SHOULD Putin help us against Islamism? Certainly. The U.S. is far less of a threat to Russia than the Muslim fanatics who are encroaching on their southern borders. We have a common interest in controlling these fanatics.
WILL Putin help us against Islamism? Of course not. For about a year he did grudgingly lend Bush a hand by allowing us to use facilities that made it possible to drive out the Taliban from Afghanistan. But even then he continued to help Saddam and arm Iran, and he soon withdrew his support for our presence in his satellite states.
It has been clear for some time that Putin hates and resents us, and would rather destroy Russia than work with us. As a result, Russia will probably fall. Marc Steyn makes an excellent case for it in his recent book.
Putin is intent on building up the Russian Kleptocracy and enriching himself and his friends. He is intent on building up immediate power. He seems to be ignoring completely the larger threats to to survival of Russia, which are: 1) Islam; 2) China; 3) Demographic implosion.
Nary a sign that he might wise up, change course, and act for the long run survival of Russia. Over the years, Russia has shown incredible energy in its people and incredible stupidity in its leaders. Now it seems as if those leaders will finally succeed in destroying their people.
Or maybe he is rather afraid that Russia could share the fate of Serbia?
Putin is intent on building up the Russian Kleptocracy and enriching himself and his friends.
I think you are confusing him with Yeltsin.
Good analysis. As a Russian, I agree with most of it.
It has been clear for some time that Putin hates and resents us, and would rather destroy Russia than work with us.
Reminds me of a Russian joke:
Two Russian farmers hated each other with a hatred that was intense and had gone on for many years.
One day, one of the farmers was ploughing his field and he unearthed a lamp, which, upon closer inspection, yeilded up a Genie.
The Genie said to the farmer: "You can have one wish. You can wish for anything you want. If you want a huge mansion, I will give you a huge mansion. If you want a wagon-load of gold, I will give you that. And if you wish for the most beautiful woman in the world to be your wife, I will give you a woman that will amaze your eyes and delight you for the rest of your life. But there is one catch."
The farmer, of course, was ecstatic and began to think of which of the many possible treasures he should wish for. But that last phrase caught his attention and he said: "What's the catch?"
"The catch is," said the Genie, "that whatever you wish for, I will give you, but I will also give your neighbor double. If I give you a mansion, I will give him two mansions. If I give you a wagon-load of gold, he gets double that. And if you get the most beautiful woman in the world for your wife, he will have two women, of equal beauty."
So the farmer thought and thought, and finally he came up with a wish:
"Pluck out one of my eyes!"