(September 11, 2013 at 9:41 pm)The Germans are coming Wrote: It is a loss domesticaly. Russian state media, Russian political campains and every single action undertaken by representatives of the united Russia party that concerns foreign countries constantly circles arround threats and hate tirades against foreigners. Be it the US, Poland or Nato. To not negotiate with anyone and to not get involved into any talks with any foreign power was more than just a policy in Russia but a question of image.
Trust me on this, hardly a country in the world has become that xenophobic as Russia, partly through Putin and partly through the resurgance of orthodox christian conservatism. To talk with foreigners, especialy westerners and to make them the offer of weakening a ally, will not come down well on the vast majority of the Russian population.
What would have served the Russian goverment best would have been a total Western retreat out of the matter, leaving Assad to do whatever he wants, with what he wants and with whatever help he gets from whom. In short, macho non compromise.
What would serve Russian government best is for advanced aliens to land in red square and give Russia exclusive access to 92nd century technology.
But not having the luck of meeting such aliens, russia and Putin did very well under the circumstances to aggrandize Russia and expand Russian influence against an infinitely wealthier west.
It is folly to think dictators and tyrants must be self-serving and interested solely in protecting their personal power and wealth. In fact Putin has exhibited a remarkably cool, agile and purposeful focus on reasserting Russia's dominant role in the traditional Russian sphere of influence.
