Russian Bear Resurgent!

Saw quite a disturbing article this morning on the state of affairs in modern Russia. Apparently, Putin is engaging in numerous activities that suggest a general movement towards creating a fascist dictatorship, and that Democracy is being denounced while the Communist era is held up as time of great patriotism. Here are some of the most disturbing devlopments:

• The formation of ultra-patriotic youth movements who can be rallied quickly to demonstrate against political opposition.

• The encouragement of racial hatred, anti-semitism and a drive for a Russia for Russians. The large number of immigrants working in Russia are increasingly despised.

• Breeding programmes to increase the pure Russian population and help preserve the purity of the Russian race.

• Rampant homophobia including increasingly violent attacks on homosexuals.

• Organised book burning of works of "unpatriotic" fiction.

• The promotion of the belief that all political opposition is dangerous and anti-patriotic, indeed opposition members are branded traitors and Western symapthisers.

• Incentives for those willing to participate in the promotion of Nationalistic ideas, such as free University places for youth leaders.

• Heralding Stalin as a true patriot and hero of the Russian people while villifying Yeltsin (who brought Democracy to Russia) as a Western puppet and traitor to the Russian people.

Putin, when questioned about his policies, throws them back, by comparing them to the actions of the United States or Britain. He compared Stalin's Great Terror of 1937 (700,000 Russians murdered) to Hiroshima, and accuses Britain of having a "Colonial Mentality" for trying to gain the extradition of the man accused of murdering Alexander Litvinenko.

Of course, as you would expect, former Soviet occupied countries in Eastern Europe are becoming increasingly concerned by Putin's actions and words. He has already demonstrated his ability to make life difficult for some, by stopping the supply of Gas to certain countries and Russia is grabbing even greater natural resources, such as when they took control of gas fields near Sakhalin Island very recently. Just when people thought the Cold War was truly over, it looks like there could be a new, even more dangerous monster (bear) in the closet!