The Big Bea Tries to Control More of the Woods
As we all know in Russia, "Brother Bear" isn't always so cute and cuddly.
Thus, I was reading news on the recent national addresses of Russia and the USA.
One article, I found quite interesting: Monsters & Critics. It highlights the Russian government's ambiguity and how it needs certain diplomatic arrangements just as others need arrangements from Russia. It points out that the country is making progress, while Putin takes credit for giving oil and gas to Russia and making it strong. [Here I should point out that Russia would be where it is with or without Putin, because as always, the Russian people and the Russian way of life continue to endure despite it's ruling classes. That's something that people outside of Russia seem to not understand.] It also points out that Putin insists that the country still requires a strong hand from the presidential seat and that parliamentary democracy will have to wait for a generation that is prepared to rule itself.
I found it interesting, anyway.
I don't find it pleasant that the next G8 conference will be here in Saint Petersburg just as my mother will be visiting. Frankly, this means that security will be a bitch. Already acquaintances can be robbed in broad daylight or in an occupied cafe. However, security in much of the city seems to be getting a little better--to me, anyway. I'm not worried about that, myself. But security that will focus on some diplomats or presidents is not security for the people. However, as cities go, SPb is much safer than Moscow...including from less domestic forms of danger.
In other news, Putin tries to make his role in the Israeli-Palestinian affairs a little stronger. He, as is seems traditional, plays one side against the other to gain some support and raise his position. [Where the US just assumes that it has all the power to begin with, which is their own foolish mistake.] Regardless, it's another fun power play. Supporting Hamas while still asking a major policy change from them. While this is a better game to play than the more common choice, it's more about Russian ambition than the solving of any situations.
As opposed to Bush's address, which I missed due to being in another country, it seemed a little less tame, and a lot more long winded. I guess that would reflect the nature of Russia as well.
Thus, I was reading news on the recent national addresses of Russia and the USA.
One article, I found quite interesting: Monsters & Critics. It highlights the Russian government's ambiguity and how it needs certain diplomatic arrangements just as others need arrangements from Russia. It points out that the country is making progress, while Putin takes credit for giving oil and gas to Russia and making it strong. [Here I should point out that Russia would be where it is with or without Putin, because as always, the Russian people and the Russian way of life continue to endure despite it's ruling classes. That's something that people outside of Russia seem to not understand.] It also points out that Putin insists that the country still requires a strong hand from the presidential seat and that parliamentary democracy will have to wait for a generation that is prepared to rule itself.
I found it interesting, anyway.
I don't find it pleasant that the next G8 conference will be here in Saint Petersburg just as my mother will be visiting. Frankly, this means that security will be a bitch. Already acquaintances can be robbed in broad daylight or in an occupied cafe. However, security in much of the city seems to be getting a little better--to me, anyway. I'm not worried about that, myself. But security that will focus on some diplomats or presidents is not security for the people. However, as cities go, SPb is much safer than Moscow...including from less domestic forms of danger.
In other news, Putin tries to make his role in the Israeli-Palestinian affairs a little stronger. He, as is seems traditional, plays one side against the other to gain some support and raise his position. [Where the US just assumes that it has all the power to begin with, which is their own foolish mistake.] Regardless, it's another fun power play. Supporting Hamas while still asking a major policy change from them. While this is a better game to play than the more common choice, it's more about Russian ambition than the solving of any situations.
As opposed to Bush's address, which I missed due to being in another country, it seemed a little less tame, and a lot more long winded. I guess that would reflect the nature of Russia as well.