I find Jim Geraghty's claim that Putin has dropped his proven loyalty to his past KGB -and - communist career, and is now instead embracing the Russian Orthodox church (rather than just cynically using them), rather questionable. Why? Not too long ago, he was asked, in an interview with Russians, what event in the 20th century that he most regretted. Putin replied that to him, the COLLAPSE OF THE SOVIET UNION was the worst event in the 20th century. Additionally, when he recently carved-out two chunks of Ukraine for his puppet states, he specifically titled both of them as "People's Republics," a description that has previously been used exclusively by the Soviet Union's past satellite states.
I think the truth is worse: Putin has managed to create a synthesis of the old Communist system and the even older Tsarist/Orthodox partnership. Sort of the worst of both worlds.
Is it possible that Europeans having now lived in relative peace and prosperity for over 75 years are finally beginning to understand where that peace and prosperity comes from, i.e. freedom and the rule of law. I think they may finally realize how valuable such a society is, and how much they all have to lose if they don't defend it.
2) The alliance of the Russian church and Putin's police state was predicted long ago when Solzhenitsyn was shown to be the representative of the non-Communist soul of Russia.
I find Jim Geraghty's claim that Putin has dropped his proven loyalty to his past KGB -and - communist career, and is now instead embracing the Russian Orthodox church (rather than just cynically using them), rather questionable. Why? Not too long ago, he was asked, in an interview with Russians, what event in the 20th century that he most regretted. Putin replied that to him, the COLLAPSE OF THE SOVIET UNION was the worst event in the 20th century. Additionally, when he recently carved-out two chunks of Ukraine for his puppet states, he specifically titled both of them as "People's Republics," a description that has previously been used exclusively by the Soviet Union's past satellite states.
I think the truth is worse: Putin has managed to create a synthesis of the old Communist system and the even older Tsarist/Orthodox partnership. Sort of the worst of both worlds.
Is it possible that Europeans having now lived in relative peace and prosperity for over 75 years are finally beginning to understand where that peace and prosperity comes from, i.e. freedom and the rule of law. I think they may finally realize how valuable such a society is, and how much they all have to lose if they don't defend it.
1) Is the USA buying Russian oil and gas?
2) The alliance of the Russian church and Putin's police state was predicted long ago when Solzhenitsyn was shown to be the representative of the non-Communist soul of Russia.