Reason to fear Russia

Twenty years have passed since the collapse of the Soviet Union, and during that time, the United States has enjoyed the spotlight of being on top of the world stage.

But this could change.

The United States might soon be replaced and outshined by a new actor on stage. However, it is not China or India. Instead, it is a familiar actor with a familiar face – Russia.

Russia wishes to reprise its role as the world’s No. 1 star, and we should take heed of this as Russia spent the last 20 years rebuilding its infrastructure, updating to a modern world and dabbling in world affairs.

The recent war in Georgia should be taken as a warning: Russia’s military capability is back.

“Russia is a nation to be reckoned with,” Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said in a Times-Union report.

The comment declares Russia’s intent to enter a new era of aggression, and the actors on stage are doing little to stop this.

The European Union is reluctant to speak out against Russia’s aggression. It has not imposed sanctions or military action against Russia, scared Russia could take over half of Europe again – as they should be.
As of 2006, Russia commanded armed forces that have more than one million active duty personnel. And its military is undergoing a major equipment and technology upgrade.

Russia also has the world’s largest stockpile of nuclear weapons, produces the most weapons and arms in the world and is not afraid to export them, according to an ABC News report.

Aside from military matters, Russia has a heavy hand in foreign affairs. It has a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, as well as considerable influence on a permanent member, China.

Russia regularly exports technology, weapons and other goods to China. It also has amicable relations with Cuba, North Korea and Iran – nations openly hostile to the United States. And Russia openly engages in trade and diplomacy with these countries, almost as if mocking the United States.

This should be cause for alarm.

Russia is considered our friend and ally, yet it is providing a country hostile to the United States with nuclear capabilities. This begs the question: Can we really trust Russia?

Similar to a stage production of Shakespeare’s Othello, the U.S. plays the title character, Othello, and is the star onstage. The character Othello is brave, heroic, smart, but naïve and overly trusting.

Europe is a supporting actress, and plays the role of Desdemona, the beautiful, inspiring, intriguing yet also naïve heroine.

Finally, Russia plays a seasoned actor, Iago – the most compelling character of all. He is a friend of Othello, yet is secretly jealous of his success, and his relationship with Desdemona. He is clever and conniving and has his hand in every situation.

And at the end of Shakespeare’s play, Desdemona and Othello meet their deaths at the hands of Iago’s manipulations and jealousy.

So I think this answers the question about trust. We cannot trust Iago. We cannot trust Russia.

E-mail Brian Norman at discourse@unfspinnaker.com.