Russia and The New World Order

Are we witnessing a change of world order? Sure we are. Ever since the last conflict in South Ossetia, it became clear that Russia is no more a crippled left-over of the Soviet Union, but a new rising power. I think this was already clear in the past five years, but somehow it was never stressed publicly as it was done in this past month of August.

The general outcome largely formed by our western media seems to suggest that we are heading towards a new “Cold War.” Are we really? In my opinion, the answer is: definitely not!

The cold war rhetoric came back in fashion simply because we in the west yet again have failed to understand Russia, and our inexcusable ignorance could come up with nothing new but the old and worn “cold war” term. The global situation today however is far from what it was during the so called Cold War period in the last century. Russia is not the Soviet Union anymore; it is not living within its own communist world surrounded by minefields, border guards, walls, barb wire, radio and TV suppression. It is part of the world, heavily integrated economically and socially. What is more, Russia does not want to isolate itself, like old Soviet Union did. On the contrary, it seeks to integrate itself even more.

So, why the disagreement? The answer is simple: Russia refuses to accept the single polar international system, where basically the US takes the final decisions. “…the world must be multi-polar. Single polarity is unacceptable…" recently stated Russia’s president. Obviously, United States and its ruling elite could not be happy at all about that. Those of it, who could already see the so called New World Order taking over, are sure disappointed at the new realities. They will be forced to deal with Russia, and soon perhaps with some kind of a new economic or military bloc, formed by Russia and China, and perhaps also India. The prospects of ruling the world single-handedly have become smaller than ever.

So, what is next? Many might say, “well, depends on what the west will do next” but it really does not, as we have no choice but to adopt to the new realities and work with the Russians on par, rather than dictate them our commands in different ways and expect them to follow them obediently, as was the case in the 1990s. The fact that Russia today is an integral part of the world makes it even stronger, than the Soviet Union ever was. I will explain why.

Russia today is the main and irreplaceable source of energy to most of Europe. This tendency will grow even more so in the foreseeable future, due to the new energy links established between Russia and many EU countries, among which are some of the original EU member states. In other words, energy dependency on Russia is not solely spread among the new member states, mostly former Soviet “satellites,” but is also spreading over the countries of the former Western bloc. This was not the case back in the Cold war era.

Energy however is not the sole reason, Russia is a main source of all types of row materials, plus it is a fast growing market for the European made goods. Russia has large foreign investments in its economy, which despite the recent tensions keep on growing, and mind you the business community will not allow its investments being lost over some insignificant political quarrels, or the support of a little nationalist-frenzy state such as Georgia.

Capital or money to put it simply. Our western economy is heavily dependent on the large stacks of Russian money “stuffed” in western banks. During the 1990s Russia was heavily exporting energy and row materials, and most of the money for these exports remained and still do in the West. If Russia decides to pull them out, mark my words: we will be in DEEP trouble. We cannot really do much about that, if we “freeze” their funds, we face the prospect of having them melt again by the blasts of Russia’s mean nuclear war machine.

In terms of military terms, the situation had not changed an inch since the Cold war; Russia still has its nuclear potential, so war is really out of the question, since it will result in total world destruction. Even if nukes are not used, it is simply impossible to occupy Russia, as it is too BIG.

So, we cannot fight them, we cannot occupy them, we cannot isolate them, and what is left is the only real option available: we have to work with them. The faster our western leaders, especially those in the US realize that (no matter how bitter this truth might be) the better for us.