Putin made a speech at the UN and then had a talk with Obama last week. After that he started the air campaign in Syria. Critics of Obama say that Putin looked strong and decisive as oppose to Obama. Putin, in one week, put Ukraine out of the picture and make Russia a big player in the middle east. Obama, meanwhile, asked Putin to attack only ISIS targets and not rebels against Assad. Obviously, Putin refused and Obama gained nothing out of the meeting. So Putin looked strong and Obama looked week.
Well, I say so what? The reality is Putin's decision to help Assad is easy. Syria has always been Russia's biggest ally in the middle east, going way back when Assad's father first came to power. So it is natural that Putin wants to help Assad stay in power. Since the Shiite governments in Iraq and Iran are also supporting Assad, it is a good way for Putin to gain more allies. The U.S. options are not so clear. We don't want Assad to stay but there are no strong, democratic rebels who we can align with. The truth is air strikes by us will not get rid of Assad or ISIS and we don't want to put boots on the ground. Yes, we can get rid of a dictator by force. But after our human sacrifices, is there a stable and democratic government to take the dictator's place? Well, obviously we can't say yes after Afghanistan and Iraq.
So let Putin enjoy his spotlight. I think down the road it would backfire on him. He is making enemies in the Muslim world by his bombing. Remember we saved Saudi Arabia and Kuwait from Saddam Hussein and even that gave rise to al Queda against us. You will see more Muslims from the former Soviet republics join ISIS. If he gets alignment with Iraq and Iran, Sunnis will be enemies of Russia. As Russia learned in Afghanistan in the 1980s, power does not equated to victory. I think the U.S. should just sit back and let Putin be the bad guy to the Muslim world. We should concentrate on humanity aid. It does not make us look tough but it is better for the long run.
Sunday, October 04, 2015
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Did you see the interview Putin had on 60 Minutes? It was pretty interesting. He's a pretty confident and unapologetic man. Seems to me that he knows he can do a lot of things without much resistance and get away with it.
ReplyDeleteMy problem is that you wonder where it will stop. I don't think this is the old days where he's occupying territories and countries to make a new Soviet Union. Though, in a way, it's a modern way of doing it, where these countries like Syria, will owe the Russians a lot.
I guess if I am the U.S., I would only be concerned if he has some control of countries that are neighboring our allies and where oil is at stake.
Other than that, if he wants to make enemies with Sunnis, then I say go for it. It's his problem and not ours. Putin is not a dumb guy. And you have to figure that he knows what he is doing and that he knows he is crossing a fine line.
On a side note, they are showing the Lions/Seahawks game tonight on the ABC station tonight instead of DWTS. Now, I usually don't watch DWTS but I feel the need to keep up with you so that I know what is going on. There is potential that I will not see it this week!
-LBOAYM
Confident and unapologetic? Sounds like Donald Trump. Like Trump, he can do whatever he wants in his own country (business). But they are just bullies. Trump is rich because his father was rich. Putin has had high approval rating in the past because of high oil prices. Even without sanctions Russia's economy would be bad today given the low oil prices. Putin is using force in Ukraine and Syria to boost his image at home because he has no idea what to do about the economy. Eventually all this saber rattling will backfire.
ReplyDeleteWhy do you watch the Lions game. They are terrible. I know you would not want to miss DWTS since it is your favorite show. The game is on ESPN here and by the time DWTS starts I am sure the Lions would have lost already. Why would ABC show the game? It is on ESPN in Detroit as well, right?
Pretty good point about Trump and Putin. Two massive egos with hunger for more power. Also pretty good point about using force in Ukraine and Syria. I really hadn't thought about that. One of the funny points during the interview on 60 Minutes was that Charlie Rose asked Putin why his approval rating was so high. Pretty much a trap question. I don't remember the exact answer but it was pretty much what you'd think he'd say.
ReplyDeleteThey decided to show the game on Channel 7 here along with ESPN. Pretty boring game. Of course the Lions found another way to lose a game. DWTS is NOT my favorite show! I only watch it because you are always blogging about it.
They did end up showing DWTS at around 3am. My friend watched it in the morning and said that it was a very sad show. The crocodile hunter's daughter's dance was very moving.
One more thing of note. Grace Lee Boggs passed away yesterday morning in her sleep. She hung in there after being in hospice for a long time. She made it to her 100th birthday, which is pretty good.
-LBOAYM
Yeah, that was a dumb way to lose even though neither team deserved to win. The guy that swatted the ball out of the end zone would have been the biggest goat of the season if the penalty was called. There was nobody near him and all he had to do was fall on top of the ball. Of course, maybe even the refs did not know the rule, so hard to blame the guy.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like "your friend" must be the biggest fan of DWTS to watch it at 3 am! I am thinking this is like my patients who ask me about viagra for "my friend". I think I said before that I am rooting for the Irwin girl. This is due to sympathy and due to the fact that there is nobody else on the show who is rootable except maybe the guy who helped stop the terrorist. I am just glad that Busey is out. He talked incoherently last night and yet people clapped for his comments!
To die in her sleep at 100 years old is the way to go! I don't agree with all her politics but she lived a productive life and helped others. So rest in peace Grace!
I personally think that the batting rule is dumb. What difference does it make that the defender puts it out of bounds?
ReplyDeleteMy friend didn't watch it at 3am, though he did watch it before he went to work (and he of course told me all about it!). I still think that one of the boy band guys will still win, though the Irwin girl is actually pretty good and she has Derek Hough.
Yeah, I didn't agree with Grace Lee Boggs on things, but I did respect her and to see her cross racial lines is something that is neat to see. She was still working on helping the community until a couple of years ago and never left Detroit.
Would you want to die in your sleep? I guess that's the best way. I don't know if I'd like to know that I was about to die.
I was going to ask for some viagra for my friend, but he says he is still virile like a young bull!
-LBOAYM