© all rights reserved 2011
FOREIGN POLICY / DIPLOMACY
Russia has diplomatic relations with the majority of the world’s
countries, a residual of its former super-power status and its belief that its
large geographical size (regardless of population density) commands
respect, regardless. (*KEY*) It should never be forgotten that Russia
NEVER wants the world to forget/de-prioritize the role Russia played in
World War 2, after which Russia became a super-power. Russia today
perceives itself and wants the world to perceive it as a comprehensive
(that is economic, diplomatic, monetary, cultural/intellectual, and
capitalistic besides nuclear) super-power, even though Russia lost most
of those then-conscripted attributes after 1991. Still, Russia’s leaders
partake in world affairs as if the USSR still existed. Russia also fully
indulges in world organizations which operate on agreed-on laws and
protocols, even though domestically it doesn’t use the concepts of law in
remotely similar ways. Russia will address the international community
directly regarding foreign policy but NEVER its own people regarding
same, as the people know that they have no voice to react/respond. The
complete disappearance of functional domestic law serving the masses
has become more evident and publicized and as a result, the world
community doesn’t pay nearly as much heed to the comments and
speeches of Russian leadership, as they don’t reflect uniformity of policy
between leaders and led. Medvedev, it can be seen in his eyes, wants to
look West, but he is alone. Putin and Lavrov are strictly Eastern
“archers” in perspective. These leaders expect to command international
respect and credibility via their self-imposed domestic stature and
selected weapons sales, rather than to earn it via an engaging,
comprehensive multi-faceted foreign policy---as a result, Russia’s stature
keeps falling, just like its overall population statistic; 30 % of the entire
population (including middle class) wants to leave. Russia’s people and
much of the world outside cannot engage Russia’s leadership. But there
are exceptions. Here are a few:
1) Iran, the one absolutist Religious dictatorship in the world. (*KEY*)
Russia has always, historically, sought to control the Persian Gulf region,
even before oil was discovered there. (*KEY*) When considering The
USSR’s/Russia’s long term policy with the geographically near Middle
east and Central Asia, the plan has always been to supply weapons (and,
on occasion, nuclear technology) on credit in exchange for absolute
control of the rights to future natural resource development, regardless of
dictatorship style. Unfortunately for The USSR/Russia, this has always
been a fantasy because there has always been a complete lack of hard
capital, labor, and technical/material resources necessary for developing
oil and gas, particularly. Timing isn’t important here, as long as the
Russian-subsidized dictatorship remains in power. The lack of
transparency in Iran’s nuclear program, combined with its
uncoordinated/uncontrolled (involving Russia) additional nuclear inputs
from N. Korea and Pakistan, primarily, have considerably weakened
Russia on the world nuclear stage. Though Russia and Iran remain
allied, Russia is correctly being perceived as having lost control there
when trying to play to its previous strengths.
2) Venezuela, the most recent of the dictatorship-under-the-guise-of-
Socialism regimes, being less than 20 years old. Russia and
Venezuela’s socialist leader, Chavez, see eye-to-eye on almost
everything, although it is most awkward for Russia to play 2nd-fiddle in
terms of promoting their bond---this is why Chavez is never seen with
Putin and only with Medvedev. Because of its geographical isolation,
Russia won’t play any significant role in developing Venezuela’s Socialist
command economy or still-latent natural resources, but weapons can be
sold there; this income won’t even have the tiniest effect on Russia’s
GNP and will be more than offset by negative publicity in the capitalist
world. (*KEY*) Like many 3rd-world countries, regardless of government,
Venezuela is playing its China-card to the detriment of Russian influence.
3) North Korea, the world's only living link to Stalinism AND ancient
history. Joseph Stalin ruled the USSR between 1929-1953. North Korea
was founded in 1948, about the same time as The Peoples' Republic of
China. Both founders admired Stalin and his methods greatly. Both used
great force to conscript their nations. While China has adapted
considerably since then, North Korea hasn't progressed at all. This is
because of 2 main factors: 1) North Korea is a unique hybrid slope-
dweller/agrarian place ruled not only by a Stalinist but also a Mongolian-
descended steppe hunter/gatherer---an ancient historical type which
doesn't exist in our modern world. 2) There have been long historical
links between Russia/USSR and Japan, with the former always
supporting/subsidizing the latter's subjugation of Korea. Russia had
previously sought control of Korea itself beginning in the early 1900's,
countries, a residual of its former super-power status and its belief that its
large geographical size (regardless of population density) commands
respect, regardless. (*KEY*) It should never be forgotten that Russia
NEVER wants the world to forget/de-prioritize the role Russia played in
World War 2, after which Russia became a super-power. Russia today
perceives itself and wants the world to perceive it as a comprehensive
(that is economic, diplomatic, monetary, cultural/intellectual, and
capitalistic besides nuclear) super-power, even though Russia lost most
of those then-conscripted attributes after 1991. Still, Russia’s leaders
partake in world affairs as if the USSR still existed. Russia also fully
indulges in world organizations which operate on agreed-on laws and
protocols, even though domestically it doesn’t use the concepts of law in
remotely similar ways. Russia will address the international community
directly regarding foreign policy but NEVER its own people regarding
same, as the people know that they have no voice to react/respond. The
complete disappearance of functional domestic law serving the masses
has become more evident and publicized and as a result, the world
community doesn’t pay nearly as much heed to the comments and
speeches of Russian leadership, as they don’t reflect uniformity of policy
between leaders and led. Medvedev, it can be seen in his eyes, wants to
look West, but he is alone. Putin and Lavrov are strictly Eastern
“archers” in perspective. These leaders expect to command international
respect and credibility via their self-imposed domestic stature and
selected weapons sales, rather than to earn it via an engaging,
comprehensive multi-faceted foreign policy---as a result, Russia’s stature
keeps falling, just like its overall population statistic; 30 % of the entire
population (including middle class) wants to leave. Russia’s people and
much of the world outside cannot engage Russia’s leadership. But there
are exceptions. Here are a few:
1) Iran, the one absolutist Religious dictatorship in the world. (*KEY*)
Russia has always, historically, sought to control the Persian Gulf region,
even before oil was discovered there. (*KEY*) When considering The
USSR’s/Russia’s long term policy with the geographically near Middle
east and Central Asia, the plan has always been to supply weapons (and,
on occasion, nuclear technology) on credit in exchange for absolute
control of the rights to future natural resource development, regardless of
dictatorship style. Unfortunately for The USSR/Russia, this has always
been a fantasy because there has always been a complete lack of hard
capital, labor, and technical/material resources necessary for developing
oil and gas, particularly. Timing isn’t important here, as long as the
Russian-subsidized dictatorship remains in power. The lack of
transparency in Iran’s nuclear program, combined with its
uncoordinated/uncontrolled (involving Russia) additional nuclear inputs
from N. Korea and Pakistan, primarily, have considerably weakened
Russia on the world nuclear stage. Though Russia and Iran remain
allied, Russia is correctly being perceived as having lost control there
when trying to play to its previous strengths.
2) Venezuela, the most recent of the dictatorship-under-the-guise-of-
Socialism regimes, being less than 20 years old. Russia and
Venezuela’s socialist leader, Chavez, see eye-to-eye on almost
everything, although it is most awkward for Russia to play 2nd-fiddle in
terms of promoting their bond---this is why Chavez is never seen with
Putin and only with Medvedev. Because of its geographical isolation,
Russia won’t play any significant role in developing Venezuela’s Socialist
command economy or still-latent natural resources, but weapons can be
sold there; this income won’t even have the tiniest effect on Russia’s
GNP and will be more than offset by negative publicity in the capitalist
world. (*KEY*) Like many 3rd-world countries, regardless of government,
Venezuela is playing its China-card to the detriment of Russian influence.
3) North Korea, the world's only living link to Stalinism AND ancient
history. Joseph Stalin ruled the USSR between 1929-1953. North Korea
was founded in 1948, about the same time as The Peoples' Republic of
China. Both founders admired Stalin and his methods greatly. Both used
great force to conscript their nations. While China has adapted
considerably since then, North Korea hasn't progressed at all. This is
because of 2 main factors: 1) North Korea is a unique hybrid slope-
dweller/agrarian place ruled not only by a Stalinist but also a Mongolian-
descended steppe hunter/gatherer---an ancient historical type which
doesn't exist in our modern world. 2) There have been long historical
links between Russia/USSR and Japan, with the former always
supporting/subsidizing the latter's subjugation of Korea. Russia had
previously sought control of Korea itself beginning in the early 1900's,
only to be defeated in the Russo-Japanese war in 1904. Russia today
STILL has designs for Asia based on previous colonization, particularly
Northern China AND North Korea, which actually shares a border. Like
with Cuba and many other 3rd-world countries, The USSR gave North
Korea much more than it received, by virtue of its huge no-cost natural
resources and ultra-cheap conscript labor. The pace of this accelerated in
the 1960's, when USSR-China relations went downhill. North Korea was
completely subsidized until suddenly, in 1991, the support disappeared.
China has filled in since but not on nearly as comprehensive a scale, taking
distanced care of "Chinggis Jr. the 2nd" who, along with his million-man
army, had no place to conquer and were confounded by the realities of the
modern world. This "steppe-child" couldn’t imagine an agricultural-based
existence (flat or sloped terrain, regardless), and thus would rather starve
his people. Industry was unimaginable for him except for a touch of
defense---so weapons and narcotic trafficking kept him and his cadre
comfortably situated. As with Iran, nuclear capability is not a basis for
deterrence but for EXISTENCE itself. Cash-poor Russia's continuing
support of this regime since 1991 has meant a starvation-deadened
population and a hopelessly degraded/archaic infrastructure---much worse
than that which existed in East Germany in 1991. After 20 years, German
citizens are STILL paying taxes for the repair of East Germany, and no one
knows when the work will be finished. (*KEY*) The USSR devastated all
foreign infrastructures under its influence. So, Chinggis Jr. the 2nd was
pointing his weaponry in as many directions as possible (enemies and
allies) but still bowed in deference to Russian leadership as a sign of
respect to his father and, of course, because he completely lacked the
ability to understand any other viable strategy. It is important to realize that
in North Korea, each GREAT LEADER is singularly idolized, but the
leadership cadre of mini-Chinggises is really in control---and that each
knows their place, having uniquely Korean-influenced, complementary
Chinggis mind-sets. We’ll have to see about the new GREAT LEADER.
Note: Stalin's ideological visionary was Ivan the 4th, also known as Ivan
the Terrible, who reigned in the 15th century, beginning less than 100 years
after the end of the 230-year Mongolian occupation---and no doubt still
appreciative of/influenced by Mongolian methodology. The GREAT
LEADER/Military Cadre will always have adequate supplies of the finest
Cognac. Note: Very short, very distinctive North Koreans are still hard at
work in Eastern Siberian forests, preparing timber for export. They also
work in cities on construction projects, being excellent plasterers. These
semi-slaves are just like Koreans who worked in The Russian Far East and
Sakhalin over 100 years ago except for one difference---100 years ago,
those Koreans dreamed of being free from Japan and of becoming Russian
citizens....naive folks, they were. Today, inside their own country, North
Koreans have just as much mis-directed hope, as might the lumberjacks.
SPECIAL ATTENTION must be paid to the Georgian provinces of Ossetia
and Abkhazia. Considered under Russian influence since 1804, Georgia
is much older than Russia itself. To Russia, this place has always been
considered small and insignificant, naturally, being merely on the way to
Turkey and thus future colonialism via warm waters. As part of Stalin’s
nationalities policy, many Russians were moved to this area, ESPECIALLY
because Stalin himself was Georgian. After 1991, most Russians left the
southern regions of Georgia and went to the northern provinces of Ossetia
and Abkhazia, making these vital Russian Federation Southern Caucasian
border regions even more Russian population-wise. Naturally, most of
these Russians in Georgia, like those in Ukraine and the Baltics, didn’t want
to return north to the chilly lands of their ancestors. Something, of course,
had to be done, as there were as well several hundred thousand Georgians
already living in Ossetia and Abkhazia---things were now getting too
crowded. Russia decided to play up the need for native peoples of these
two regions to be “independent” of the historically “oppressive” Georgians,
even though they’ve lived together for thousands of years: translated=with
all the new Russians living there after 1991, it would be handy to force out
all of the Georgians living in the north and “cement” Russian dependency.
This was accomplished in 2008 though very few countries besides Russia
recognized this unique concept of “independence.” Stalin no doubt is
looking down at this with gusto and verve. As well, all of the raw materials
needed for making cement needed for the 2014 Olympics and the regional
development of nearby Sochi are in Abkhazia. This situation diminishes
Russia’s stature internationally. Yet to them, it is a simple hunter/gatherer
truth that big must control small, and stronger must control weaker.
Finally, as agrarian China and India are growing in super-power status, and
both are using Russia to help facilitate this. As they gain, Russia declines,
now having become a marginal trading partner/raw material exporter and
technology seller. The end of the USSR’s significant interference/influence
on these two has abetted their phenomenal growth and contributed greatly
to a more balanced and stable world.
STILL has designs for Asia based on previous colonization, particularly
Northern China AND North Korea, which actually shares a border. Like
with Cuba and many other 3rd-world countries, The USSR gave North
Korea much more than it received, by virtue of its huge no-cost natural
resources and ultra-cheap conscript labor. The pace of this accelerated in
the 1960's, when USSR-China relations went downhill. North Korea was
completely subsidized until suddenly, in 1991, the support disappeared.
China has filled in since but not on nearly as comprehensive a scale, taking
distanced care of "Chinggis Jr. the 2nd" who, along with his million-man
army, had no place to conquer and were confounded by the realities of the
modern world. This "steppe-child" couldn’t imagine an agricultural-based
existence (flat or sloped terrain, regardless), and thus would rather starve
his people. Industry was unimaginable for him except for a touch of
defense---so weapons and narcotic trafficking kept him and his cadre
comfortably situated. As with Iran, nuclear capability is not a basis for
deterrence but for EXISTENCE itself. Cash-poor Russia's continuing
support of this regime since 1991 has meant a starvation-deadened
population and a hopelessly degraded/archaic infrastructure---much worse
than that which existed in East Germany in 1991. After 20 years, German
citizens are STILL paying taxes for the repair of East Germany, and no one
knows when the work will be finished. (*KEY*) The USSR devastated all
foreign infrastructures under its influence. So, Chinggis Jr. the 2nd was
pointing his weaponry in as many directions as possible (enemies and
allies) but still bowed in deference to Russian leadership as a sign of
respect to his father and, of course, because he completely lacked the
ability to understand any other viable strategy. It is important to realize that
in North Korea, each GREAT LEADER is singularly idolized, but the
leadership cadre of mini-Chinggises is really in control---and that each
knows their place, having uniquely Korean-influenced, complementary
Chinggis mind-sets. We’ll have to see about the new GREAT LEADER.
Note: Stalin's ideological visionary was Ivan the 4th, also known as Ivan
the Terrible, who reigned in the 15th century, beginning less than 100 years
after the end of the 230-year Mongolian occupation---and no doubt still
appreciative of/influenced by Mongolian methodology. The GREAT
LEADER/Military Cadre will always have adequate supplies of the finest
Cognac. Note: Very short, very distinctive North Koreans are still hard at
work in Eastern Siberian forests, preparing timber for export. They also
work in cities on construction projects, being excellent plasterers. These
semi-slaves are just like Koreans who worked in The Russian Far East and
Sakhalin over 100 years ago except for one difference---100 years ago,
those Koreans dreamed of being free from Japan and of becoming Russian
citizens....naive folks, they were. Today, inside their own country, North
Koreans have just as much mis-directed hope, as might the lumberjacks.
SPECIAL ATTENTION must be paid to the Georgian provinces of Ossetia
and Abkhazia. Considered under Russian influence since 1804, Georgia
is much older than Russia itself. To Russia, this place has always been
considered small and insignificant, naturally, being merely on the way to
Turkey and thus future colonialism via warm waters. As part of Stalin’s
nationalities policy, many Russians were moved to this area, ESPECIALLY
because Stalin himself was Georgian. After 1991, most Russians left the
southern regions of Georgia and went to the northern provinces of Ossetia
and Abkhazia, making these vital Russian Federation Southern Caucasian
border regions even more Russian population-wise. Naturally, most of
these Russians in Georgia, like those in Ukraine and the Baltics, didn’t want
to return north to the chilly lands of their ancestors. Something, of course,
had to be done, as there were as well several hundred thousand Georgians
already living in Ossetia and Abkhazia---things were now getting too
crowded. Russia decided to play up the need for native peoples of these
two regions to be “independent” of the historically “oppressive” Georgians,
even though they’ve lived together for thousands of years: translated=with
all the new Russians living there after 1991, it would be handy to force out
all of the Georgians living in the north and “cement” Russian dependency.
This was accomplished in 2008 though very few countries besides Russia
recognized this unique concept of “independence.” Stalin no doubt is
looking down at this with gusto and verve. As well, all of the raw materials
needed for making cement needed for the 2014 Olympics and the regional
development of nearby Sochi are in Abkhazia. This situation diminishes
Russia’s stature internationally. Yet to them, it is a simple hunter/gatherer
truth that big must control small, and stronger must control weaker.
Finally, as agrarian China and India are growing in super-power status, and
both are using Russia to help facilitate this. As they gain, Russia declines,
now having become a marginal trading partner/raw material exporter and
technology seller. The end of the USSR’s significant interference/influence
on these two has abetted their phenomenal growth and contributed greatly
to a more balanced and stable world.
