude towards nanny state as Europeans. They don't have any desire to rebuild their country, they simply want [a mean the more energetic ones ] to move to a better place, as white Europeans increasingly do. Russia is an European country all right.
In Africa and Middle East people have stronger bonds with their tribe or clan than with their state. They consider themselves a part of the tribe first and an individual latter. For some of them the existence of the state is completely irrelevant. You don't find this kind of attitude in European part of Russia. Maybe in a remote province.....

[Convert from ECUSA]

Ping!

[GodGunsGuts]

You might also want to take a look at the following. Both articles definitely compliment each other!

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1680306/posts