Putin, in his election campaign, severely criticized the West’s hegemonic policies, western double standards, and hypocrisy. He motivated Russian nationalism and patriotism against western attempts to dominate Russia. Russia and China used their veto power in the UN to defeat western designs to forcibly change the regime in Syria.
By Dr. Sawraj Singh
Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s resounding victory will greatly accelerate major global trends of the rise of the East, and the decline of the West. Putin is going to continue Russia’s tilt towards Asia. For Putin, Russia’s relation with China will remain the cornerstone of his policies. Putin believes that China, India and the entire Asia-Pacific region are gaining more weight in the world. He wants Russia to be friendly in the camp of rising Asia. In September, Russia will host the annual meetings of the Asia-Pacific Cooperation. Russia became a member of the East Asia Summit in 2011. Russia is an important member of the BRICS organization, which is formed by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. All of these countries are the rising economies of the world today. Brazil just recently beat and displaced England to become the sixth largest economy of the world.
China became Russia’s largest trading partner in 2010. In 2011, the trade between the two countries was 80 billion dollars. They want to increase the trade to 100 billion dollars by 2015, and to 200 billion dollars by 2020. Under Putin, Russia’s trade has continued to shift from Europe to China. Russia has become the major supplier of China’s energy needs. They have signed long-term agreements for the supply of oil and gas.
Putin, in his election campaign, severely criticized the West’s hegemonic policies, western double standards, and hypocrisy. He motivated Russian nationalism and patriotism against western attempts to dominate Russia. Russia and China used their veto power in the UN to defeat western designs to forcibly change the regime in Syria. They are also trying to block the western attack on Iran. However, Israel seems bent upon launching an attack on Iran to destroy Iran’s nuclear installations. This attack may trigger a Third World War, which can lead to the ultimate western defeat, and the end of western domination and the American era. Whereas Putin is acting as a catalyst for the West’s decline, Israel will most likely have the honor of being responsible for the final blow to the West and America. Israel will prove to be the spoiled and rotten kid who destroys his parents.
By aligning with China and tilting towards Asia, Putin has already changed the balance of power in the world. The West should understand that its defeat in a Third World War is a foregone conclusion. Under the present circumstances, the West cannot win a Third World War. The West should try to learn from its experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan. It miserably lost both the wars and faced humiliating defeats. How can the West win a Third World War? Does it want to continue to pamper the unruly and boisterous kid, or save itself and the world from horrific destruction?
Putin is likely to go down in history as the leader who was responsible for the end of the western age and the American era. India should understand that by tilting towards America, it is siding with a declining power, and is going against the rising powers. Putin has warned India for pursuing such policies. Putin is particularly unhappy with India’s stand on Syria. India voted in favor of the American-supported resolution on Syria in the UN, and also attended the meeting of the so-called Syrian friends, who in reality are the biggest sell-outs and enemies of the Syrian people. Putin’s resounding victory should lead to India’s reflection of its pro-American policies, which are in direct conflict with the fundamental interests of its people.
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].
