Inside Krasnodar | 2008

As Bush and Putin meet one last time in Sochi, I wanted to share with you an excellent article from the Times Online that very nicely offers the Russian’s viewpoint to NATO over these past 8 years under Bush.

NATO continues to push eastward but says to Russia not to worry. It’s my own personal opinion that NATO expansion should be seen through the prism of “marketshare.” NATO is a club which requires its members to buy weapon systems from military-industrial companies which are in NATO countries.

Therefore, if Ukraine becomes a member of NATO, say goodbye to all the MiGs and hello to a bunch of F14’s or whatever NATO is “selling” these days. The inclusion of the Czech Republic and Poland has been a bonanza for military companies here in American and in Europe.

The key thing to keep in mind is that NATO almost lost its justification for existing with the break-up of the Soviet Union. No more enemy would have negated the need for a military alliance. In fact, many people did suggest that NATO close its doors. It didn’t for a very simple reason- it’s way too lucrative.

So as Russia has reestablished a sense of stability under Putin certain persons in the West, with a vested interest in seeing NATO thrive, have tried very hard, and unfortunately successfully, to paint Putin as a dangerous figure and Russia, therefore, as a threat. Simply read the candidates statements on Russia over the past month and you can see the results of the black PR campaign against Russia and Putin.

But… but you say, Putin really is a bad guy. He took away freedoms, he killed journalists, etc, etc, etc. Oh really, did Putin in fact do more harm or good during his 8 years in office. If you think the former then you obviously haven’t been to Russia recently. Putin is the best thing to have happened to Russia in the past 50 years. I am very serious.

I invite you to visit me in Krasnodar for a couple days and you will see the openness with which people go about their daily lives. You will see the hope and pride with which people discuss their jobs. You will see the explosion of young mothers with children walking in the parks. You will see the rebuilding of cities, roads, parks, and infrastructure. You will see newsstands inside gleaming supermarkets which carry 100+ magazines and newspapers. You will see employees sneaking another look at www.odnoklassniki.ru (Russia’s Facebook equivalent) in an effort to reconnect with friends from old school days. You will see stores filled with exactly the same selction as you might find at the Natick Mall. You will find crazy traffic jams due to the increased percentage of car ownership. You will feel a sense of hope and pride.

Russia is booming both economically and culturally. Russia is not China. To compare the two is to highlight your ignorance of the reality in both countries.

Here’s the article from Times Online titled, “No Wonder Russia is paranoid.” It’s an excellent article which highlights once again that the foreign policy of the United States under Bush has done our country more harm than good. Other than increased arms sales by NATO countries, the expansion of NATO has done nothing other than confirm foreigner’s perception that America has simply become a bully rather than its historic place as a role model for the very best qualities - politically, militarily, and culturally. America has lost its mojo under Bush. It’s time to get it back!

So what’s the answer? Simple, invite Russia to be a full fledged member of NATO. Why not? If NATO really doesn’t see Russia as the enemy it should welcome Russia’s entry. Russia is looking for a full partnership with the West. An invitation for Russia to join NATO would signal to Russia that it is, in fact, respected and no longer a “junior partner.” Russia would be a full partner which would both manufacture and PURCHASE weapon systems (it would be very good for many military companies in North America and Europe).

In fact, Putin should say as much publicly when Bush and he meet in Sochi. Putin should make an announcement during their joint press conference that if, in fact, the West and NATO don’t view Russia as the enemy then they should welcome Russia into NATO as a full partner. Putin should say that Russia would welcome such a move and that it would finally put the last nail in the Cold War’s coffin. Putin and Bush could agree of the goal of Russian membership and leave it to Medvedev and the next US president to work out the details. Wouldn’t that be a jaw-dropping announcement.

Putin could reference Mr. Reagan’s famous statement to Gorbachev “Tear down this wall.” Putin could have a similar line with respect to NATO such as “In 1989, they torn down the physical wall in Berlin, now its time to tear down the last psychological wall of the Cold War. Mr. Bush, open up NATO!”

Bush wants to have a positive legacy. Well, here’s the perfect opportunity. What a positive legacy it would be. The time is now. Let’s hope he has the vision to seize the opportunity!!!