questionable commitment to democratic reforms are lingering concerns.
Putin’s approval of the sale of SS-26 and SA-18 missiles to Syria in the face of persistent U.S. and Israeli objections has become a foreign relations nightmare for the Kremlin. Without question, the SS-26 and SS-18 missiles pose an immediate threat to U.S. and Israeli forces in the Middle East. The SS-26 is a highly mobile missile that uses satellite guidance systems to attain maximum accuracy. With a range of 180 miles, it can carry a 1,000-pound warhead to most targets inside Israel, including the nuclear reactor site outside Dimona. Even more deadly and threatening than the SS-26, the SA-18 shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missile uses its enhanced seeker to hit aerial targets, such as jet fighters, head-on.
Israeli Prime Minister Sharon’s ultimate fear is that terrorist organizations such as Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Hizbullah could acquire and use the weapons against Israel. The Kremlin’s continued inflexibility on the subject of Syria has led Sharon to comment, “For the situation to be regulated successfully, Russia should consider Israel’s problems in a more objective and balanced way.” Sharon went on to say, “We would greet with understanding, for example, if Russia would take into account not only Arab, but Israeli points of view.”
Russia’s participation in the construction of Iran’s 1,000-megawatt Bushehr nuclear reactor and its planned shipment of nuclear fuel in the face of EU and U.S. concerns is an extremely troubling development and a serious blow to Israel-Russia relations. Causing further concern for Israel, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Deputy Hussein Musavia recently stated, “The enrichment of uranium is a given right of any nation.”
Under Putin, anti-Semitism has again gripped Russia. In January, 58 delegates in
the Russian Duma voted against a resolution condemning anti-Semitic attacks. Instead, 20 legislators signed a shameful petition calling for the outlawing of all Jewish organizations and activities as “extremist.”
In March, Russia’s chief rabbi called on Putin to do more to combat anti-Semitism saying, “The government needs to take concrete steps to confront the growing trend of anti-Semitism and xenophobia.” The Council of Europe’s commissioner for human rights, Alvaro Gil-Robles, has suggested that the Russian government devise legislation to deter radical political leaders from venting expressions of xenophobia, racism, and anti-Semitism stating, “Attacks on synagogues, the desecration of Jewish cemeteries and assaults against individuals are examples of the serious criminal acts which are becoming more frequent in numerous regions of the Russian Federation.”
In his recent annual State of the Nation keynote address, Putin stated that, “The country’s main political task is to ensure democracy with European ideals and to strengthen the judicial and political systems.” However, observers who once hoped Putin would propel Russia into an age of “enlightened liberalism” have found themselves questioning the president’s commitment to democratic ideals and free-market reforms – both necessary components for a free and stable Russia.
Early democratic reforms have inexplicitly stalled during Putin’s second term, prompting U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to comment that, “Russia is letting democracy slip away.” Meeting with Putin prior to President Bush’s visit to Moscow next month to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Nazi forces in WWII, Secretary of State Rice stated that Putin had “too much personal power” and that the pace of democratic reforms in Russia was “very worrying.”
It has become increasingly clear that Vladimir Putin is trying to sell the Russian people on his idea of a revived Russian empire. As part of his ambitious plan, Putin wants Russia to once again become a key player in Middle East politics. This may be appealing to the Russian people who have seen the country’s global influence decline precipitously.