Shameful Performances

Yesterday, Crimean citizens voted in a landslide 95% majority, to secede from Ukraine and align itself with its previous ruling power, Russia. This particular piece of democratic action has been at the center of the global stage since protests climaxed in Ukraine in January. Since then events have continued to escalate, almost setting off a bloody conflict between Russia and Ukraine amidst a myriad of provocations. The Ukrainian government, however, was wildly put off by the secession, and like the United States, Japan, and other western powers refuses to recognize the democratic(that some would argue corrupt) process that took place in this southern coastal region. I find myself haunted by many questions in the aftermath of the vote, with two in particular unable to leave me be. The first is for Vladamir Putin of Moscow’s leadership, I ask: With all the protests outside the Kremlin, and the economic sanctions placed on you by the U.S. and the E.U., was it all worth it? I speculate you miscalculated and now sit with an entire caribou kicking and screaming on your plate rather than the delicious flank you were awaiting. Eat up. And a question for the desk of POTUS, Barack Obama, Is military dominance in the world worth running to the rescue of every European country that experiences strife? And on top of that is it worth our international reputation to turn all red in the face with Russia when our international rhetoric is already filled with lies and double standards(I.e. Russia violates Ukrainian sovereignty, which we proceed condemn, yet we violated Iraq’s among others)? Hypocrisy rarely benefits the international community. -Shivite12

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Putin’s Poker Face

                                        

Let’s be transparent with ourselves reader, we understand Russia’s global image. One of rigidness, adaptation in harsh circumstances, tough demeanor, the list goes on. Let’s face it during this chaos in Ukraine Vladamir Putin’s PR team has been banking on the “tough Russian,” and “non-negotiable James Bond villain,” look. Yet this show of muscle from the Kremlin since the occupation of Crimea has done little to boost international faith in Russia. The Kremlin would do well to ask themselves this: What kind of economic sanctions is Crimea worth, and in the fallout should they choose to dominate the region what will be their next move? -Shivite12

(Title link leads to Daily Beast article discussing the risks Russia undertakes with their decision to occupy Crimea)