The Russian Bear is growling again

Vladimir Putin is by no means an angel. In fact, it might be hard to find another democratically-elected President behaving so much like a dictator. But recently, I have found myself agreeing with him.

It was at a meeting in Munich with other top-politicians that Putin metaphorically slammed his fist on the table to extort America against its “unilateral and frequently illegitimate actions.” His diatribe was caused by the news that the USA were planning more anti-missile defences in Europe, ostensibly aimed against Iran.

The European press once again accused Putin of overreacting. But in view of Bush’s record for provoking completely unnecessary wars, was the Russian president really being over-sensitive? Because I don’t think so.

The United States are rapidly becoming the most dangerous country in the world. Bush and his cronies are not satisfied with having made a complete mess-up of Iraq. Next down on the list appears to be Iran, then Syria. And then?

It seems entirely suitable for Putin, leader of a former superpower, to be uncomfortable about the thought of American military bases expanding in Central and Eastern Europe, an area notoriously close to Russian influence.

What is most irritating though, is they way the western press portrays Putin as the baddie and Bush as the good guy. And this even now, after it is evident that Bush cannot be trusted and is a complete liability for his country and the world.

We need to stop seeing Russia as evil and America as good. Past events have proved that this old world view is no longer applicable. Not as long as Bush is President, anyway.