Like other journalists, I have witnessed many acts of terrorism. I’ve reported on some terrible events or covered them live. Sometimes I just happened to witness a tragedy – like the explosion of a bus in Tel Aviv. I remember the feeling of helplessness and anger that envelopes you when you meet up with terror. So, I understand and sympathize with the French.
Political planning is almost useless in our day and age… and this goes for any world leader, whether he is an advocate of creative and democratic development, or a mad tyrant imbued with a superiority complex. You can plan an open demonstration of your strength and power in the Caucasus, and see hostages taken in a theater of Dubrovka. You can plan to “influence” Ukrainian authorities by winning a “small war” in the Donbas, and see a Malaysian Boeing shot down from the sky. You can plan to return to the world political stage by bombing Syria, and hear about the death of your compatriots in the Sinai.
The same scenario has been repeated in Paris. Putin firmly believes that he should support Assad even though the Syrian dictator has lost control over most of his country. Western leaders do not want to enter into open and direct conflict with the Russian president and generally believe that the Syrian problem cannot be solved without Putin. So, an “Islamic state” has risen on the ashes of Syria, while ordinary French citizens are now paying for Putin’s geopolitical games.
In today’s world, all of us – Europeans, Americans, Ukrainians, Russians – are in the same boat. All of us must confront radical terrorism, savagery, and contempt for life and human rights.
It is tragic that due to his political games, Putin is punching holes in the boat that we all share… that is why we are drowning.
