Mother Russia: Awakened

"It is easy for people in the West to forget that Russia is the world’s largest country by landmass – nearly twice the size of the United States or China. Although economically weakened, it retains the mentality of a giant." It has been argued that Russia changed after the Cold War, yet the West may be surprised, to note, that the change was not for the better.

Russia, soon after the collapse of the U.S.S.R., was a less than a shadow of its former image. It hardly had the ability to provide for itself, to maintain the lands that remained loyal, and yet, it lived a life situated to be doomed. Instead of a new Democracy, thieving monarchs rose to seize commodities and power, disregarding Democracy's foundation, the law. As these crime lords grew, the seeds of distrust, foreboding, and hate emanated toward the West. Thus, Democracy's last hope to establish itself died; a mere few years after the fall of the communist state.

Distrust was indeed seeded long before the end of the Cold War, and never uprooted. After the demise of the Soviet Union, Russia still saw itself as a strong influence in its old satellites. It felt honor bound to oversee their needs, as they believed the former satellites would provide for Russia's. The United States, however, felt that Russia's influence ended along with the Cold War... who is meddling with who's internal affairs? Russia rightfully feels the West is strangling its chances for a seat in world affairs, by destroying diplomacy with its old domains.

Ending the Cold War brought Russia's weapons industry and economy to a thunderous halt. The United States, however, was bestowed with the final title of 'Global Superpower', with no opposition to the West, the world became a vast playground, in Russia's eyes. Russia only had the ability to state its opinions, confined, within the walls of the Security Council. Enmity grew as the United States disregarded most of what the UN and Russia had resolved. The ability for any one country to oppose America was history.

During the past fifteen years, above all, Russia's symbolism and pride has been attacked: Russia became the punch line to most Western jokes, symbols highly regarded were tarnished, and old ideologies were mocked. Russia felt the West was intentionally belittling it, the West enjoyed gloating over its fallen foe. Mother Russia, too weak and soft spoken to defend, was morally tattered, and dreamed of revenge.

When Putin became president in early 2000, he felt a need to cooperate with the West. After September 11, 2001 Putin saw himself as aiding the West by allowing US forces to operate out of bases in Russia’s former southern region. He did not feel, however, that meaningful gratitude was returned and represented.

Seeing the dire situation of his country, Putin felt the need to revive the economy. In the few short years of his presidency, Putin has been able to restore a failing economy to a growing international vault. Statistics show his implementations raised the Russian National GOP by almost 6.25% per year, and shows no sign of slowing. Putin has unnerved his international equals, and feels that it is time for Russia to awaken, to step to the plate as another 'World Superpower'.

Unfortunately, I do not believe that Russia can be denied Global Status any further. The atrocities toward the Russian pride, I fear, run too deep. Now that Russia is in a position to regain part of its former strength, I believe it would be wise to instill as many cooperative, joint, operations and decisions as is possible between. Now is the time for the world to change, now is the time for a revolution of ideas, now is the time for the Bear and the Eagle to stand united, inseparable, for the world lies in their overpowering claws; for if they fight, everyone loses.

Running Demon