ONCE AGAIN VLADIMIR PUTIN is in the news. We see and hear the Russian President accusing Turkey as being “accomplices of terrorists” after a Russian plane was shot down over Turkey’s Airspace. As per his usual reaction Putin vowed that this incident will have “severe consequences.” When Putin gives a threat Turkey, The United States and NATO become extremely concerned knowing full well what consequences Putin has in mind.
We also see a different side of Vladimir Putin as he meets with French President François Hollande to pledge increased cooperation and collaboration between their respective countries in the war against ISIS. Putin has made the same statement to US President Obama who steadfastly refuses to go along with Russia’s increased military efforts.
Is Vladimir Putin building on his new-found legacy of world leadership or are as some are suggesting an extravagant Public Relations Campaign designed to portray him as a partner for peace and somebody who is leading (or appears to be) leading the fight against terrorism while building on previously frosty relationships that had existed for years with other countries around the globe including the United States? It’s very hard at this conjecture to make a concrete determination if what we are seeing is indeed the “new” Vladimir Putin.
Word now comes that a ban on Russian firms prohibiting them from working on Iranian enriched uranium in addition to helping Iran export their uranium out of the country. Putin visited Tehran for the first time in nearly a decade to meet with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Hassan Rouhani which comes as a bit of a surprise since Iran is a known terrorist nation who has vowed to destroy the United States and Israel. On previous occasions Russia had pledged to provide Iran advanced missile-defense systems designed to help Iran defend its nuclear infrastructure against possible attacks.
In the midst of taking aggressive action military action against Syria sided with Khamenei in speaking against an American “plot” to dominate Syria and then the whole region. This statement obviously contradicts his actions. Furthermore it was agreed during this two-hour meeting during which Putin presented the Osman Koran to Iran’s leader that global powers should not try to impose their political will on Syria once again in striking contrast to Russia’s military campaign in that area.
To further cloud the mystery of which Vladimir Putin is the “real” one was warm exchanges between the Russian Leader and President Obama. Putin has also been seen on TV trying to unite The US, Russia, France and possibly England as well in the fight against terror. Once again we must pose the question as well as trying to answer is the Putin we are seeing seizing the moment to become a true statesman/peace facilitator or putting on a pre-rehearsed show to convince to world he is as he appears to be while “working” the masses to distract them from seeing Russia’s true motives which is to say Russia is for what is best for Russia with little regard for anybody else.
Putin who has never been considered an ally or friend of The State Of Israel in addition to being labeled by some as being anti-semitic had a warm meeting not too long ago with a delegation of Rabbi’s whereupon he issued the following statement to the Rabbi’s in the room with him:
I support the struggle of Israel as it attempts to protect its citizens. I also heard about the shocking murder of the three youths. It is an act that cannot be allowed, and I ask you to transmit my condolences to the families,”
added the Russian president, in referring to the abduction and murder of three teens in June by Hamas terrorists. Putin then requested Sephardic Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef that he relay a message to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he is a true friend of Israel and the Prime Minister. At the same time strongly condemning Israel for the continuance of building settlement housing in the West Bank.
Leaders in general are for the most part an enigma understood by few other than themselves while in some cases lacking “command” of their own inner selves. A leader is often followed by those who lack direction in their own lives that creates a need for this almost messianic figure who can solve all of their problem for them. Those who simply follow or mirror the actions of their “leader” are not typically successful in their endeavors.
In the world today there is not a bigger enigma than Russian President Vladimir Putin who often displays the mantra of an iron fisted, steel willed leader who can befriend the underdog if you will or those he feels have been wronged. As the threat of terrorism increases globally only Vladimir Putin has stepped up the fight as the formidable foe of Isis and any other organization that has been known to commit acts of senselessly brutal violence. His “friendships” with Iran’s Supreme Leader and Syrian President Assad who used chemical weapons on his own people reinforces his enigmatic personality. As to the question asked earlier is Putin erasing his old legacy and building a more “user friendly” version or orchestrating a show bigger than the Ringling Brothers Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey circus.