My short answer is: no one. Living in America and travelling back and forth from Russia, it’s hard not to notice that both nations consist of normal people, whose interests are not wrapped up in complicated politics or disputes over missile shields, but in enduring values like family, faith and earning a living. My recent business trips to St Petersburg, Moscow, New York, Philadelphia and Washington have reminded me of these fundamental truths. Here in the Pacific Northwest, many Seattleites are getting ready for a wonderful summer, and the city is buzzing with activity. Friends are hiking, waterskiing, and golfing—and not exactly worried about the headlines screaming that there is a “New Cold War” underway.
Let me offer a very uncommon point of view on the recent Cold-War-style rhetoric between America and Russia: it proves that our respective nations are fundamentally friendly towards each other and have a lot in common. Any conflict between the two can be settled quickly and easily, just like between two kids who yell at each other and then are laughing at the next moment. To do this, you just have to put them together in a quiet room with “adult supervision.” It would seem that this is the role the G8 summit plays between our two countries—that of an adult to mediate between our heads of state. And it appears to be working.
President Putin showing President Bush how to drive a Volga sedan in May 2005
As former U.S. presidential candidate Patrick Buchanan recently wrote, the United States’ decision to build missile defense systems in Poland and the Czech Republic is as nonsensical as Russia putting missiles in Cuba or Venezuela. But that point aside, the current and largely invented “missile-crisis”, is easily resolved. One solution would be to put American missiles in Russia or on Russian military bases in the former Soviet republics near Iran. Today Vladimir Putin suggested doing exactly that, declaring that Russia would be open to the Western nations placing radars and missile defense systems in Azerbaijan, a country that enjoys excellent relations with Washington and Moscow.
Considering Putin's remarks earlier in the week, this development may seem stunning to Western observers. Unfortunately, most Americans are unaware that Putin was the first world leader to call President Bush on 9/11 and offer the use of his country's airspace and military bases for America's upcoming response to the terrorist attacks.
Although the response today from President Bush was brief and diplomatic, “Interesting proposal - let's let our experts have a look at it,” many analysts believe that Putin's proposal could resolve the international row. For his part, President Putin said the proposed relocation would alleviate Russia's concerns about a European missile shield: “This will make it unnecessary for us to place our offensive complexes along the border with Europe”. According to Forbes magazine, he laid out several other conditions, as well:
- The U.S. must take Russia's concerns into account.
- Both sides must be given "equal access" to the system.
- The development of the system must be made transparent.
"Then we will have no problem," the Russian leader concluded.
"We asked the Russians to cooperate with us on missile defense, and I think what we got is a willingness to do so," said White House National Security Adviser Steve Hadley.
“I've not said that friends do not act in this way," Putin said, to which him and Bush laughed heartily and jostled each other.
So what was really behind the “crisis”, and subsequent blowing off of steam?
The recent Cold-War-like tensions between America and Russia would seem to benefit politicians in both countries. With sure to be heated elections coming up in the near future in both America and Russia, candidates and leaders in both countries need an enemy, one that can be quickly scaled up, and bashed openly without fear of serious reprisal. Sound brutal? It is, but it’s also easier for politicians to live in the past then deal with the new threats – and opportunities - that the 21st century offers. The Cold War still lingers in the political culture in both capitals, and it may take another generation coming to power before the U.S. and Russia can enjoy a fully "normal" relationship.
For a moment, imagine if President Bush made some of his recent Russia-related statements—but insert China or Saudi Arabia, instead. The result could have been a real conflict with real financial or even military consequences for the both parties involved. In essence, Russia is a safe topic for America and vice-versa. Americans and Russians know that neither side will draw weapons and attack each other any time soon. It’s very similar to making your “mother-in-law” the greatest villain on Earth. No matter what you say about her, she isn’t likely to do much other than berate you. Try making a few derogatory statements in a bar, and you’re in for a totally different experience.
As the Kremlin and the White House spokesmen bask in loud and lousy statements, we here at Russia Blog suggest our readers to look into much more practical things. Like stock market options in both countries. We also suggest that Russians and Americans with the means to travel do so! Russians should visit the beautiful West Coast of the US—and the nation’s capital, while Americans will find exciting adventures and new friends awaiting them in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
If anyone still wants to watch Americans and Russians go to war, there's always Tom Clancy novels and video games to keep them occupied. Given the increasing economic ties and common interests shared between the U.S., Russia, and Europe, that is where the fighting will stay - in the realm of virtual reality, and in the minds of a few aging pundits on both sides.
Comments
Today Vladimir Putin suggested exactly that (putting the missiles in Azerbaijan) and even though Bush diplomatically said, “Interesting proposal - let's let our experts have a look at it,” many analysts believe this will resolve the international row.
The proposed US system consists of two components - radars and missile interceptors. Putin offered to use the Azeri radar as part of the US missile shield system.
With regard to the missile interceptors, which the US proposes to host in Poland, Putin suggested that they be based on US Aegis cruisers (wherever they may be located, presumably in the Mediterranean or the North Sea). Russia has also proposed the missile interceptors to be moved back to the UK.
With regard to the missile interceptors, the US remains weary of changing the plans to move them out of Europe, and this issue will still be the stumbling block.
But it is a good sign that the two sides are engaged in active consultations
Posted by: nikolay i | June 7, 2007 7:29 PM
Yuri,
The common American and the common Russian would be surprise to learn how similar we all are. And that our interests, dreams and aspirations are the same.
It would sound symmetrical for me to write that it's the elite in both US and Russian governments that create this problem. However, I personally trust Putin and even Lukashenko. Bush I simply don't trust, I don't like, and I don't respect. Bush got my first vote, but each and every time I hear yet another excuse about his failures, yet another slapstick dance for buying time, I get sick and wheezy.
To that, this is the fault of US foreign policy. It's the US population that has been duped, lied to, snow jobbed, conned, hoodwinked, and given the snake oil treatment by US foreign policy all the way back 40 years.
Nobody wants a new cold war except the psychopathic loonies. This isn't just about politics or blogs, it's about the survival of mankind. What scares the hell out of me is the following: "Will Bush be so wrong about missile defense and Russia as he was about everything else?". 3500 of our beloved US soldiers died, because Bush is clueless, because he doesn't understand the limitations of our foreign policy. I don't know about anyone else, but these last few presidencies of internships have leveled our future. And I get really deep down to when people complain that jobs are leaving, yet we all buy foreign made products. What the Soviets did to disintegrate the USSR, we Americans are doing to ourselves. All the missile defense systems in the world aren't going to save a country that is applying suicide.
Ron Paul makes me feel like an American again. I respect Vladimir Putin not for what he says, but for what he does. If I want an entertaining story, I listen to Bush. If I want hope and results I listen to Putin and now Paul.
I sure hope Ron Paul is nominated for the republican party, but I doubt it. Russia has more political parties and more opportunity for an underdog to run for president - and win. Not America, we are a two party system, twice as good as the communist one party system.
And it's the American people that suffer from this two party system of criminals that go on and egg on a new cold war against Russians who never hurt America and never will, unless provoked. If there ever will be WW3 powered by nukes, I'll bet anything and everything it will be the fault of some dope in Washington DC hell bent on promoting yet another "bright idea".
I'll never forget when Bush said to Putin that Russia should be like Iraq. Well, looks like Bush would like to bring Iraq to America.
Posted by: Luther G. Quick | June 7, 2007 7:46 PM
Well, I must agree with you Yuri. You are right of course that the best thing to get to the bottom of misbehaviour is an adience of adults. Usually, the offender(s) are found out, soundly told off and made to feel ashamed of themselves. This is often more effective than physical punishment. Let's hope it works. Maybe then, we can get back to a regime of arms control and strategic balance that was the fundamental enabler of peace and world security for over half a century. Who abrogated that regime?
Lois White Buffalo
(Roaming the beaches of Oregon and Washington)
Posted by: Lois DuPey | June 7, 2007 9:05 PM
Interesting perspective, Yuri.
It is true that Russia and USA are very unique in a sense that they can scale up the rhetoric against each other without any real consequences. Both countries, realizing what kind of disaster a military conflict between them would bring, have learned not to escalate tensions beyond the saber-rattling and stinging epithets.
However, it would be nice to see truly normalized relationship in my lifetime. Both countries are facing the enemy who is unforgiving and uncompromising, and intent on conversion and/or destruction of any culture different from theirs. We must unite, or be destroyed.
Posted by: Al Goroh | June 7, 2007 10:53 PM
Lois DuPey,
I might be going to the Oregon Coast next weekend (June 16, 17). Keep on roaming those beaches and if we're in Seaside or Cannon Beach at the same time, let's finally have a coffee :)
Thank you for reading and for the comments everyone!
Sincerely,
Yuri
Posted by: Yuri Mamchur | June 7, 2007 11:17 PM
Oh hi Yuri,
Yeah, thanks it would be a real pleasure to meet you finally. On Friday next, I have the day off from cooking fried fish at the restaurant and planned to make some borsht on the beach, for fun, weather permitting of course. So, you would be most welcome to come over to the campfire, well its really all I have to offer in the way of hospitality, being a homeless person and all, (but it worked for my ancestors quite well for tens of thousands of years, around here, until the white eyes came along and ruined it for us.)
Anyway, I make good coffee over a campfire, too, and also, if you would rather meet in a less "traditional" setting- SAt/Sunday I will be working at the fish and chips place known as Bell Bouy in Seaside, so just come over and introduce yourself. re Friday Borscht, let me know if you will be in town that day and I will give you directions to my campfire.
Sincerely,
Lois DuPey
Posted by: Lois DuPey | June 10, 2007 8:09 AM
Nice article Yuri,
btw, since the problem is really "aging pundits" we need to find a solution. Incidentally, there is a lot to do here on the coast and your suggestion of interculural exchanges is a good one. (That is how to change out the old for the new, mind sets). If you like, I will even show you our archery range (its a beach) and its really great for meditative exercises in between borscht bowls.
Lois DuPey
Posted by: Lois DuPey | June 11, 2007 8:10 AM
hey yuri & lois,
did u people finally meet???
just curious! :)
on a serious note, the discussion is defintely very interesting...
Posted by: eva | August 3, 2007 12:43 AM
Russian information is somewhat eye-opening.
The world has seen Russia move from a relatively low key operation a decade ago to rushing onto the scene once again as a country that wants to be recognized as "powerfully" influential once again. The people have seen if but briefly, a slight change in government
monopolies throughout Russia from her early "power" days. The recent world tours Putin has placed himself in would appear to be for headline, world recognition purposes. He espouses a smooth front
shielding the world from his true purposes. "Let freedom ring" appears to be taking a move backward for the Russian people while the government moves into a position of control over world commodities and resources hoping to bring some countries totally economically dependent.
Posted by: Daniel DuPey | January 7, 2008 3:13 PM