Article

2006-02-19 Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia

Archived material is restricted to Rantburg regulars and members. If you need access email fred.pruitt=at=gmail.com with your nick to be added to the members list. There is no charge to join Rantburg as a member.

Posted by Dan Darling 2006-02-19 05:06|| || Front Page|| [3 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 Remember that Russian diplomacy is very, very old, and taht they are big on learning from diplomatic history. However, there are some constants to their diplomatic efforts that need to be remembered.

First is that they are sticklers for the letter of treaties, but violate the heck out of the spirit of them. They see nothing wrong in this and often don't object when others do it.

Second, that when they are in the middle, they both seek to profit from that position, and they seek to remain in that position by not altering the balance of power. That is, they may provide an imbalance to seemingly favor one side, but it will not be effective. Such as the advanced radar they are now providing Iran.

Third, they have a deep understanding of the Asiatic concept of "face", so prefer a mutually less than satisfactory outcome to a clear win and loss.

Fourth, they can sometimes clear obstacles that neither side can remove themselves. For example, sneaking the WMDs out of Iraq solved many problems. It stopped intentional or accidental use; it stopped US WMD retaliation; and it avoided much embarassment to those countries that provided the WMD parts and chemicals in the first place.

Fifth, their dual European and Asiatic natures can sometimes work in breaking up diplomatic logjams. If one of their personalities doesn't work, they switch to the other.

Posted by Anonymoose 2006-02-19 08:25|| 2006-02-19 08:25|| Front Page Top

23:50 Sherry
23:49 3dc
23:31 trailing wife
23:27 2b
23:20 Old Patriot
23:03 Barbara Skolaut
22:40 Chuck Simmins
22:25 Frank G
22:22 Robert Crawford
22:20 Robert Crawford
22:20 Bomb-a-rama
22:03 Iblis
22:03 SR-71
22:00 Robert Crawford
21:59 Robert Crawford
21:56 Monsieur Moonbat
21:56 Robert Crawford
21:56 Robert Crawford
21:54 SR-71
21:52 phil_b
21:45 Besoeker
21:43 Besoeker
21:37 JosephMendiola
21:32 JosephMendiola