How Vladimir Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Islamic Bombski
I wonder if it’s not all a sham. Putin is a dictator, but he is savvy. In setting up Iran with defenses and giving that already-beleaguered state a saber or three to rattle, he could be working toward Russia’s national interest.
Not in defending Iran, but setting up Iran to take the fall. Russia cares not for Muslims – evidenced by the crushing of Chechnya. However, they face a demographic crisis, and you’re right to say that when the time is right, Iran (as well as Jihadi groups) will leverage the Russian Muslim population to their advantage.
That is, of course, if there -is- an Iran in 2050.
If Putin is as canny as I think he is, he’s going to put Iran into a position against the rest of the world that will cause the regime to collapse, thus removing a threat from Russia’s border. He’s already given them the ammunition to do so, and they have the crazed will to use it. Putin’s already playing at setting up some plausible denial. “Nuclear power for peace!” he says – but he knows better.
He’s playing a dangerous game, arming madmen; but they aren’t mad at Russia, and in a confrontation with the West, Russia may be the ultimate winner.
