mark_b:
“Was Putin’s decision to invade Georgia wrong? An elite acting arbitrarily and secretly?”
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The Russian military intervention in Georgia has gone too far, and so the Russian government will be burdened with some consequences internationally and domestically. Wretchard and many commentators here have pointed out many such consequences. I will add the thought that excesses gradually will cause increased criticism among Russian’s own citizens, who have access to information and opinions from abroad.

Russia’s population has accepted an authoritarian leadership because Russia has suffered huge problems transitioning from communism and dictatorship to capitalism and democracy. The brand-new capitalist and democratic institutions were overwhelmed by demagogues, manipulators, fraudsters and gangsters.

We here might disapprove of many of Putin’s actions, but the Russians approve him strongly, because they perceive that he has accomplished a course correction that was necessary. There still are huge problems, but the situation and tendencies are much better than they were under Yeltsyn.

We might criticize the Putin administration for being secretive, brutal and unlawful, but keep in mind the rampant criminality that his administration has had to deal with.

The Russians admire the USA. They admire our history, our government, our economy, our culture. They want peace, friendship and cooperation with the USA.

The Russians will listen to, consider and respond to our criticisms about their conduct in Georgia. People on all sides should calm down and move back toward cooperation. We all can be critical of each other but try to tone down the hostility.