2 Russian Planes Down

Remember the Russians used gas to subdue the Chechen rebels who took hostages in the Moscow theatre? And then executed them all, shot in the back of the head? No trials.

I would think they will respond to this even more harshly.

+++ for the dead and their families.


On another topic,

I don't know why we haven't made a realpolitik alliance with them already to deal with Iran and Iraq and pipeline channels.

 

On a side not, what does "realpolitik" mean. I've seen that word used before but I was too embarrased to ask what it was. I know Coldplay has a song called "Politik" but I didn't know what that meant either.

Thanks.

 

I may be wrong, but I thought it was a practical-type policy (instead of idealistic) that's based on national self-interest.

 

Google is a wonderful thing...

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Realpolitik (German for "politics of reality") is foreign politics based on practical concerns rather than theory or ethics.

Realpolitik in many cases has been for the advancement of the national interests of a country over ethical or principled concerns.

One of the most famous proponents was Niccolò Machiavelli, best known for his Il Principe (The Prince). Machiavelli held that the sole aim of a prince was to seek power, regardless of religious or ethical considerations. The ancient Greek historian Thucydides, who wrote the History of the Peloponnesian War, is also cited as an intellectual forebearer of realpolitik.

Other significant practitioners of realpolitik include Prince Metternich, Otto von Bismarck, and Count Camillo Benso di Cavour. Indeed, it was Bismarck who coined the term "realpolitik", with regard to his efforts in what led to the unification of Germany under Prussia in 1871.

Various political science schools of thought rely on an analysis of political actions as realpolitik, most notably the Realist and Marxian schools. In the "realist school" of Anglo-Saxon Political Science of the late 20th century this term is mostly used as a synonym for power politics. The policy of Realpolitik was formally introduced to the Nixon White House by Henry Kissinger. In this context, the policy meant dealing with other powerful nations in a practical manner, i.e. diplomacy with the People's Republic of China rather than containment. link

 

It would seem as though Russia already has a 'realpolitik' focus on their policy. They are cozy with us on many issues, but they do not let that get in the way of selling material to Iran for cashola. That, as they see it, is in their national interest (ie both being friendly with us AND making money off the Iranians).

 

I didnt even consider a link between the two....hadnt heard that yet.

I've been on Russian airliners before and when I saw this I went "well, that had to happen sometime." Remember when the Russian pilot let his friggin son pilot the plane and it went down? That happened about 4 weeks before I flew from China to Russia.

But if its Chechen rebels....its gonna get bloody over there.

 

+

 

Chechens? Or Al Q?

 

Weren't there fears that the rebels would set off their bomb belts as they recovered from the gas?

Terror In Moscow

 

Probably Chechens.........but does it really matter?