Russian Relations with Iran Are an Area of Concern

Jorgen Staun, a researcher and political scientist with a PhD from the University of Copenhagen, has recently produced a report for the Danish Institute for International Studies, which analyzes the current status of Russia as an international power player. This assessment contains some suggestions on how the European Union, and hence the western world, should respond to Russian foreign policy. The underlying theme for the western reader has to be how Russia will align themselves in the current tensions that now exist between Iran and the western world.

The 70 page report, titled "Siloviki Versus Liberal-Technocrat, the Fight for Russia and Its Foreign Policy" provides an interesting read for students, followers of international relations and those engaged in the formulation of foreign policy. Professor Staun traces current events and provides economic, political and military comparisons between Russia and other power players in the world.

He concludes that Russia is not really a military threat to the world, even with their nuclear capabilities, but their role as a spoiler in a myriad of east-west relationships is enhanced by their oil and natural gas resources as well as their position as a member of the United Nation's Security Council. He states that while Russia seems to be moving more to an autocratic state, that they are not presently aligning themselves with either the east or the west. Staun suggests that the west should remain inviting to Russia and present economic and political opportunities for them to feel more welcome in the EU family.

His evaluations, observations and assessments of internal and external political activities during the present tenure of Vladimir Putin provide an insightful examination of the activities of a man that wants to insure that Russia remains an economic and political force in the world even as their military prowess is in decline.

He calls attention to the fact that Putin's administration has coined the term "managed democracy" to justify state control of media resources and has convinced major private players in the Russian economy to remain outside of politics. Some of his tactics have been especially hard-handed and extremely effective. Staun recounts a return in Russian politics to "telephone justice" referring to the almost absolute control that bureaucratic officials have on legal matters of concern to the Kremlin. He discusses the major internal conflicts between the "siloviki" and the "liberal-technocrats" in the Kremlin that will determine the path of Russia and its' foreign policy in the future. He also provides examples of the rampant corruption that is present in the government.

While Staun provides an in-depth assessment of the current status of Russia on the world stage, a history of Russia might provide more context for the reader.

Based on their over 1,000 year history of autocratic rule, it is no wonder that Russia struggles with democracy. Centralized control, absolute power and a tendency of the Russian citizen to look to the state for direction has created a genetic problem with democracy.

From the earliest beginnings of the Russian state at Kiev in 882, the peoples that have inhabited that region have been controlled by powerful central governments.

The character, soul and education of Russian leaders is not imbued with the same democratic ideals espoused by Locke, Hamilton, Jefferson and others that suggested that government while a necessity was not the ultimate source of power and that the governed should play an active role in their governance. In Russia, history reveals just the opposite conviction. The people have to be governed absolutely to insure progress.

With that framework in mind, one can carefully evaluate the fine work that Professor Staun has offered to the world for their education and enlightenment.

Reference Danish Institute for International Studies

http://www.diis.dk/sw39689.asp