Opinion
The price of ignoring Russia
Shlomo Avineri
Published: 23.08.07, 14:03
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21 Talkbacks for this article
1. Russia has consistently lied to Israel
Barron ,   Israel   (08.23.07)
Putin (rather Ras-Putin) promised then-PM Sharon that he would not sell sophisticated weaponry to Syria (so that it wouldn't get into Hizballah's arsenal), then feigned surprise when Israel angrily complained that Russia reneged on its promise. Russia's been lying to us for long time. I'm not surprised, though, at our government's lack of responsiveness. This is the most apathetic, uncaring and self-centered government Israel has ever had.
2. #1 What response do you expect?
Aharon   (08.23.07)
Take it to the useless UN? Issue a verbal condemnation? Nuke Russia? Israel is way out of its league in dealing with majour powers. It's best to leave that to those countries that actually have a degree of influence over world affairs (unlike Israel), such as America.
3. I don't know why this is a surprise
Emilio ,   DC   (08.23.07)
We all know that eventually the Russians are going to betray us. This is nothing new. They sell their military weapons to Syria and Iran, their government doesn't say anything when jews are killed or harassed in Russia. We have to be prepared for the worst, and we need a strong ally, which is the US. Because, even though the IDF can take care of Iran and Syria (Granted, as long as we have strong leadership), Russia is another story, we need back up.
4. Russia provides a balance to US supply of arms to Israel
Mr. Knowitall ,   Frostbite Falls, MN   (08.23.07)
The US and Israeli led foreign policy in the Middle East is a complete and total disaster, and the currently proposed 30 Billion dollar arms sale to Israel is the first shot in what is going to be a large military build up and modernization of all forces in the region to counter the Israeli threat to their sovereignty. To expect Israel's neighbors to sit back and not counter the obvious military buildup by a regime with a history of ignoring UN resolutions, international law, signed treaties and the UN Charter is preposterous, especially with increasing power of the rabid Yeshiva Rabbis and their IDF armed paramilitary settlers who proved just the other day with their arson attack on a crematorium that they see themselves as being above the rule of Israel law The US threat in the region is also great, with the same dunderheads that have managed only to turn Iraq into a complete quagmire and terrorist haven now threatening to attack Iran for exercising its rights under the NPT. Russia provides a counter to the failed policies of the US/Israel in the region and should assert itself more into ending the occupation of Palestinian lands as well, for as we’ve learned over the last 2 decades, the US/Israel are incapable and/or unwilling to end the oppression of millions of innocents.
5. We try not to repeat old mistakes
Damir ,   Russia   (08.23.07)
It was a mistake to give away for free arms to Syria (and Egypt too). It was a mistake to punish Israel for its ties with US and Western World. Also mistake was pushing the Red Star to Israelis as they already have had a Blue one. Stalin was most angry for that sixty years ago. Speaking of War of Independence, didn't Soviet Union support the State of Israel in the direst moment? This is only to show a complete inconsistence of Communist foreign policy. So time is ripe to discuss our common future. Current Russia just cannot afford any confrontations with Israel, a large percent of which speaks Russian. One potential point of growth might be found in aviation industry.
6. Russia is a great nation that has contributed much to arts
Rivkah   (08.23.07)
music and literature. Let us not forget that Alexander Solzinitzen who spent many years a prisoner in Siberia preferred to live in Russia rather than America. He described his objections to America as this: "Bad music, bad manners, bad morals." Many of the people of Russia have propered under President Putin and I would not want to see the destruction of most of the Russian military which will happen if Russia (Magog) attacks Israel, leading a coalition of Moslem nations the Prophet Ezekiel described.
7. Russian Jews
Johann Haefliger ,   Sion / Switzerland   (08.23.07)
I've long been looking for signs that US hegemony, which caused havoc in the ME, will finally come to an end. Unfortunately Israel will have to pay dearly for her too close association with the US, for her sucking the American nipples. Give Jews from Russia the right place in Israel, they will know how to deal with the new Russia raising her head!
8. Putin is not Bush`s "Boy".
Nora ,   Tel Aviv   (08.23.07)
There we go again. Bush wants to castrate Russia. Putin wants to show them what Russia has. The result? Coooold war again.
9. Russia is weak with dangerous toys
Andrew ,   SF, USA   (08.24.07)
Russia is actually weak and falling apart - their population is dwindling and mortality rate rising. They are corrupt and destined to fall apart But they are dangerous and always have been. They think in zero sum terms that stipulate anyone's gain is their loss. They have no friends anywhere, only enemies and accomodations. The only reason they imagine themselves to have any power is raw materials and dangerous weapons. They are not a power equal. They are not an economic equal. They are a country with nuclear weapons and a government that does not hesitate to murder its own citizens or yours (not just Chechens but journalists and others). What scares me more is that they don't need weapon sales thanks to oil, but when oil prices drop (as they inevitably will), Russia will sell arms to anyone.
10. Russia as a superpower?
Robert Tilden   (08.24.07)
Russia might want to think of herself as a superpower but the numbers just don't add up. In reality there are three superpowers and Russia isnt even the next in line. The USA is still the sole real superpower. In the second tier are the EU and China. After these are clearly India and Japan. Russia might be the next one after that, but I'm not even sure of that. The Facts: Presently the USA is spread out over more than 100 countries militarily, the US navy is deployed over every time zone there is. No other country is even close. An economic worry on Wall Street gets amplified around the world within hours. The Chinese stock market a few months ago crashed 10% in a single day, that had echos around the world. Europe competes with the US on a few fronts, Boing / Airbus, there are major Wuropean and Japanse compaies such as Beyer, Toyota and Shell. Has anyone heard of the Russian stock exchange? Iran is dependent on Russian airplanes and suffers the worst air safty record in the world. While the USA population is growing both from emigration and birth rate, the EU can open its gates and a flood of emigrants are awaiting... The Russian population is dropping, Russians who can, leave. Life expectancy is lower in Russia today than it was 30 years ago. China's population is also dropping and it will be a problem, however the shear size of their population makes this a totally different situation. Russia's wealth low as it, is not braud based, it is dependent on the price of oil, a raw material, this puts it on par with countries like Iran, Venezuela, Saudi Arabia and at its best Australia, none of which are super powers. The EU has regulatory bodies that rival American ones, EU counter parts to the Food and Drug Administration, or when the European Anti Monopoly regulator raised conceres, the likes of Microsoft react. Russia isnt even close. Russia's GDP is 11th in the world, just after Italy. Per Capita they are 82nd, behind Libya and Chile, China is 109th. Superpowers are by definition powers that have following. The EU clearly has the likes of Turkey and North Africa who want to be more and more integrated. All Russia has is Belarus. The Baltic states, Ukrain, Bulgaria, Georgia, and the Islamic central asian republics all are trying to distance themselves from Russia. Even though the Russian do have a developed arms industry, they don't have the market. Countries looking to build up their military arsenal look towards the US, or to build it themselves or Europe or China rather than Russian made arms. The few clients they do have are the 'left overs', a group that have their own agendas. What IS going on now is Russia with the odd balls of the world such as Iran, Syria, Venezuela... getting together, this is more like the non alined group of the cold war than the superpower, and even that is a shadow of the non alianed group. Just because someone says they are a super power doesn't make it so.
11. India a superpower?!?! lol
Please ,   USA   (08.24.07)
India is a superpower?! Have you ever been to india?!?!?! These people worship cows and rats!! India is poor and backward at best!!
12. #4, well there is only one time you have spoken the truth
Danny   (08.24.07)
that was post #43 on: http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3438865,00.html Busted....
13. We need a Russian Israeli as ambassador to Russia and we
RBY ,   Zichron yaakov   (08.24.07)
must try to make them our ally if we can.
14. Russia and China
Brod ,   USA   (08.24.07)
Recently, I saw the Joint Russia and China Military Exercise shown on CCTV. And a Chinese General explained that it was intended to counter Terrorists. Ironically, Russia and China are the main suppliers of weaponry to Islamist-Jihadist states who are sponsors of terrorist organizations in the Middle East and Southern Asia. Russia seems to become more confrontational now because of their perceived threat of the proposed NATO missile defense shield in Eastern Europe. Proposing such a system in Eastern Europe may not be a smart move. Russia feels that they are the target. The West should rethink the rationale and wisdom for such a plan. Rekindling the Cold War is plain stupid. Russia and China, on the other hand, should stop selling arms to belligerent Islamist states as Iran, Syria and Sudan. Iran has threatened to wipe out Israel and is supplying weaponry to terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah, Hamas, Iraqi Thugs, Al Queda, and the Taliban. It is time for the West and the East to find a solution to lessen tension and work together to confront and defeat the common enemy of humanity--Islamist-Jihadist terrorisms, belligerence and Jihadism.
15. #12 you are the Man!
Luis ,   USA   (08.24.07)
No question about it! ZIIIIIiiiiinnng!!!!!!!
16. Usual Blather
Robert ,   New Jersey. USA   (08.24.07)
Mr Knowitall...what an oxymoron! Take away the "Oxy" part and what remains quite effectively describes this fellow. Examples? "Israeli threat to their sovereignty"? To whose sovereignty Is Israel a threat? Who has Israel attacked without provocation? Who has attacked Israel in the past? Well, Egypt, Syria, Jordan, and Hezbollah for starters. Never mind threats of anihillation by Iran. Those who have aggressed against Israel have paid an utterly small price. A few acres of land in the Golan...portions of Judea and Samaria under Israeli control. Israel gave back the Sinai to Egypt for something resembling peace. Iran's rights under the IDF? They include peaceful uses of nuclear power. They do NOT include restrictions on oversight by the IAEA nor the refining of hexafluoride gas to weapons grade, which is underway except to those willfully practicing blindness. For peaceful uses, secrecy is not required. Only a moron would deny that the underground refining operations are to cloak illegal activities. Finally Mr Knowitall/doublespeak has the temerity to accuse Israel and the US of the opression of millions. What merde! If anyone is guilty of oppression, it is the fanatical Muslim and Arabic leaders who have kept their subjects prisoners of a medeival theocracy while Israel and the West bloom with intellectual creativity and prosperity. And to #8, the US does not need to "castrate Russia." Russis has done quite a good enough job by itself. And to those who persist in the chimera that a missile shield in Europe is somehow a threat to Russia, I suppose you feel a raincoat is perceived as a threat by thunderclouds. What inanity!
17. Russia's potential to put a spoke in America's wheels
Johann Haefliger ,   Sion / Switzerland   (08.24.07)
Don't understimate Russia's potential to make band together in international forums those nations which despise the USA and her allies for their domineering, arrogance and lack of tact (China, India and other Asian, Arab, African and South-American countries)! Their influence on world opinion could outweigh America's economical, technological and military power!
18. Keep it to Yourself
Robert ,   New Jersey, USA   (08.25.07)
Mr. Haefliger: We in the US have little respect and patience for international forums where impotent countries wring their hands with 'concern' that Iran is developing a bomb while doing nothing. Nero fiddled while the Barbarians burned Rome. The same idiots who now prattle in sanctimonious outrage because we are capable of backing up our words with action while they fiddle on the UN stage will scream, "Why didn't the US stop Iran while it had the chance," if the US allows Iran's bomb to go off. The US will not sit idly by while the 'civilized world community condemns Israel and us for having the audacity to preserve freedom under attack by the savages of Islamic Fundamentalism. Go ahead and condemn our supposed 'arrogance.' It is your utter impotence on display. We will defend your freedom in spite of yourself, while we defend ours. The arrogance which you attribute to the US belongs to you. It is a flimsy mask for your utter impotence.
19. Proud of Amercian military achievements?
Johann Haefliger ,   Sion / Switzerland   (08.25.07)
I can't quite see how you can be so proud about. American interventions in Vietnam, Afghanistan, Irak are nothing but fiascos. Letting Israel suck her nipples during decades has not favored positive developments in the ME, nor will pumping in more and more money for arms. There's nothing to brag about.
20. #17, oh pur-lease
Danny   (08.25.07)
So India and China are going to stand against the US - their largest markets by far? We had this scenario for 50 years and guess what the Russians lost. If you weren't up in your Swiss Ivory Tower then you be aware of this and the fact that next to no one cares about US "arrogance".
21. Has Russia begun an undeclared war on America?
Rivkah   (08.29.07)
Dairy farmers near Fallon, Nevada, had to dump their milk because it is contaminated with radioacitve polonium-210. Twenty five wells east of Reno, Nevada, are contaminated with polonium-210. This was reported in the Fallon, Nevada, newspaper in August. Polonium-210 is an unusual radioactive isotope, but was used by Russians on a Russian in Britain who died from it in a teapot at a hotel restaurant. How many wells in America have been poisoned? How many in Israel?
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