#35 Cold War Resurgence?

While action from Russia such as helping Tehran build a nuclear reactor in Bushehr and selling them anti-missile systems is commonplace, recent talk from Moscow has become increasingly anti-American as well.　

Of all people, Russian President Vladimir Putin blasted the United States recently for the "almost uncontained" use of force in the world, and for encouraging other countries to acquire nuclear weapons. He went on to say that, "One state, the United States has overstepped its borders in all spheres - economic, political and humanitarian, and has imposed itself on other states...this is very dangerous; nobody feels secure anymore because nobody can hide behind international law." Whether he has a point or not, the old saying "get your own house in order before preaching to others" should really carry more weight.　

U.S. reaction has been quite diplomatic, with Secretary of Defence Robert Gates commenting, "Like your second speaker (Putin) yesterday, I have a career not in Diplomacy, but in the spy business. And I guess old spies have a habit of blunt speaking…But I have been to re-education camp." U.S. Republican senator and presidential hopeful, John McCain, was a little more stern, saying "In today's multi-polar world, there is no place for needless confrontation, and I would hope that Russian leaders understand this truth."

Whether today's world is uni-polar or not is a different matter, but McCain certainly has a point when mentioning Russian confrontation. Sure, global U.S. action garners so much attention that it seems they are the instigators of countless conflicts, but other large players such as Russia and China are no angels. Where do you think the bulk of the weapons found in countries like Sudan, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Algeria, Syria, Myanmar and Iran come from?　

As for Putin's call for honouring "international law," lest us not forget Russia's spats with countries such as Ukraine and Georgia, or even their recent gas dispute with arch ally Belarus. NATO's expansion eastward has been a major point of contention in Russia's relationship with the West, as it cannot accept the loss of any more influence in former Soviet territory. Within her own borders, the handling of the Chechen issue certainly does not pale compared to U.S. policy in the War on Terror.　

The speech brought out into the open a major Russian grievance: that the country no longer enjoys the international clout it once did. Putin touted Russia's resurgence as a major player on the international stage capable of standing up to the United States and/or being a worthy alternative to the American giant. Such talk is clear provocation, as it calls for division rather than collaboration. This is especially so since a more likely candidate for global superpower, China, is pursuing a more measured foreign policy.　

Backing up his calls for a multi-polar world, Putin, who is soon to step down as President, has become the first Russian head of state to visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Jordan; all traditional U.S. allies. Given the long history of warm Russia-Middle East relations, the need to visit these three states in particular is not exactly pressing. It is therefore no coincidence that these visits coincide with his increasingly vocal anti-US rhetoric.　

Putin's speech comes on the backdrop of a recent U.S-Russia space row, when deputy head of the Russian space agency Roskosmos, Vitaly Davydov, sharply criticized what he said were U.S. plans to deploy weapons in space. While the White House has stated the policy does not call for the development or deployment of weapons in space, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov threatened retaliatory steps if any country put weapons in space.　

Quite possibly what has held the U.S. and Russia together is the friendship of Bush and Putin. With both men gone in just over a year, relations might begin to sour at the top level as well. It seems the stage has been set.