What Russia Doesn’t Forget

[Valin]

Via Meadia:

Walter Russell Mead

6/3/12

 

Ever since the struggle in Syria began, the Obama administration has consistently underestimated Russia’s commitment to the Assad regime. Even last week we were hearing hopeful noises from Washington about possible moves on the issue in Moscow.

 

The roots of Russia’s support for Butcher Assad go deep. This is much more than nostalgia for Russia’s last Middle East ally from Soviet days. This is about getting back in touch with Russia’s pre-communist foreign policy traditions, and about Putin’s relations with one of his most reliable and important bases of support: the Russian Orthodox Church. The Church has historically exerted a strong pull on Russian policies overseas, especially in defense of Christian minorities in the Balkans and Middle East. Throughout the events of the Arab Spring, Russia has been reluctant — to put it kindly — to join the efforts to unseat dictators like Hosni Mubarak and Bashar Assad. Though these tyrants have often been brutal toward many of their citizens, Christian minorities have, by and large, thrived under their rule.

 

The Orthodox Church does not drive Russia’s foreign policy by itself, but it is certainly a force to be reckoned with. A few months ago, president-elect Vladimir Putin went to Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, the chairman of the Russian patriarchate’s department of external church relations, with a pledge to support the Church with millions of dollars in donations to Church causes and institutions. The metropolitan did not want money. He wanted the Russian government to protect the Christians of the Middle East. “So it will be,” Putin promised.

 

(Snip)

 

 

Why I read Walter's blog everyday. Agree or disagree he provides some of the best most insightful informed commentary around.

[NCTexan]

This is a chilling new image that the Obamanation has allowed to emerge...

 

taken in China no less.

 

[Valin]

This is a chilling new image that the Obamanation has allowed to emerge...

 

taken in China no less.

 

 

When the Wall came down and the USSR was left on the ash heap of history, one of the things that happened was a reset button was pushed, WWI finally ended and the prewar world returned. Obviously not exactly, but with regards to Russia...they remain Russia (if you know what I mean).