Add up all your billions together and you get the GDP of Slovakia. I have the Federal Government of the United States of America. Your money doesn't intimidate me. The most that you can buy is influence; but I wield Constitutional authority. -Frank Underwood
Though President Underwood spoke these words with regards to a fictional power struggle between himself and a billionaire energy magnate Raymond Tusk; they go a long way in explaining Russia's real takeover of the Crimean peninsula.
As a Western observer, the most frustrating aspect has been the global community's lack of recourse in dealing with naked aggression so close to the NATO homeland. No one will go to war over the Crimea, and Vladimir Putin knows it.
As an alternative, mild sanctions have been put in place, with more severe ones possible. In other words, Crimea has been snatched without consequences. In this matter, the West has no leverage over Putin, in the same way that Raymond Tusk's control over the White House was illusory.
All this has been obvious from the outset. However, the more I think about this, the more the House of Cards analogy fits.
Economic and diplomatic sanctions mean little to either Underwood or Putin. These are just the tolls to pay on the Road to Greatness. As an unelected President and an 'elected' President, they aren't accountable to any business leaders, political allies, or even common people who bear the brunt of retaliation.
In our jaded political culture, we often think that money is equivalent to power, but Putin/Underwood remind us that it only buys influence. The West can freeze assets. It can make life (relatively) difficult for wealthy and connected Russians. That doesn't change the fact that Putin has a government and an army, along with the authority to lead them.
It's clear where he is taking his cues. It may seem that the Crimean invasion came on the heels of Ukrainian political turmoil. However, that obscures the more relevant event. It came less than a month after House of Cards Season 2 was released.
Showing posts with label putin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label putin. Show all posts
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Saturday, February 8, 2014
A Six-Pack of Thoughts to Open the Sochi Winter Games
1. Our gracious hosts, the Russians, have bad blood with almost every country in these winter games. In fact, I'm pretty sure they've had at least one war of annihilation with 'Independent Olympic Athletes.'
Most knew better than to create a fuss during the Parade of Nations.
Not Germany, whose rainbow uniforms were a clear 'fuck you' to Czar Putin. I assume the Germans' first choice was to outfit their team like this to commemorate the centennial of the Battle of Tannenberg.
However, out of respect to Poland (the battle took place near modern day Olsztyn), they chose to target Putin's disliked and ill-timed reforms against homosexuality.
Stalingrad is not forgotten.
2. Speaking of the Parade of Nations, Tonga won. Check these bad boys out:
The Silver Medal goes to Kazakhstan, both for their sharp outfits, and for managing to send 52 athletes to these games.
The Bronze Medal does not go to Team America, whose Ralph Lauren designed sweaters look like they were knitted by a team of schizophrenic grandmothers.
3. I'm looking forward to visiting Sochi in about 5 years. Nothing spells reasonable rates like an overbuilt Olympic town trying to fill superfluous hotel rooms.
4. The first event I watched was the Men's 5000m Speed Skate. The Dutch swept the medals, while King Willem-Alexander vocally cheered them on. I've never seen royalty show that much enthusiasm. Go Oranje!
5. This is the Olympics I stop making fun of curling. It may not require top-flight athleticism, but it's a quality test of skill, and one of the few real team sports in the Winter Games.
6. GULAG WATCH!
As the games progress, I'll be assessing which Russians are slated for a parade through Moscow, and which will be banished to a Siberian prison to live out their wretched days.
These games are young, so there hasn't been much chance for heartbreak. Whoever messed this up will be found floating in the Black Sea, but otherwise, there are a few events to watch:
-Figure Skating now has a team category. The Russians are a favorite along with the United States and Canada. In particular, Yulia Lipnitskaya, a 15 year old with a black Soviet heart for victory is creating buzz.
-Russia's Men's Hockey team figures to contend for the Gold Medal. The path will be difficult as Canada and the United States both field strong teams.
Most knew better than to create a fuss during the Parade of Nations.
Not Germany, whose rainbow uniforms were a clear 'fuck you' to Czar Putin. I assume the Germans' first choice was to outfit their team like this to commemorate the centennial of the Battle of Tannenberg.
However, out of respect to Poland (the battle took place near modern day Olsztyn), they chose to target Putin's disliked and ill-timed reforms against homosexuality.
Stalingrad is not forgotten.
2. Speaking of the Parade of Nations, Tonga won. Check these bad boys out:
The Silver Medal goes to Kazakhstan, both for their sharp outfits, and for managing to send 52 athletes to these games.
The Bronze Medal does not go to Team America, whose Ralph Lauren designed sweaters look like they were knitted by a team of schizophrenic grandmothers.
3. I'm looking forward to visiting Sochi in about 5 years. Nothing spells reasonable rates like an overbuilt Olympic town trying to fill superfluous hotel rooms.
4. The first event I watched was the Men's 5000m Speed Skate. The Dutch swept the medals, while King Willem-Alexander vocally cheered them on. I've never seen royalty show that much enthusiasm. Go Oranje!
5. This is the Olympics I stop making fun of curling. It may not require top-flight athleticism, but it's a quality test of skill, and one of the few real team sports in the Winter Games.
6. GULAG WATCH!
As the games progress, I'll be assessing which Russians are slated for a parade through Moscow, and which will be banished to a Siberian prison to live out their wretched days.
These games are young, so there hasn't been much chance for heartbreak. Whoever messed this up will be found floating in the Black Sea, but otherwise, there are a few events to watch:
-Figure Skating now has a team category. The Russians are a favorite along with the United States and Canada. In particular, Yulia Lipnitskaya, a 15 year old with a black Soviet heart for victory is creating buzz.
-Russia's Men's Hockey team figures to contend for the Gold Medal. The path will be difficult as Canada and the United States both field strong teams.
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