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Georgia through Russian Eyes
atimes.com — "The image of an embattled pro-Western democracy resisting an authoritarian Russian regime dominates American airwaves. Yet, as so many popular beliefs, this image, which was accurate several years ago, has turned into a stereotype which misinforms - rather than informs - policy."
apeywoo- 23 diggs
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- onyxcoltrane, on 08/20/2008, -0/+6FTA: In Georgia, Russian leaders see a regime that controls the economy and public life. It uses the image of an external enemy to consolidate power. When President Mikheil Saakashvili subdued the only independent TV channel, Imedi, he took a leaf from Putin's book of 2001-2003. Saakashvili went even further - he used the army to disperse opposition rallies. The Kremlin was able to prevent demonstrations from ever occurring. When Putin looks at Saakashvili, it is like looking in a mirror - the image is the same, but younger, from the time when Putin was just building his powerbase during his first term. This is probably why he hates Saakashvili so much - the reflection is not very flattering.
Russian leaders are also profoundly irritated because in the West Saakashvili gets away with things for which the Russians are chastised. They do not think it is fair and put the blame on the West, and particularly on the Americans. They also hate Saakashvili's skills in manipulating the West. - FrankHope, on 08/20/2008, -0/+2NATO is an anachronism. For a country like Ukraine joining the European Union makes much more sense, but what could possibly be the benefit of joining NATO?
- JagPop, on 08/20/2008, -6/+1Buried.
- SoyJames, on 08/21/2008, -0/+1Dugg.
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