This drone deal is admittedly surprising since few could have predicted that Russia either wouldn’t lend credence to reports of Pakistani arms sales to Ukraine or would still bolster its anti-terrorist ISR capabilities in spite of them if they were believed.
Mr Putin is stepping up as a global leader and seems to be acting to help heal rifts that have been created by previous so-called global leaders. But one must wonder if it is possible for Russia to build the type of administrative infrastructure that can/will survive him. He seems to be uniquely suited to his new role but, at the same time, in these trying times must also be feeling the weight of his office. Regardless, it's nice to see a leader who acts responsibly and more like an adult than the children running the west.
Allow me to help assuage your fears. The source of future leadership in any country is its young people. For that reason I study the youth culture of Russia, especially the music scene as I believe popular music is a strong leading indicator of future social trends.
In that regard I find the outlook for Russia to be very positive. Whereas the music of the 90's through 2000 took western audiences into account, meaning much of the songs were sung in English, that is no longer the case. Almost all popular music today is sung in Russian or occasionally Tatar. In addition, the themes are often patriotic and in some cases contain nostalgic references to the USSR. Not just folk music either, but rock, metal, and other forms. There's even a subgenre of rock that uses Slavic themes, both from the Christian and Pagan eras. Way over the top theatrically, but the sentiment is definitely pro-Russian.
Fact is, outside of that musically inept abomination known as "Pussy Riot" I haven't seen anything resembling discontent or protest aimed at current policies. Even the controversial (at the time) Tatu release of Nas Ne Dogonyat (not gonna get us) has since been adopted as a national statement, even to the point of becoming a marching song in boot camp, alongside Sponge Bob Square Pants and Barbie Girl. Russian irony at its best.
Some examples (exceptions in English to get a message across to non-Russians I would say):
Thank you for this optimistic reply. When, if, the turmoil ends, I would love to visit Russia. Tucker Carlson has left me with a very positive image of what it is like there.
Any analysis of Pakistan has to take into account the fact that roughly 20% of the population is Pashtun, an ethnically Persian minority with their own language and culture who are sympathetic to the Afghan people, who themselves are about 80% Pashtun.
Owing to the return of the Taliban, the Pashtun population of Pakistan has increased due to people fleeing that situation. Pakistan has recently taken steps to evict some of them, and no doubt some can return safely, but it's definitely strained relations with the govt. in that area.
Which is to say Britain did the same thing as elsewhere when defining the border - drew the line directly across an ethnic population, similar to what was done in the Punjab, ensuring a source of perpetual discontent - the old divide and rule concept.
The main question then, given this background: is Pakistan really concerned about "terrorists" along their frontier, or is this just the cover story for their suppression of a Pashtun independence movement, similar to the Khalistan movement in the Punjab? The Taliban have stated that they're not supporting any activity inside Pakistan, and I'd tend to trust them over the Pakistan govt. That said, it's a very porous border, so how much control either side can exercise is an open question.
I have a Pashtun friend whose family lives near the border on the Pak side. You don't go anywhere without an AK, and the roof of their compound was armed with a 50 cal. machine gun, all to discourage any Talibani who attempted to enter their tribal area, but I don't know if that's still the case. That was 20 years ago and we've since lost touch. I also had a friend who was a colonel in the Pak army, ironically stationed in the former British base in Rawalpindi where my grandfather served in the British army when it was part of India, and where my mother lived as a child. I also had a romantic interest in a beautiful Afghani woman who under different circumstances I would have offered to marry, but alas...
All this goes to say that I take an interest in the region and tend to favour the Pashtun people, who ironically mostly support the Taliban, as they've brought peace to the nation. Of course if Pak ISI with US support hadn't involved themselves in the Soviet effort to support the socialist govt of Afghanistan back in 1979, things could have worked out much differently. Afghani women would be going to university and would probably be in government as well by this point. That's the part that's missed in all these western narratives about that war. The USSR was supporting a government that aimed to unite the country along socialist lines. So in that instance the real terrorists were Pak ISI and their US sponsors. That's where it all started, and Islamic extremism in all its manifestations can be traced back to that source.
This is the vision of Afghanistan that could have come true long ago if not for western interference. I love the Afghan people and wish them the best. You won't find more friendly hospitable people on the face of this earth.
Mr Putin is stepping up as a global leader and seems to be acting to help heal rifts that have been created by previous so-called global leaders. But one must wonder if it is possible for Russia to build the type of administrative infrastructure that can/will survive him. He seems to be uniquely suited to his new role but, at the same time, in these trying times must also be feeling the weight of his office. Regardless, it's nice to see a leader who acts responsibly and more like an adult than the children running the west.
Allow me to help assuage your fears. The source of future leadership in any country is its young people. For that reason I study the youth culture of Russia, especially the music scene as I believe popular music is a strong leading indicator of future social trends.
In that regard I find the outlook for Russia to be very positive. Whereas the music of the 90's through 2000 took western audiences into account, meaning much of the songs were sung in English, that is no longer the case. Almost all popular music today is sung in Russian or occasionally Tatar. In addition, the themes are often patriotic and in some cases contain nostalgic references to the USSR. Not just folk music either, but rock, metal, and other forms. There's even a subgenre of rock that uses Slavic themes, both from the Christian and Pagan eras. Way over the top theatrically, but the sentiment is definitely pro-Russian.
Fact is, outside of that musically inept abomination known as "Pussy Riot" I haven't seen anything resembling discontent or protest aimed at current policies. Even the controversial (at the time) Tatu release of Nas Ne Dogonyat (not gonna get us) has since been adopted as a national statement, even to the point of becoming a marching song in boot camp, alongside Sponge Bob Square Pants and Barbie Girl. Russian irony at its best.
Some examples (exceptions in English to get a message across to non-Russians I would say):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vO48t9YftTQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzyahHv1j6A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-x76HiYOCM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFa1u0Gye4w
more conventionally:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuSf1UcFRq0
here's a theme you won't find in western pop music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bb3PYFr5y98
Tatarstan supergood!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVlfWbDyhm8
These are just a few examples, but I could literally bury you in pro-Russian themes going back at least a decade.
Last offering from a few years ago that I think about says it all:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6upLGdsduiA
So cheer up! Going by her young people, I'd say Russia has a bright future. Svetlaya Rus! Don't forget your sunglasses!
Thank you for this optimistic reply. When, if, the turmoil ends, I would love to visit Russia. Tucker Carlson has left me with a very positive image of what it is like there.
Any analysis of Pakistan has to take into account the fact that roughly 20% of the population is Pashtun, an ethnically Persian minority with their own language and culture who are sympathetic to the Afghan people, who themselves are about 80% Pashtun.
Owing to the return of the Taliban, the Pashtun population of Pakistan has increased due to people fleeing that situation. Pakistan has recently taken steps to evict some of them, and no doubt some can return safely, but it's definitely strained relations with the govt. in that area.
A bit of history is in order here:
https://www.britannica.com/event/Durand-Line
Which is to say Britain did the same thing as elsewhere when defining the border - drew the line directly across an ethnic population, similar to what was done in the Punjab, ensuring a source of perpetual discontent - the old divide and rule concept.
The main question then, given this background: is Pakistan really concerned about "terrorists" along their frontier, or is this just the cover story for their suppression of a Pashtun independence movement, similar to the Khalistan movement in the Punjab? The Taliban have stated that they're not supporting any activity inside Pakistan, and I'd tend to trust them over the Pakistan govt. That said, it's a very porous border, so how much control either side can exercise is an open question.
I have a Pashtun friend whose family lives near the border on the Pak side. You don't go anywhere without an AK, and the roof of their compound was armed with a 50 cal. machine gun, all to discourage any Talibani who attempted to enter their tribal area, but I don't know if that's still the case. That was 20 years ago and we've since lost touch. I also had a friend who was a colonel in the Pak army, ironically stationed in the former British base in Rawalpindi where my grandfather served in the British army when it was part of India, and where my mother lived as a child. I also had a romantic interest in a beautiful Afghani woman who under different circumstances I would have offered to marry, but alas...
All this goes to say that I take an interest in the region and tend to favour the Pashtun people, who ironically mostly support the Taliban, as they've brought peace to the nation. Of course if Pak ISI with US support hadn't involved themselves in the Soviet effort to support the socialist govt of Afghanistan back in 1979, things could have worked out much differently. Afghani women would be going to university and would probably be in government as well by this point. That's the part that's missed in all these western narratives about that war. The USSR was supporting a government that aimed to unite the country along socialist lines. So in that instance the real terrorists were Pak ISI and their US sponsors. That's where it all started, and Islamic extremism in all its manifestations can be traced back to that source.
This is the vision of Afghanistan that could have come true long ago if not for western interference. I love the Afghan people and wish them the best. You won't find more friendly hospitable people on the face of this earth.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-W_qYF9fcZo