[WAR] Does Russia want war?

[Zenaan Harkness]

For some folks, perhaps an "average North American citizen", this
article might possibly be important.

To me it is stating the obvious, but it just might allay some fears for
some folk out there...




** 5 questions for Peter Lavelle: Does Russia want war? (http://theduran.com/5-questions-peter-lavelle-russia-want-war/)
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By Peter Lavelle on Aug 18, 2016 11:27 am

Russian soldiers dressed in Red Army World War II uniforms prepare to
parade in Red Square in front of a backdrop of St. Basil Cathedral in
Moscow, Russia, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013. Thousands of Russian soldiers
and military cadets marched across Red Square to mark the 72nd
anniversary of a historic World War II parade. The show honored the
participants of the Nov. 7, 1941 parade who headed directly to the front
lines to defend Moscow from the Nazi forces. The parade Thursday
involved about 6,000 people, many of them dressed in World War II-era
uniforms. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

Question: The first and most important question: does Russia want a war
against the west, against the U.S.?

Answer: Most emphatically no! During the Cold War the primary
adversaries went to great lengths to understand the other side’s
position – to put themselves in the other guy’s shoes. Today this is not
happening. This is why the current situation is so unstable and
dangerous. Washington is not interested in resolving conflicts; in fact,
it only inflames them, i.e. Syria, Ukraine and the South China Sea. More
broadly, Americans refuse to recognize that Russia has its own national
security interests – its own “red lines.” The Kremlin has resigned
itself to having to deal with an interlocutor that is deaf and dumb.
Russia is preparing for the worst.

Q.: How to do you respond to the claim that Russia is determined to
undermine NATO, western alliances, and return to the Middle East as a
major player? Is Putin’s Russia determined to restore the power and
influence of the Soviet Union?

A.: We have to remember the Cold War was never properly ended. Mikhail
Gorbachev naively believed Washington would keep its word (a gentlemen’s
agreement given verbally – not in writing) NATO would not move eastward
with the dissolution of the Warsaw Part. Russia was lied to. NATO did
expand eastward and does pose a security threat to Russia. The Kremlin
reflects on this every single day as it is endlessly accused of behaving
“aggressively.” Does Russia want to see NATO collapsed or reformed in a
way that identifies 21^st century security realities? Of course it does.
This is acting like a rational nation-state actor.

When it comes to the Middle East, it is clear what is happening.
Washington has shown itself to be erratic, incredibly violent, and
unreliable. Too much of America’s foreign policy behavior is influenced
by its unholy alliances with Israel and Saudi Arabia – countries that
are only security liabilities for the U.S., its alliance partners in the
Middle East and further afield. The illegal regime change in Iraq and
the other wars of choice in the region have all ended in disastrous
failures. Russia doesn’t want to see the same to happen in Syria. Doing
so has made Russia an enemy of the west. Washington’s plans to overthrow
the secular regime in Damascus are nothing less than insanity.

On the issue of re-building the Soviet Union or Russian Empire: this is
fantasy. Russia was a net loser in the Soviet Union. There are many
Russians who do miss the Soviet Union, but not for its empire. They miss
certainty and stability – the all-encompassing welfare state. The vast
majority of Russians never give Estonia a thought. Even if a majority of
Estonians voted to join Russia, I bet the vast majority of Russians
would say no. Russian designs on the Baltic States are a western media
illusion.

Q.: Why does the west’s media portray Russia as an enemy if you say
Russia has no interest in a conflict?

A.: What Russia is, does and says is really not at issue – Russia is
merely a bit player in a much greater drama. Washington’s obsession with
Russia is about how America sees its place in the world – and that place
is at the center. It must have sway everywhere and all the time. Once
this hegemonic practice faces resistance all resources are marshaled to
assault this “threat.” Because Russia has the resources and will to
resist it is automatically labeled an enemy. All the more so as Russia
conducts its foreign policy based on its defined interests – this course
infuriates Washington’s foreign policy establishment, particularly when
the U.S. goes from one policy failure to another. Someone has to be
blamed! Just read some of the statements coming from Defense Secretary
Ash Carter and State Secretary John Kerry – “if Russia agrees,” if the
Russians only cooperated” etc. Translation: Russia doesn’t do what it is
told. Viewed from Moscow, Washington acts like an addicted and violent
adolescent who can’t accept being told “no.”

Q.: What are the chances the simmering conflict in Ukraine will
escalate? Is this where a hot conflict could start? What about Syria?

A.: I have mentioned elsewhere Ukraine could be used as a kind of
“October Surprise” in the American presidential campaign – start a war
in Ukraine and then blame Russia. The Kiev regime has already signaled
it is more than willing to play its part. The recent incident in Crimea
is a message to me the American public is being prepared to be inflamed
to justify a NATO intervention. This will result in utter failure.
Crimea is now part of Russia. The Kremlin will have no choice but to use
ALL means available to it to protect Russian sovereignty.

An attack on Crimea will ignite a conflict that could escalate into a
general war – including the use of nuclear weapons. Regarding Syria: we
already know a Clinton presidency will target Syria for regime change
starting the first day of the new administration. Any attack on Syria
will also be designed to undermine and end Russia’s legal intervention
there. Again, this is very risky. It needs to be remembered Washington
only attacks countries that cannot defend themselves. Syria with Russian
and Iranian support is something completely different. Syria has the
will and means to resist. And I have no doubt Syria and its allies are
preparing for such an eventuality.

Q.: You say it is Washington that desires a conflict with Russia, so
what can Russia do?

A.: Russia will keep doing what it has been doing – preparing for a
conflict. There is no evidence Washington is interested in negotiations
to resolve conflicts. It won’t force its client state Ukraine to
implement the Minsk agreements, thus maintaining conditions for a
greater conflict with Russia. The U.S. and its NATO allies continue to
aid and protect terrorist groups in Syria. Washington is far more
interested in removing Assad from power – and the Islamic State is a
useful tool toward that end. One thing I am convinced of: if the west
continues on the path of direct military conflict, it will eventually
happen. Confronted to with an overwhelming existential threat Russia
will resist and will be determined not to be defeated. It is up to
Washington – it must decide whether it wants to pursue another war of
choice.

Peter Lavelle is host of RT’s political debate program CrossTalk. His
views may or may not reflect those of his employer.

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(http://theduran.com/5-questions-peter-lavelle-russia-want-war/)
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