By Dr. Sawraj Singh
Russia can significantly change the power equations in the world. At present, there are three areas which are the hottest points of contention, with any one of them having the potential of escalating the confrontation to a decisive war for the fate of the western capitalist system. These are: South Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. A defeat in any of these areas will probably act as the final blow for the western capitalist system, which is already on the verge of collapse. Russia can play a crucial role in changing the balance of power in the world.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the West and India had written the Russians off from the global power game. India, which was one of the closest friends of Russia, quickly switched sides and embraced America. This deeply hurt the Russian feelings because they were hoping that India will remain their friend in their hour of need. However, India was more interested to ally with the most powerful country in the world even if it was against the fundamental interests of its people. In India’s calculations, Russia became an insignificant country without any serious chance of playing a decisive role in the world. Therefore, India decided to write Russia off as a serious contender for world power.
With rapidly deteriorating relations between America and Pakistan, and Pakistan moving closer and closer to China, India has decided to move even closer to America. India and America feel that in the equation of America and India versus China and Pakistan, they have the edge. However, if Russia enters this equation, then that can drastically change this equation of power. Will Russia do this? It certainly can do it. This may be the opportunity that Russia has been looking for to settle scores with those who jeered at and made fun of it when the Soviet Union collapsed and those who betrayed it in the hour of need.
In the Middle East, Russia can enter the conflict on the side of Syria and Iran. It has already sent warships to the Syrian coast. Syria is on the verge of a civil war and the relations between Iran and the West have deteriorated further. Iranians ransacked the British Embassy and Britain has expelled the Iranian diplomats. If Russia joins Syria and Iran, then the flames of the war in the Middle East can easily engulf Israel. The demise of Israel can prove to be a fatal blow for the western capitalist system.
Russia has stricken three times in Europe. In the fifties, it sent its tanks rolling and troops marching in Hungary. The scene was repeated in Czechoslovakia in the sixties. Recently, Russia again struck in Georgia. Each time, the West was a silent spectator. Now, Russia has threatened a nuclear attack. Most likely, Russia can strike in Poland. A nuclear attack on Poland can practically wipe Poland off of the world map. Russia can raise the stakes to the ultimate. Will the West risk an all-out, mutually destructive nuclear war with Russia, or see an ally disappearing from the world map and be a silent spectator as it did in the last three Russian attacks in Europe?
America is all set for a final match with China for world domination. However, Russia may act like a wild card, completely changing the finals of the world power game. I feel that before making plans for the final match of the world power game, America and India should not completely count Russia out of the finals.
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] or 509-962-3652.
