Russia is rising from the ashes, quite literally!....Once one of the "poles" of the world, Russia disappeared from the global stage for much of the 90s and was written off by critics as a nation on the verge of implosion. Corruption ruled the roost, and the masses perennially impoverished, clamoured for justice. Democracy, new born in Russia was described as a still born child. But, all this is changing and changing dramatically.
The Soviet Union, undoubtedly was one of the greatest powers since its inception. Its emergence from WWII has been described as spectacular. Soviet policies defined the direction the world would take. Several measures e.g. the Cuban missile crisis brought the world on the brink of a war, while various measures e.g assisting the developing world won it accolades from many. However, the political and economic stagnation that had set in was proving a tough nut to crack. After a series of weak leaders like Andropov, Chernenko etc. the Soviet Union finally got a dynamic leader in the form of Mikhail Gorbachev who promised a turnaround in the soviet system of govrnance. Sadly, his measures were described as too little and too late. The orthodox hounded him for having undermined the authority of the Communist Party( CPSU), while the moderates attacked him for being hesitant and slow on reforms. Things came to a head in august 1991, when the orthodox staged a coup and put Gorbachev under house arrest. Inspite of his return, it was clear that the days of the soviet union were numbered. Finally the behemoth collapsed in Dec 91, afte 74 years of existence.
Russia inherited Soviet Union's place in the international arena following its collapse. It also inherited the military arsenal as also its external debts(!!!)(which it decided to pay alone). But most importantly, what it inherited was a ring of neighbours, openly hostile to it and a superpower( read the U.S), rejoicing at its victory. The Russians went into depression. Economy collapsed, The "shock therapy" for economic turanaround rendered millions homeless and pushed them below the poverty line.Wealth distribution became inequitable, and all money fell into the hands of the few rich "oligarchs" who controlled all industries. All this became a characterstic of the "Yeltsin era". Russia became embroiled in various wars (the chechens, the dagestanis) and numerous political issues(the baltic states).
Yeltsin was succeeded by Vladimir Putin who promised the people an immediate respite from corruption and a more just wealth distribution.He had the Yukov (an oil corporation) chief put behind bars. Such actions won Putin praise. His strong action against the Chechen rebels who had occupied a theatre in Moscow and held the spectators hostage earned him the admiration of many. Inspite of this, many criticse Putin for his high handed ways and his scant respect for democratic procedures and civil liberty. Still, Russia's rise has been spectacular and Russia is once again firmly established on the world stage.Russia's rising petro-exports have fuelled an economic boom that has completely turn the economy. Russia had indeed become one of the most promising global economies.
What remains to be seen is how Russia handles its various internal & external issues.What about Chechnya (& now Georgia), what about the U.S deployment of missiles in the Czech republic etc.What also is crucial is the course Russia will take Post- Putin, whose term ends soon. Will he bypaas the constitution and continue for a 3rd term, or will he step down and install a puppet (read Zubkov, the current P.M). Either ways, Putin's contribution the Rise of Russia can not be contested.
The Soviet Union, undoubtedly was one of the greatest powers since its inception. Its emergence from WWII has been described as spectacular. Soviet policies defined the direction the world would take. Several measures e.g. the Cuban missile crisis brought the world on the brink of a war, while various measures e.g assisting the developing world won it accolades from many. However, the political and economic stagnation that had set in was proving a tough nut to crack. After a series of weak leaders like Andropov, Chernenko etc. the Soviet Union finally got a dynamic leader in the form of Mikhail Gorbachev who promised a turnaround in the soviet system of govrnance. Sadly, his measures were described as too little and too late. The orthodox hounded him for having undermined the authority of the Communist Party( CPSU), while the moderates attacked him for being hesitant and slow on reforms. Things came to a head in august 1991, when the orthodox staged a coup and put Gorbachev under house arrest. Inspite of his return, it was clear that the days of the soviet union were numbered. Finally the behemoth collapsed in Dec 91, afte 74 years of existence.
Russia inherited Soviet Union's place in the international arena following its collapse. It also inherited the military arsenal as also its external debts(!!!)(which it decided to pay alone). But most importantly, what it inherited was a ring of neighbours, openly hostile to it and a superpower( read the U.S), rejoicing at its victory. The Russians went into depression. Economy collapsed, The "shock therapy" for economic turanaround rendered millions homeless and pushed them below the poverty line.Wealth distribution became inequitable, and all money fell into the hands of the few rich "oligarchs" who controlled all industries. All this became a characterstic of the "Yeltsin era". Russia became embroiled in various wars (the chechens, the dagestanis) and numerous political issues(the baltic states).
Yeltsin was succeeded by Vladimir Putin who promised the people an immediate respite from corruption and a more just wealth distribution.He had the Yukov (an oil corporation) chief put behind bars. Such actions won Putin praise. His strong action against the Chechen rebels who had occupied a theatre in Moscow and held the spectators hostage earned him the admiration of many. Inspite of this, many criticse Putin for his high handed ways and his scant respect for democratic procedures and civil liberty. Still, Russia's rise has been spectacular and Russia is once again firmly established on the world stage.Russia's rising petro-exports have fuelled an economic boom that has completely turn the economy. Russia had indeed become one of the most promising global economies.
What remains to be seen is how Russia handles its various internal & external issues.What about Chechnya (& now Georgia), what about the U.S deployment of missiles in the Czech republic etc.What also is crucial is the course Russia will take Post- Putin, whose term ends soon. Will he bypaas the constitution and continue for a 3rd term, or will he step down and install a puppet (read Zubkov, the current P.M). Either ways, Putin's contribution the Rise of Russia can not be contested.
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