The American opposition to Russia is nothing new. Since the days of Joseph Stalin and the former Soviet Union, the United States has had a troubled relationship with the country. For decades, a global campaign of influence was waged, otherwise known as the Cold War, where the United States and the Soviet Union competed against one another. Even after the fall of the Soviet Union and the conclusion of the Cold War, tensions remain between the United States and Russia.
But are the concerns about Russia legitimate?
Accusations about Russia’s government may or may not be legitimate, but the United States is hardly in a position to criticize governments of other countries. While fears of hacking U.S. elections spread, the United States government has a long history of interfering with the politics of other countries. In terms of domestic policy, while many American politicians claim the Russian government is tyrannical, our own government is hardly one supportive of freedom. NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden, currently in exile for exposing surveillance programs against innocent citizens, illustrates this point.
Does this mean we do not evaluate other nations and refrain from criticism? It does not, but it does mean we should be aware of our own faults. The betterment of America depends on it.
If there’s been one bipartisan trend this election, it’s the hatred for Russia. Most Republican presidential candidates not named Donald Trump have criticized Vladimir Putin, and even the Democrats have ripped Trump for supposedly being close to the Kremlin.
But are establishment and mainstream Democrats and Republicans in any position to criticize Russian connections or the Russian government? One must look to the Saudi Arabian connections and ask why Russia is repeatedly criticized while Saudi Arabia is ignored.
While Russia may or may not be involved with prominent hacks this election cycle, Saudi Arabia had definite connections to the 9/11 hijackers. While politicians domestically preach about equality and attack Russia for being a poor government, Saudi Arabia has a history of oppressing women and homosexuals, even executing men for coming out of the closet as gay.
While Russia is bombing ISIS and running missions against the terrorist organization, Saudi Arabia is bombing hospitals run by Doctors Without Borders in Yemen, killing men, women, and children.
The point isn’t so much to inflate Russia but to question the foreign policy of American politicians. We’re told that our foreign policy has a simple goal of protecting America, but there are a series of questions that call this claim into question.
After 9/11, why was the role of Saudi Arabia concealed in classified pages of the 9/11 Commission Report? Why did politicians continue to protect Saudi interests and maintain a connection with them? Why are American politicians attacking Russia, a country at least fighting ISIS, while protecting the Saudi government and its possible terrorist ties?
Much can be said about U.S. foreign policy, but it can all be summed up as a lie. Our government leaders have long had no qualms about using our military for their political goals abroad and lying to the citizens about the aims of these moves.
Shouldn’t there be a point when Americans start demanding honesty?
