Comments on: What does Russia really think of Obama? http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/11/19/russia-and-obama/ Tue, 22 Dec 2009 04:00:12 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Andy, Kazakhstan http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/11/19/russia-and-obama/comment-page-1/#comment-467493 Andy, Kazakhstan Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:26:56 +0000 http://cnnac360.wordpress.com/?p=16850#comment-467493 Russia is facing a very deep economic crisis, much much worse than that in the US or Europe. Mostly due to the policies that Putin's government exercised during the past 8 years, which include intimidating and blackmailing the business community, illegal redistribution of wealth, creating a massive corrupt system of government that hinders healthy economic growth. The only reason Russian economy hasn't collapsed yet is that the oil prices were extremely high during all of Putin's years in power. If oil and commodity prices keep going down (which is the most likely scenario), many large companies will face bankruptcy or have to cut production. There will be massive lay-offs, high inflation and what not.. This can lead to social unrest and the current government can't provide an appropriate response. If however the Russians have somebody else to focus their anger on, it might just help Putin/Medvedev avoid or at least postpone disaster. Medvedev has already laid all the blame for the ongoing financial crisis on US in his last national address and is prepared to act agressively at the first opportunity. If the US president is not careful enough, he will trigger the escalation of animosity and rekindle the armament drive. Thanks to Bush's foreign policies, it was quite easy for Putin to portray the US as the Evil Empire. Russians are terribly lucky that McCain lost - he would certainly restart the cold war. I beleive Obama can turn things around. If he manages to persuade the Russian people that America is not an enemy, Medvedev will have to find ways to deal with the domestic problems in a new way and initiate a real domocratic reform. It might just so happen that Obama will bring change to Russian politics as well. Russia is facing a very deep economic crisis, much much worse than that in the US or Europe. Mostly due to the policies that Putin's government exercised during the past 8 years, which include intimidating and blackmailing the business community, illegal redistribution of wealth, creating a massive corrupt system of government that hinders healthy economic growth. The only reason Russian economy hasn't collapsed yet is that the oil prices were extremely high during all of Putin's years in power.

If oil and commodity prices keep going down (which is the most likely scenario), many large companies will face bankruptcy or have to cut production. There will be massive lay-offs, high inflation and what not.. This can lead to social unrest and the current government can't provide an appropriate response. If however the Russians have somebody else to focus their anger on, it might just help Putin/Medvedev avoid or at least postpone disaster. Medvedev has already laid all the blame for the ongoing financial crisis on US in his last national address and is prepared to act agressively at the first opportunity.

If the US president is not careful enough, he will trigger the escalation of animosity and rekindle the armament drive. Thanks to Bush's foreign policies, it was quite easy for Putin to portray the US as the Evil Empire. Russians are terribly lucky that McCain lost – he would certainly restart the cold war. I beleive Obama can turn things around. If he manages to persuade the Russian people that America is not an enemy, Medvedev will have to find ways to deal with the domestic problems in a new way and initiate a real domocratic reform. It might just so happen that Obama will bring change to Russian politics as well.

]]> By: Joanne, Syracuse, NY http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/11/19/russia-and-obama/comment-page-1/#comment-467456 Joanne, Syracuse, NY Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:34:31 +0000 http://cnnac360.wordpress.com/?p=16850#comment-467456 Putin is the same brand of communist as he always purported to be. When Bush looked into his eyes, he should have seen the lust for power ..and the university students are militant and behind his brand of SS power. The bottom line with Russia is now oil....look at their bordering countries...and question, are they taking part in the anti-American issues on Russia's borders? in South America? Putin is the same brand of communist as he always purported to be. When Bush looked into his eyes, he should have seen the lust for power ..and the university students are militant and behind his brand of SS power. The bottom line with Russia is now oil....look at their bordering countries...and question, are they taking part in the anti-American issues on Russia's borders? in South America?

]]> By: Bev http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/11/19/russia-and-obama/comment-page-1/#comment-467403 Bev Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:49:58 +0000 http://cnnac360.wordpress.com/?p=16850#comment-467403 I have absolutely no worries about Obama handling foreign affair matters. At least we know he won't send our soldiers, sailors and Marines into harm's way on a trumped excuse. I have absolutely no worries about Obama handling foreign affair matters. At least we know he won't send our soldiers, sailors and Marines into harm's way on a trumped excuse.

]]> By: earle,florida http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/11/19/russia-and-obama/comment-page-1/#comment-467379 earle,florida Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:21:43 +0000 http://cnnac360.wordpress.com/?p=16850#comment-467379 The Russian people are brillant, and very adaptable,and have been very co-operative in the past 10-20 years. But, when the US says that the Non- Nuclear Proliferation Treaty two/three years ago is now null-n-void to a country that has followed, and played by the rules is a bit of a stretch/shocker! Also the US selling nuclear supplements to India ,a country who adamently refused to stop their nuclear program was a slap in the face(six months ago). But ,to say that Russia provoked the recent war in Georgia ,was the final straw. Finally, you can't blame the Russian's for their ill-feeling towards the US sincereity in placing nuclear-head missles on their satillite borders with such a lame excuse by the Bush Administration? This should be a No-Brainer for Obama to patch-up relationships with a country," that really has fondly embraced democracy". The Russian people are brillant, and very adaptable,and have been very co-operative in the past 10-20 years. But, when the US says that the Non- Nuclear Proliferation Treaty two/three years ago is now null-n-void to a country that has followed, and played by the rules is a bit of a stretch/shocker! Also the US selling nuclear supplements to India ,a country who adamently refused to stop their nuclear program was a slap in the face(six months ago). But ,to say that Russia provoked the recent war in Georgia ,was the final straw. Finally, you can't blame the Russian's for their ill-feeling towards the US sincereity in placing nuclear-head missles on their satillite borders with such a lame excuse by the Bush Administration? This should be a No-Brainer for Obama to patch-up relationships with a country," that really has fondly embraced democracy".

]]> By: Sergei Daghlovsky http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/11/19/russia-and-obama/comment-page-1/#comment-467299 Sergei Daghlovsky Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:30:08 +0000 http://cnnac360.wordpress.com/?p=16850#comment-467299 It's a catch-22 situation where the Americans refuse to budge unless the Russians make a conciliatory gesture first. In a situation where 'who blinks first' loses, neither party wins. I hope that the Obama administration will go beyond mere rhetoric and engage in real diplomacy with the Russians. Neither party should expect the other to be the 'weaker party'. That's what the Russians and Americans both detest immensely. The only possible outcome of such an attitude would be a continual deadlock and instability for the region. It's a catch-22 situation where the Americans refuse to budge unless the Russians make a conciliatory gesture first. In a situation where 'who blinks first' loses, neither party wins. I hope that the Obama administration will go beyond mere rhetoric and engage in real diplomacy with the Russians. Neither party should expect the other to be the 'weaker party'. That's what the Russians and Americans both detest immensely. The only possible outcome of such an attitude would be a continual deadlock and instability for the region.

]]> By: Annie Kate http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/11/19/russia-and-obama/comment-page-1/#comment-467270 Annie Kate Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:53:16 +0000 http://cnnac360.wordpress.com/?p=16850#comment-467270 I think the Russians will find that Obama will give them a fairer shake and a more open ear than any of our recent presidents. If Russia comes to the table willing to begin a friendship with the US I think Obama will respond in kind. <a href="http://anniekatec.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Annie Kate</a> Birmingham AL I think the Russians will find that Obama will give them a fairer shake and a more open ear than any of our recent presidents. If Russia comes to the table willing to begin a friendship with the US I think Obama will respond in kind.

Annie Kate
Birmingham AL

]]> By: Joanne in Ontario Canada http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/11/19/russia-and-obama/comment-page-1/#comment-467262 Joanne in Ontario Canada Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:37:50 +0000 http://cnnac360.wordpress.com/?p=16850#comment-467262 Russia can flip flop all they want regarding their opinion of Obama, but Russia had better put on their armored suits, because when Barack Obama takes power the Russions won't know what hit them. Canadians for Obama! Russia can flip flop all they want regarding their opinion of Obama, but Russia had better put on their armored suits, because when Barack Obama takes power the Russions won't know what hit them.

Canadians for Obama!

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