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Old 30-09-2013, 07:59 PM #1
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Default Is the West biased against Russia?

I don't think there's necessarily a right or wrong answer to this thread... nor is it black and white... but do you think that the West is biased against Russia or do you feel that the West's position on Russia is justified?

Some things to consider...

- Russia's track record with human rights isn't fantastic
- Russia is still feared by many former Soviet countries, who believe it still tries to control what they do
- Russia often postures politically against what the West does or wants to do, e.g. Syria
- Russia often vetoes issues in United Nations meetings and stops the West from accomplishing objectives...
- People have accused Russia of starting a "new Cold war" over many issues such as energy supply (turning off Ukraine's gas and affecting Western countries, for example)

Some other things to consider...

- NATO expanded to include many of the Soviet Union's former territories despite assurances that that wouldn't happen...
- Many Western organisations have excluded Russia from joining, forcing Russia to be an outsider.
- The USA is the most powerful country in the world and perhaps Russia feels that it is its duty to act as a power balancing figure, i.e. vetoing what the USA wants, e.g. Syria
- Russia doesn't want another Cold War because it isn't as powerful as the USA and would never win, but rather wants multipolarity so that no one country can dominate the others
- The West has a habit of insisting that their way is the right way and demonising other countries that don't fit into their way of life, which causes outbreaks of terrorism and creates anti-Western sentiments
- The West gets to do what it wants and supports its allies even when their actions are dubious (e.g. Israel/Palestine) but when Russia does the same, it is demonised (e.g. Syria)


What do you think?
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