The idea that Obama can change Russians' minds about relations with the US is foolish.
It is the US that needs to change! Before 9/11, Clinton set the stage by using NATO to bomb,
not just Serbian troops (justified), but also Belgrade (outrageous). Serbia is one of Russia's
closest allies. After 9/11, Putin was one of the first, if not the first, world leaders to
offer condolences. How have we responded? We have continued to promote NATO membership for
former Soviet states on Russia's borders, not a friendly action given NATO's role in attacking
Serbia. We are stubbornly planning on deploying an anti-missile interceptor system in Poland
and the Czech Republic. Since offensive missiles are easily disguised as missile interceptors,
the Russians, who are not stupid, see that as a major threat. While claiming to promote
democracy, we have cooperated with tyrannical governments of former Soviet states for
access to their mineral resources. Saying that we value democracy while having cozy relationships
with Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan is the height of hypocrisy and arrogance. We have also
blatantly lied about the situation in Georgia. The truth is that the US armed and trained
the Georgian army prior to the attack by Georgia on South Ossetia. We did that partly because the
Georgian president is US educated; he is also a personal friend of John McCain. It was not
just any attack: an attack with artillery and rockets against the capital city at midnight,
clearly aimed at maiming, killing, and terrorizing civilians. American "trainers" were
reportedly involved in the combat. The US has supported Georgia in this barbarity. Prior to
all this, the US financially supported "non-governmental organizations" (what an oxymoron!)
that presumed the right to supervise Russian elections and, in general, tell the Russians how
to govern their country. Putin justifiably expelled them. Russia does need that. The Russian
state and culture are one thousand years old, and Russians are secure in that fact. They will
not change their ways just to please us. The best advice on relationships with Russia was given
by Pat Buchanan: we should stay out of their space and get out of their face. Lots of luck in
getting our supremely self-confident, arrogant, and ignorant president to heed that advice!
Two years of being a senator did not make him a statesman!