Russia’s Vladimir Putin Changes Course Of History
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Russia’s Vladimir Putin Changes Course Of History
The western (Anglo-American) domination of the last two centuries will end, and the unipolar world order based upon this domination will change into a multipolar world order.
By Dr. Sawraj Singh
When Vladimir Putin became President of Russia and decided to move Russia away from the West and towards the East, I predicted that he was destined to become the most powerful leader of our time. I feel that Putin will change the course of history. The western (Anglo-American) domination of the last two centuries will end, and the unipolar world order based upon this domination will change into a multipolar world order. In 2013, Forbes magazine declared
Putin the most powerful leader of the world. In 2014, Forbes magazine has again declared Putin the most powerful leader of the world. I feel that Putin has reserved a placed in history as the most powerful leader of our time.
I feel that bringing down the Soviet Union was the biggest blunder of America and the western countries. The fall of the Soviet Union sowed the seeds of the decline and demise of western capitalism. The West and the Soviet Union had divided the world. Each half was under the domination of one of the two superpowers. However, instead of being satisfied with half, America wanted to dominate the whole world. In the process of trying to take the other half, America lost its original half. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, America became overjoyed and over-confident. It became the only superpower of the world. However, American exclusive hegemony was to last for a very little time. After a decade, it started facing problems. America is facing a three-pronged challenge: an economic challenge from China, a military challenge from Russia, and an ideological challenge from Islam.
America and the West have underestimated the anti-American and anti-Western sentiment in Russia. The Russians have very painful memories of the western countries rejoicing at the collapse of the Soviet Union. The West was happy to inflict humiliation after humiliation upon Russia. Putin rose to power because the Russians wanted to regain their rightful status in the world and to settle their scores with the West. This is exactly the same feeling which brought the Chinese Communists to power. For two centuries, the West humiliated, exploited, and looted China. The Chinese people wanted their country to regain its proper status in the world and to make the West realize the injustice and atrocities they committed against China and the Chinese people. The Chinese people felt that the Communists were the only force which could realize their aspirations.
Putin felt that Russia and China had similar, almost parallel experiences with the West. This forms the basis of unity between the countries. In the final analysis, in both countries, true nationalists are in power. The Chinese Communists are more nationalist than traditional Communists. Similarly, Putin represents true Russian nationalism. Nationalists in both countries want to end western domination and American hegemony. They want to change the present unipolar world order to a multipolar world order. Russia and China will stay united until they achieve their objectives. Putin deserves the most credit for bringing the countries together. So long as they are together, they are an unbeatable team. The West simply does not have the manpower or resources to match them.
History has come full circle. First, it was the Soviet Union which collapsed. Now, it is western (Anglo-American) capitalism which is collapsing. The present western capitalism, in the final analysis, is Anglo-American capitalism. Putin’s strategy seems to be two-fold: reducing American influence in the world and marginalizing England in Europe. Putin seems to be succeeding in both of his goals. American policies have failed in Somalia, Libya, Afghanistan, and Iraq. They are failing in Syria, where America is being forced to ally with Iran and Assad against Islamic State (IS). England is facing increasing isolation in Europe. England is losing influence in Europe while Germany and France are gaining influence. It is not inconceivable that England may be thrown out of the European Union.
Ukraine may prove to be the turning point in the European power game. So far, Russia seems to be accomplishing its goals. Putin has raised the stakes. He has warned the West that Russia can use nuclear power if necessary. I feel that the West should take Putin’s warning very seriously. It is not a hollow and empty threat. Russia may be planning a three-leveled nuclear attack. First, attack a peripheral country like Poland and observe the West’s response. Second, attack an important European country like England and observe the American response. Third, attack an American territory outside the mainland, such as Alaska and see if America will go for an all-out nuclear war. An all-out war means mutually-assured destruction. The big if is will America go for an all-out nuclear war with Russia, which in reality will mean committing suicide. I feel Putin is very sure that western capitalism only teaches one to inflict pain and suffering; it does not teach to endure these. Similarly, there is no concept of sacrifice in western capitalism.
As opposed to the western capitalist philosophy of selfishness and greed, which makes endurance and sacrifice almost impossible, the philosophy of nationalism in Russia and China still has these elements. Therefore, the West should take Russian and Chinese threats seriously. Western capitalist policies will be mainly guided by calculations of gain or loss. However, for the nationalists in Russia and China, restoring national prestige and undoing grave injustice, every risk is worth taking. This gives Putin and the Chinese leaders the edge. They can take those risks and take those steps which western leaders cannot. The western leaders could use firebombs and atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki because they knew Japan could not strike back. However, Putin can use nuclear weapons knowing full well that the other side can counterattack. Putin can take the risk.
Forbes magazine, in a way, has recognized Putin’s strength. Western leaders should also recognize their own limitations and their adversary’s strength. This can reduce the risk of a nuclear war. The western capitalists should realize that their system has become outdated in the present world. The world can be only saved if we now have a new world order based upon equality, justice, and mutual respect. Putin’s strength and Russia’s rise should not threaten India. If India gives up its pro-West tilt and becomes strictly neutral and impartial, then Russia can accept a neutral India as its friend. The traditional Russia-India friendship should be revived. India can play a much more constructive role by remaining non-aligned rather than by joining or tilting toward one side.
Dr. Sawraj Singh, MD F.I.C.S. is the Chairman of the Washington State Network for Human Rights and Chairman of the Central Washington Coalition for Social Justice. He can be reached at[email protected].
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