Putin’s Authoritarian Steamroll in Russia
The groundwork for the extended — perhaps eternal — Putin regime of the future has been laid.
All Vladimir Putin wanted for Christmas was power eternal. And all he needed were 142 elves — who bear a striking resemblance to dutiful federation council senators — to bring that gift closer to reality.
Last Monday, the entire upper house of parliament voted to extend the Russian presidential term from four years to six years, a move recommended by President Dmitry Medvedev in his annual November address. But really, you didn’t think the “reform” was meant for Medvedev, did you? Or that anything occurring behind the walls of the Kremlin is intended to extend the reign of this Putin-anointed technocrat?
Putin not only has crafted the prime minister’s post into a more powerful position, but he wants to return to the presidency — and have fewer vocal enemies, too. Carefully laying out the groundwork for the extended Putin regime of the future, pro-Kremlin Duma members have handily advanced a bill that could categorize dissent as treason — disrupting the “constitutional order” of the country, for one. And a bill has already been passed eliminating jury trials for treason suspects.
A few whacks of the baton, into the police car, into the court, disappear. Or just disappear. So seems the way of the future for Russia’s opposition. Coincidentally, it’s also the way of the past.
Earlier this month, the Russian opposition coalesced into a movement taking the name of the successful anti-communist trade movement years ago in Poland: Solidarity. The movement takes shape as economic troubles in Russia set the stage for growing discontent with the current government, a prospect for grander protests that clearly has the Putin crew concerned. In addition to the now-expected jamming of opposition Web sites, Moscow sent riot police to the Pacific coast of the country to beat Vladivostok residents who were protesting the Russian version of a domestic auto-industry bailout: hike tariffs on imported used cars so that the price of a trusty Toyota skyrockets as much as 50 percent, thereby “encouraging” Russians to support their Volga and Lada dealers.
And as suicides among the economically depressed increase, Russia responds not with counselors but by reportedly moving Internal Forces troops to cities hit hardest by layoffs, and thus more likely to demonstrate. Though Gennady Gudkov, the deputy chair of the State Duma Security Committee, told newspaper Nezavisimaya Gazeta, “It could happen that no amount of Internal Forces will be enough.”
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Bridget Johnson is the online opinion editor, an opinion writer, and a blogger at the Rocky Mountain News.
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19 Comments
1. kabud:putin and medvedev are only facade figures with limited knowledge of policy and not a major policy makers
they both are just the announcers of policies, nothing more, a talking heads who are delivering over the TV and meeting the press and foreign politicians
country is ruled by a `collective leadership` that basically consists of high ranking KGB and military officers
misunderstanding of power structure in kremlin leads to misreading of their intentions and failures in American policies towards them
Dec 28, 2008 - 5:09 am 2. Brian Richard Allen:It could indeed happen that, “… no amount of Internal Forces will be enough” — and soon will.
As soon as the world’s other psychopathologically predatory wannabe bigshots (but instead about-to-be in a dire financial and monetary mess) Pekings’ putrid pack of piranhas, start casting around for scapegoats against which to vent their soon to be reduced to poverty-stricken masses’ hatred and rage.
And, forever frustrated by their inability to cross the straights and invade the Free Republic of China’s Taiwan, turn instead to the lands to their north, like all of Russia is “defended” by only the drunken, decadent, degenerate and dying and — beginning with the recapture of old China’s former North East Territories — quickly capitalize on the ease with which they achieve that objective and allow their forces’ inertia to propel them right across soon to be Sino-Siberia.
Poor pathetic KGB puke Putin’s pretending to Russian “greatness” is nothing but that and — just as certainly as Siberia and all of Eastern Russia will be lost within five years — so will Putin be reduced to being just another Switzerland-or-Singapore or similar launderer of ill-gotten-gains-dwelling former Russian Mafioso!
Putin’s much-vaunted “Authoritarian Steamroll” is on the road to the Bridge to Nowhere.
Brian Richard Allen
Dec 28, 2008 - 5:11 am 3. Kim Zigfeld:Los Angeles – CalifUBAMAcated 90028 — & the Far Abroad
One can’t help but be disappointed to see Barack Obama remaining silent while all this occurs. Craven folks on the left like those at the New York Times are urging him to make appeasement deals with Putin that would allow him to run roughshod over the people of Russia and create a neo-Soviet juggernaut if only he he’ll help contain Iran.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/27/opinion/27sat2.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=editorial%20putin%20russia&st=cse
How leftists are able to rationalize encouraging the growth of fascism within Russia is beyond me, and it certainly does not speak well of Obama’s commitment to his claimed principles.
What’s even more outrageous, though, is Obama’s silence in the face of horrific acts of race violence in Russia, which in recent weeks have even included an attack on an African-American.
http://larussophobe.wordpress.com/2008/12/20/editorial-mr-obama-how-dare-you-stand-mute-on-russian-racism/
One can only hope that Obama will arise from his slumber before it is too late. One wonderful step he could take would be to appoint John McCain ambassador to Russia. That would send the proper message that America is not going to to make the same mistakes all over again where neo-Soviet Russia is concerned.
Dec 28, 2008 - 6:18 am 4. Stephen Thiel:Putin is simply the captain on a sinking ship. Plunging commodity prices, the plummeting ruble, and the collapse of his economic house-of-cards will do him in. Russia is a 3rd-rate country, with the GDP of Greece! Granted, they can make a lot of trouble in the world, but their future is one of crushing poverty.
Dec 28, 2008 - 7:23 am 5. kabud:McCain lost a Presidential bid because he wanted to lose.
Most likely he got scared and was blackmailed
If you remember just before he announced Palin name
two letters with powder were sent to McCain and Florida governor Christ who was a very likely appointee for a running mate
Letters were sent out by an Muslim jailed at one of the American prisons: a typical KGB way of doing things so the tracks are perfectly covered
McCain is a coward, God forbid he would stay in politics long
His campaign was designed in a way that he will lose it
We are not sure about OBAMA real situation
It is plausible that FBI got a lot on him and will keep him on a short leash so he will not do any damage to the Republic
As a narcissist he will only be serving only himself
So his handlers- and I hope they are our people in FBI and on the right-
should explain to him how he will succeed if America will succeed
That was an optimistic scenario.
A pessimistic one will go like this:
1.Israel attacks on Gaza and war in Kashmir will trigger Iran involvement as well
2.ME oil will be locked by the war in the region
3.US recession will deeper dramatically, fuel shortages will create disturbances on US territories
4.A devastating terror attack on inauguration day may destroy most of the US command line
5.Russian missiles strike targets in USA
Dec 28, 2008 - 7:29 am 6. Steve J. Nelson:I think the shoddy speculation that passes for informed comment here is embarassing, kind of like the Washington Post’s reporting on non-existent poisoning cases or their quiet backing away from their hero Saakashvili when he was exposed as a war criminal.
What I want to know is why in the world you guys all seem to be rooting for Russia to get weaker and collapse. Do you think that is a world to wish for? Is your Russophobia so pathological that any said collapse is said to be better than the status quo? Do you remember the 1990s and the Chechen war culminating in Beslan? Do you think Russia’s natural resources will be better exploited under Chinese management? Do you really think Saakashvili is a model democrat and not simply a U.S.-supported client, or as FDR would have put it “our sonuvabitch” in the great game of the Caucases? Have any of you been paying attention to anything beyond what would simply confirm your Cold War predjudices?
Dec 28, 2008 - 10:34 am 7. Stefan van der Borght:Watch out! The Russians still have all the nasty toys from the Soviet days, plus some new ones, and are more likely than ever to use them…and the signs of the times are crystal clear. And now that the “useful idiots” planted deeply in all places of power around the world have done their job, just watch the prophesied show unfold. When the time comes, don’t take the mark!
Luke 21:25-27
Dec 28, 2008 - 12:51 pm 8. Bogdan of Australia:25 And there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars; and upon the earth [there will be] distress (trouble and anguish) of nations in bewilderment and perplexity [without resources, left wanting, embarrassed, in doubt, not knowing which way to turn] at the roaring (the echo) of the tossing of the sea,
26 Men swooning away or expiring with fear and dread and apprehension and expectation of the things that are coming on the world; for the [very] powers of the heavens will be shaken and caused to totter.
27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with great (transcendent and overwhelming) power and [all His kingly] glory (majesty and splendor).
#5 Steve JNothinson; sorry mate but you simply don’t understand. Nobody is really rooting for Russia to collapse. It is collapse of her despicable, barbaric Neo-Soviet regime that we all are rooting for. I have lived in that barbaric system (Communism) for the best part of my life and despite our burning hatred of Soviets and their equally repulsive Communist vassals there have NEVER been any real hatred or animosity towards the Russians themselves as we understood perfectly that the Russkies have been even more unlucky than us. We all wish Ruskiess well but we want them to get rid of that cancerous body of Putin-Medviediev together with their cohorts. Only the totally blind is unable to see that it is Putin-Medviediev criminal gang that has screwed Russia while blaming the US for their own incompetence and outright theft. Didn’t you know that the Soviets used to blame the US throughout the entire period of the Soviet Union’s existence? By blaming the US for their own demise Putin-Medviediev gang are just recycling an old propaganda tool they have pulled from their own Stalinist cloakian ditch.
Dec 28, 2008 - 6:27 pm 9. Roger Godby:Good on ya, Bogdan!
I would love to see Russia succeed as a liberal (classical non-US sense) democracy, one from which people, especially the women, don’t want to flee. It’s sad that I have yet to meet a Russian who wasn’t a deep cynic, although every Russian I’ve met has been interesting and often (surprisingly) friendly.
Dec 29, 2008 - 4:27 am 10. Alice Finkel:Russia is a depressed country to its very soul. Almost all Russians are worn out, depressed, suicidal. Look at the rates of alcoholism, suicide, AIDS, Tuberculosis, low birth rates, emigration …. Those who have the confidence and ability to make it in the free world have fled or are planning to flee.
The ghost of the old Soviet Empire still lives and breathes in Putin and his band of ghouls. That ghost is what enlightened observers wish to see destroyed, so that a free Russia can begin to grow in the hearts of the Russian people. Otherwise, Russia shrinks to nothing and is overrun by its southern neighbors.
Dec 29, 2008 - 7:56 am 11. kabud:to 10. Alice Finkel:
you should not EVER put an equal sign between bloody rulers in kremlin and Russian people
the regime there is based on
2.3 million KGB force
2.5 million police force
1.7 million military force
On top of that there probably at least 10 million if not 20 of different bureaucrats employed by state
All those armies of parasites and professional thugs is payed from around 300 billion a year oil, gas and other raw materials exports that is basically stolen from future russian generations if any will come of course:
looks like kremlin course is to cut the population to the level of not more then 20 million in the coming decades
Dec 29, 2008 - 9:20 am 12. Genecis:Eastern Siberia is the Chinese “pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.” Whatever/whoever survives Putin in Russia will someday have to deal with that. I’d be depressed too.
Dec 29, 2008 - 9:21 am 13. kabud:Russia has
-an open border with China,
-up to $10 billion annual arms trade with them depending on how you calculate purchasing parity it could be $50 billion,
-almost the same political system
-long lasting agreement on military union against the USA including intensive cooperation of the intelligence services for many decades
De facto we should see them as a UNIFIED REGIME.
In their strategic unity Russia provides and balances China with :
-enormous strategic arm forces: tens of thousands of nuclear weapons,
-enormous numbers of missiles of different ranges including intercontinental
-the largest stockpile ob biological weapons and possibly chemical
So China will never dare to act aggressively towards Kremlin untill they face a common enemy: USA
Here, from the news of today:
Russia-China military links have moved beyond arms sales in recent years to incorporate joint anti-terrorism drills and border protection exercises. Much of that progress has come within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, a loose alliance of Central Asian states dominated by Beijing and Moscow.
In contrast, military-to-miliary ties between Beijing and Washington have hit a recent low following China’s reported suspension of some senior-level visits and other planned exchanges, announced earlier this month to the Pentagon but not publicly confirmed by Chinese officials.
An agreement was announced for a hot line between the Pentagon and China’s Defense Ministry in Beijing, but progress on setting it up appears to have stalled.
reported by AP
Dec 29, 2008 - 12:44 pm 14. Steve J. Nelson:Why do Kim Zigfeld’s sock puppets (like Dave Essel) always pretend to be Australian? The language (”neo-Soviet”, Putin’s Russia somehow = Communist) is all the same. I would just like to know who the anonymous blogging collective known as La Russophobe/Kim Zigfeld actually is, how long they actually lived in Russia if at all, and how they feel about slandering real people using their real names.
At any rate, it’s irrelevant. Russia may get a lot worse but it won’t collapse, and anyone rooting for it to do so they can repeat the 90s sale of the century (or do you think it was a coincidence that global commodity prices tanked in 98′ when oligarchs were selling oil and metals at below world market prices to their Western partners, such as George Soros?) is going to be disappointed. Russia went bankrupt in 1998 because the oligarchs sold off its resources dirt cheap and transferred all the money offshore, thus it could not collect taxes, could not pay wages, and this spiral went on for several years under Yeltsin until the collapse. Putin saw all of that and resolved not to allow it to happen again. Say what you will about his other failures (buying $50 billion of Fannie and Freddie paper with Stabilization Fund money may have been one, since that money didn’t go into Russian infrastructure, but into U.S. Treasuries and other “safe” but fruitless assets) but at least there has been no repeat of 1998 even as oil prices and stock markets melted down. How about Iceland, Hungary, and other liberal democracies that are NATO members? They are in effect bankrupt.
I don’t deny that the biggest threat to the health and long term security of Russia are the Russian people themselves. But I also don’t take the Stalinist attitude that if they don’t live up to my (and your) expectations of liberal democracy, that they deserve to die off already, which is the Kim Zigfeld attitude. This is a totalitarian attitude – you either adopt Western style democracy now, or else.
Democracy has only been imposed at the point of a bayonet in maybe two extraordinary cases, three at the most. It certainly was no in the cards because Russia in 1991 was not even close to being as subjugated as Japan and Germany. Gorbachev (and the faction that the late Patriarch Alexy of blessed memory backed) simply wanted the end of the Cold War without having their noses rubbed in their defeat through the expansion of a military alliance they were excluded from to the Kremlin walls. To say that Russia today is governed by an alumni of KGB men is to miss the point. Of course they were all KGB, but the KGB by the perestroika era had already turned to the pursuit of making money, and during the 90s when oligarchs armies and proxies were killing eachother they were the only ones people could trust for their “kryshe” (roof), so the KGB alumnis govern by default.
What exactly you people think will follow some sort of “colored revolution” over there, I have no idea. Even under the pro-Western Yeltsin the Russians never would have tolerated the U.S. putting missile defense systems in their front yard (more or less, to justify the system itself by provoking the Russians into a stupid response, like putting cruise missiles in Kaliningrad) or NATO (particularly German) troops in Ukraine, a country to which 20-30% of the Russian population has blood ties and vice versa. You might as well ask Americans how they feel about a Chinese alliance with Mexico and Venezuela, since you know, to echo the Condi Rice hardline, they’re sovereign nations too. They can do what they want. If Cuba wants a Chinese radar that can track objects into outer space and every aircraft over the U.S. from the East Coast to the Rockies (the equivalent of our brain fryer radar planned for Poland), why the hell not? These are the consequences of a stupid, pointless antagonizing of Russia that does nothing to make us the slightest bit safer.
It is doubtful that an overthrow of the Putin-Medvedev regime would somehow bring about something better for Russia. In fact, at that point, you might at that point see real fascism and exclusion of foreigners, and not the alleged sort or cases of skinhead violence in the streets we keep hearing about. Better to keep a struggling Czar who acknowledges and implements some liberal reforms, however painfully slow they may be in a country where everyone tries to steal as much as they can, than to throw him out and the end up with a new gang of Bolsheviks. Putting it all on Putin as if Putin were a saint Russia would be a utopia is utopian thinking. And pretending that Putin has the time or the inclination to sit up there and plot every single new stupid piece of legislation or persecute some dissident is silly.
If you really do care about the future of the world in the mid-21st century and beyond, pray that Russians start popping out more kids and that Putin/Medvedev double or triple the baby money allotment. As we’re seeing in Greece now, no babies = no bucks. The nationalist group around Putin at least wants to save their country. If they have to closely align with the Russian Orthodox Church, whether some are sincere belivers or just want some national ideology, so be it. It’s hilarious to me that they are accused of reviving the “neo-Soviet Union” at the same time as being Czarist and obscurantist. It’s like the idiotic remark by Glenn Beck that Putin has banned all non-Orthodox churches while “Putin” is building mosques. One might as well say that Sarkozy is closing Catholic churches and building mosques and it’s Sarkozy’s fault that France is turning Muslim and Catholics are dying out. But such is just another example of the idiocy that passes for informed comment on Russia these days.
Dec 29, 2008 - 1:29 pm 15. Kim Zigfeld:KABUD:
I think have it exactly wrong. If you won’t call the people of Russia to account for their misdeeds (supporting Putin and his draconian crackdown on civil society, or turning a blind eye to it, and refusing to demand that the Kremlin spend windfall oil revenues on national welfare rather than cold war) then you can’t expect them to behave responsibly or affect reform.
Russia is the way it is because of the people of Russia. They informed on their neighbors, or turned a blind eye as others did so, during the time of Stalin, and they are continuing to do so now — in no small part because confused people like you rationalize their behavior.
Time is running out for the Russians. A third national collapse within a century is in the offing, and this one could be fatal. Russian people must demand reform, as Alice correctly states: “Otherwise, Russia shrinks to nothing and is overrun by its southern neighbors.”
Dec 29, 2008 - 1:31 pm 16. Steve J. Nelson:Kim, you still won’t answer my question. I think that says it all for anyone who cares to read your stuff over here why you hide.
“Why do Kim Zigfeld’s sock puppets (like Dave Essel) always pretend to be Australian? The language (”neo-Soviet”, Putin’s Russia somehow = Communist) is all the same. I would just like to know who the anonymous blogging collective known as La Russophobe/Kim Zigfeld actually is, how long they actually lived in Russia if at all, and how they feel about slandering real people using their real names.”
Dec 30, 2008 - 11:54 am 17. TomF:In the article reference was made to Mikhail Gorbachev. It is about time that the West understands that Mikhail Gorbachev has zero influence in Russia. When he ran for President in the 1990’s he received less than 1 tenth of a percent (unprecedented for a former leader with household name recognition). He is a favorite scape goat for the demise of the Soviet Union and all the problems that followed. That all could be forgiven, but what cannot be forgiven is that during his leadership he enacted prohibition. You could imagine how well the Russians took to having their Vodka taken away. There was a great shortage of sugar during that time due to all the “Samogonka”, homebrew, Moonshine operations. Don’t get me wrong, I may or we may agree with him, but it really doesn’t matter. It is the people of Russia that need to agree with him to make any difference.
Jan 1, 2009 - 1:36 am 18. Cybergeezer:Funny thing; The title for this article has already been used in the U.S.; It reads; “Obama’s Authoritarian Steamroll in America”.
Jan 2, 2009 - 6:57 am 19. Steve J. Nelson:Another chuckle is, He’s not even in office yet; His Congress is in power and making all the moves for Him.
Right you are Mr. Cybergeezer. When you start criticizing Putin for nationalizing some of the Russian oil industry and for demanding that Ukrainians pay 85% of the rate for Russian natural gas as Germans and Italians currently pay (which apparently is “using energy as a weapon” in Kim Zigfeld’s world), just remember that Bush and the Democrat Congress just nationalized 20% of the U.S. economy in the banking system and Obama wants to nationalize another 10% in the healthcare system, which is already quasi socialist.
Let’s get our house in order first before trying to save Russia from the Russians and save Georgia from Saakashvili’s folly, as Kim Zigfeld proposes to do.
Jan 5, 2009 - 11:35 am