It is imperative for U.S. to understand Russia

By STEVE HUSZAI

Staff Writer

WOOSTER -- The College of Wooster's Great Decisions lecture and discussion series continued Tuesday with its focus on understanding Russia, viewed as the chief rival to the United States for the latter half of the 20th century.

Peter Baker, a White House correspondent for the New York Times and contributing writer for New York Times Magazine, spent nearly four years living and working in Russia as a correspondent for the Washington Post with his wife, Susan Glasser.

They also wrote a book about Russia, focusing on the rule of Vladimir Putin in the early 21st century.

Baker described the various freedoms Russian citizens have gained since the fall of the Soviet Union nearly 20 years ago. But he juxtaposed those freedoms with serious issues facing Russia and the day-to-day lives of citizens if they fall out of line.

"To be clear, it's not the Soviet Union ... the society is much freer and more open than 20 years ago," Baker explained. "If you keep your head down, you can live a life similar to one (in the United States) ...

"It's a vital, thriving economy ... you can make a lot of money in Russia," Baker said.

But Baker said people who try to influence society in any way, they will experience crackdown and repression.

He mentioned, especially under Putin's rule (who left as president under term limits, only to become "prime minister" instead, thus maintaining power) if someone threatens his power they will be stripped of their lives and jailed. Baker mentioned one of Russia's richest businessmen who criticized Putin and the ruling party had his billions in wealth taken and he was then thrown in jail.

The system of rich oligarchs who made billions since the fall of the Soviet Union essentially was allowed to keep their fortunes unless they cross Putin.

Baker said corruption is a large part of day-to-day life in Russia, mentioning first-hand experiences of attempted "shakedowns" by Russian police and agencies.

"The danger with Russia is we see in Russia what we want to see," he mentioned of the United States. He noted each U.S. president has gotten close with his Russian counterpart since the fall of the USSR, which has led to complications in U.S.-Russian relations when the U.S. tries to speak out against Russian human rights issues or in geopolitical relations.

"For instance, Baker mentioned while the United States is trying to influence issues in Iran and North Korea, Russia does business with both countries and thus stands against U.S. foreign interests.

"Russia also never renounced its Soviet past," Baker explained. Amazingly, he informed the audience that one in six Russians named Josef Stalin as their idol, a man Baker said killed his own citizens. "Lenin's remains are still on display," in Red Square in Moscow.

He said Russia never confronted its own Soviet history, whereas Germany has confronted its Nazi history.

Stalin, he explained, is viewed as the Russian leader who won World War II and launched the Soviet Union into superpower status.

"The old days were the good days," Baker said, explaining the mentality of many Russians, and something he said the United States needs to understand.

Baker said Russia has immense natural resources, especially with energy. It is a nation which is willing to use force, he said, to achieve its objectives (such as in the 2008 Georgian war) and is an "incubator of Islamist terrorism," in Chechnya. Chechnen terrorists have been responsible for a large amount of suicide attacks within Russia, especially in Moscow itself.

For these reasons, Baker said it is imperative for the United States to understand Russia, which is why he said President Barack Obama has initiated his "reset policy" with relations with the nation.

During the question and answer session, audience members asked whether or not popular revolt could take place in Russia, similar to events in Egypt.

"(That) could not happen in Russia ... its citizens are broadly tolerant of the system because life has gotten better for most people," he said.

"It's a country with a lot of problems," Baker said of Russia. "But we need Russia in certain issues," he listed, such as Iran policy and allowing military fly-overs for military operations in the region.

Baker added it will be interesting what happens next year during the next presidential elections. It is believed Putin may want to return to the role. But his hand-picked friend and successor Dmitry Medvedev is the current president, and his intentions are yet unknown, possibly leading to political drama within Russia.

"There is a joke in Russia that there are two campaigns in the next election, the Putin campaign and Medvedev campaign. The question is no one knows which one Medvedev is in," Baker said, prompting some laughter from the audience.

The next topic in the Great Decisions series is titled "Iran: Then and Now." It is scheduled for Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in the Gault Auditorium located in Scheide Music Center on The College of Wooster campus.

Reporter Steve Huszai can be reached at 330-287-1645 or e-mail shuszai@the-daily-record.com.

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