KILLER, IS NOW A WORTHY ADVERSARY.(updated)

BY K P PASWAN.

US called Russia an enemy, who needs to be contained. Biden called Putin a killer, but changed his words in Geneva, he called Putin, a worthy adversary. So just concluded meeting between two powerful men on this earth, point to a new era of cooperation between two super powers. Both Joe Biden of US and Vladimir Putin of Russia, represent different nations with different political ideology. Joe Biden has democratic ideas in his DNA, but is handicapped by the astronomical rise of China, which is neither a democratic country nor open to liberal democratic institutions. Russia, on the other hand heralded the era of semi democratic  ideology, in the hope that its success  in modern Russia would result in a happy and prosperous country.

Before evaluation of Vladimir Putin, we have to examine the political and economic  conditions of both US and Russia.

 In the decade of 1960, Russia, formerly known as USSR, challenged US in every sphere like space, nuclear technology and military strength. It appeared that Soviet Union was going to rule the earth. But human race  are conscious of their survival instinct. If we study the history of political thinking, from time immemorial, we find every political ideology died prematurely. When James Monro, the American president defined democracy, it means for the people by the people and of the people. In his period, there were criminals but no gun’s culture. There was need to protect the human rights of honest people and criminals were to be punished. In the 21^st century, human race is experiencing different kind of political ideology. In the name of human rights, maximum protection is called for criminals and habitual laws breakers, while law abiding citizens of every democratic country fear for their life.

 American cite the example of Russian dissident leader Alexei Navalny, who is this man? He is a known economic offender in Russia, and wrongly thinks himself, a replacement of Putin. Navalny was convicted twice for economic offenses. He is also one of the richest men in Russia. A few months back Navalny accused Putin of poisoning him. He was treated in Germany, returned home, but was arrested and as per Vladimir Putin, Navalny wished his arrest just to invoke international sympathy

USSR collapsed in 1991 simply because foundation of communist ideology was weak and not sustainable. By choking of individual freedom and by killing innocent people,USSR invited tremors, which was difficult to control and Soviet Union vanished. Boris Yeltsin was the first president, who inaugurated a democratic Russia. Both US and Russia have enough nuclear arsenals including Neutron bomb to destroy this earth. Russia is no more a super power, but still carries weight in international politics.

 China has emerged as an excellent economic power, but its manufacturing activities are based upon natural resources, which are fast dwindling.  US and Russia are rich in natural resources including oil and gas. One of the reasons of the fall of USSR was neglect of agriculture, it was so because cultivated land was taken over by the government, as theorized by Karl Marx. From Lenin to Brezhnev, achieving supremacy in military strength, was the only way to capture the world, but this was a day dream, never going to fulfilled.

Coming to present days, Joe Biden talks about violation of human rights, but human rights violations in US are overlooked. Every fortnight some Blacks are being killed, in most cases killed person is either a habitual trafficker or psychopath. Then US always support laws breakers all over the world provided if criminals commit crimes which somehow serves American interests.

 CLASS OF TITANS. Joe Biden and Vladimir talked about Cyber Attack and Russian adventurism in Ukraine. Cyber attack is the latest weapons in the hands of a few advanced countries. China is notorious for Cyber Attack, followed by US and N Korea. Cyber attackers from US, enjoy immunity as IT sector of US is highly advanced. Recently Chinese and North Korean Cyber thugs tried to hack Covid related technology to manufacture vaccines. There is no doubt that Russian hackers target defense system of US,  but there are efficient ways and means to check cyber-attack, India is perhaps the  worst victim of cyber-attack of China. So cyber attack must not be the concern of only US, but of entire world. There is need for constant dialogue between IT giants. With progress in IT sector, cyber attack is likely to increase and become menace of a civilized society.

PUTIN. There is little doubt that most of Russians are better off today, after Putin came to power, but his presidency has done little to boost Russia’s standing in the world. Putin has presided over a catastrophic shrinkage of Kremlin’s power. Russian’s authority over its former satellite states have grown much weaker. Putin still has very much the power broker in Central Asia, thanks in large parts to Russia’s monopoly on energy exports. Instead of building bridges with the new regimes, Putin chose to pick fights with almost all of its neighbors. in 2006, spat with Ukraine over cheap Russian gas supply, which culminated in a gas cut off to Ukraine—and by accident the rest of southern Europe. This is the root cause of tension between US and Russia.

 Further afield, Russia’s reputation has slipped disastrously so badly that in the wake of 2006 poisoning of KGB defector AlexenderLitvenko in London, and Russia’s refusal to extradite his killers, Putin closed down office of the British Council. Even Germany, Russia’s biggest trading partner,  under Angela Merker has grown wary of over dependence of on Russian gas. But for Germany there is no alternative. Putin’s last gambit – to threaten to point nuclear weapon at Ukraine, if it joins NATO, suggests he is running low on ideas on how to revive Russia’s power.

 Possibly the most important legacy of Putin’s period is the restoration of respect for the office of the presidency. His iron will and Swiss-watch mind have allowed him to restore respect for presidency. On the other hand, Putin did not promote the growth of democratic institutions, as Russians are still not ready to accept new reality, which is necessary for long term stability. Putin will not allow, Navalny to take undue advantage of restricted freedom of speech in Russia.

UKRAINE. The former Russian ally is eager to join NATO, as this country is afraid of Russian attack. Interestingly several small nations, which once formed the parts of USSR have joined NATO and EU. But honestly speaking, Russia has ceased to become a threat to NATO and it has lost its relevance, there is no place for absolute honesty in diplomacy. NATO has become a terrible financial liability of US which is spending 70% of total expense, for maintaining security of member states and taking advantage of American generosity, country like Germany is utilizing American money in expanding its health infrastructure. Donald Trump virtually forced Germany and France to increase their defense budget. NATO has no other business, but to fight the religious based terrorism and every member is more than eager to use US money for fighting the terrorism, then to fight the imaginary Russian threat.

 Ukraine is notorious for arms smuggling and is supplying sophisticated arms to terrorists and Palestine, so no country wants entry of Ukraine in NATO. Here Joe Biden may be praised for raising the problems of Ukraine with Russia, as US itself does not want UKRAINE to disrupt the arms supply by US to its allies in Central Asia. In a way Western Europe is not threatened by Russia, but entry of Ukraine is likely to raise eyebrow of several political heads, as this country has a history of border dispute with Russia. President Biden may say ‘America is back’ but the question is for whom? Certainly not for Ukraine but certainly for Russia.

 LEGAL SYSTEM AND GUN CULTURE, coming to human rights violations, there is hardly any doubt that US is worst victim of GUN CULTURE. In a way second amendment of US constitution. makes it as fundamental right to purchase deadly guns, and there is little that Joe Biden can do, unless Republicans support tightening the sell of killing machines to criminals. Blacks in US, out of contempt are called Nigers and judgements in J Simpson and George Floyd case reveal the legal conundrum,

ELECTION RIGGING. It is fundamental to modern system of universal franchise. In US, whether Democrats stole the election as alleged by former president Donald Trump is a matter of investigation. But the US election was heavily rigged. Unauthorized and illegal migrants contributed to the defeat of Trump, so accusing Putin of rigging election is surprising.

 JOE BIDEN is a tolerant Catholic and an experienced politician. As a Democratic Senator, he suggested the division of Iraq into three sovereign nations, but the proposal was rejected by warring factions in Iraq. But it appears, he is under pressure from his own party to do certain things, which he finds not in the interest of US. He sends his VP to Guatemala, where, she exhorted people not to enter US illegally.

ECONOMY. Coronavirus has led China to emerge as an outstanding economic power. India, Brazil Argentina. and Japan are no longer in the race to challenge China, Origin of Coronavirus is no longer shrouded in mystery, everybody knows the source of funding and manufacturing the lethal virus. US has also suffered badly due to outbreak of Coronavirus. America’s recent growth figures have been so positive that Joe Biden has allowed himself to marvel with mass vaccination.

Improvement in American economy is the culmination of a yearlong trend, in part, that should have reflected strength of global economy. But we do not know much about stagnation of Russian economy. Despite of successful launching of Sputnik V and Sputnik lite series of vaccines, Russia is yet to contain the pandemic and unless the Coronavirus is hibernated, there is no hope of complete economic recovery. So, American’s supremacy of economic progress over Russia remain unchallenged. Russia is rich in natural resources and in future it may pose a serious threat to Chinese economy, which is based on currency manipulation, and a disciplined banking system. So negative thinking of Biden about Russian economy is like blowing a hole in the political landscape.

 PUTIN AND XI JINPING. Joe Biden is right in saying that Russia wants closer tie with US as Russia is being squeezed by China, But US has already been badly squeezed by China. XiJinping has claimed Russian city of Vladivostok as Chinese territory, but direct confrontation with Russia will led to China’ economic disaster, so squeezing both US and Russia, is the potent weapon in the hand of China.

FINAL THOUGHT. Putin—Biden meeting was more fruitful then G 7 gathering. China cannot be contained unless US and Russia cooperate with each other. Biden, very soon is expected to deal with new Iranian president Ibrahim Raisi, who has been sanctioned by US. Ibrahim is also known as Hanging Judge along with one Ayatollah Khalkhali, whose whereabouts is only known to Langley (C.I.A). It is virtually impossible to predict the happenings in international relations. US will retains its supremacy in political and economic affairs. EU will face serious problems with small countries, once parts of Soviet Unions, these countries are predominated by Muslims and they are in no mood to assimilate with liberal society of Western countries. In fact, entire EU has become hostage of religious based terrorists. US may need Russia to neutralize these enemies of democratic countries and above all Russia may help US to contain China as a leading economic power of the earth.