Tuesday, April 16, 2019
Constant and Variables 126, Realist Russia edition
Thinking about Assange vs Snowden in terms of Russian realism.
Russia applies the same rule with nations. A somewhat parallel pair would be Turkey vs Persia.
Erdogan is like Assange, always trying to have his cake and eat it. For years he's been playing hard-to-get with EU and Russia at the same time. Both are tired of the game. Finally Erdogan seems to have figured out which side he should take, but he still hasn't given up pointlessly "courting" NATO and EU. Russia is responding in kind, cautiously selling weapons but not joyously embracing Turkey.
Persia is like Snowden. Persia picked the correct side a long time ago, and has tried to be a helper for Russia where it counts. Russia has made Persia an integral part of the New Silk Road.
Unlike USA STRONG, Russia doesn't require abject supine obedience. Even countries like Belarus and Kazakhstan that never really separated from the Union are allowed to conduct their own affairs and complain about Russian dominance. Russia knows that both will support the side when the chips are down.
Labels: Constants and Variables
¶ 3:27 PM
