Issues Under Fire: Understanding Why Vladimir Putin is Winning

Issues Under Fire: Understanding Why Vladimir Putin is Winning 

Before one can understand why Russia will likely win the battle for Eastern Ukraine, one has to understand why the West will likely lose it. From this observer's perspective, Vladimir Putin knows exactly what he wants and why he's fighting for it. He's calculated the cost down to the last ruble and has prepared Russia for the sacrifice. Vladimir Putin has a plan and he's sticking to it. Vladimir Putin is in control. 

Facing no dissent, debate or opposition of any kind, Vladimir Putin can execute his plans to achieve Russia's goals unencumbered by domestic resistance. When Putin lays out the direction for Russia, the Russian people, (for the most part) follow. Because the Russian people have given the Russian president their trust, he can parlay that rare political commodity into staunch and sustained support, should the Ukraine conflict fail to produce expected and swift results. 

Secondly, Vladimir Putin can show the Russian people what's in this fight for them. They got the reunification of Crimea. They've bitten off a big chunk of Eastern Ukraine, that'll most likely stay with Russian speaking populations after the dust settles. And, they got the respect every nation wants when they're in rebuilding mode. 

On the other hand, Barack Obama and his U.S. allies don't fully understand what they want out of this conflict. Its obvious the West wants the violence to stop and they want Ukraine's economy to improve so it won't turn into a money pit, but the West can't tell its populations what's in this fight for them. The West can't explain why Ukraine matters, or why anyone should care. Resurrecting Europe's ugly past may not resonate as deeply as it once would have.

Secondly, President Obama faces nothing but dissent, debate and relentless opposition. Chronically hamstrung by a Congress determined to undermine every effort or endeavor, (foreign or domestic) to advance the Obama agenda, Vladimir Putin has unwitting allies working overtime sabotaging his Western archenemy. With Right wing subversives, successfully diminishing President Obama in the eyes of the world, they also help Russia to drive a wedge between the United States and Europe. 

Bottom line: If Barack Obama, leader of the so-called free world, can't even shape his nation's foreign policy narrative without constant interference from political hacks and obstructionist, how can he be expected to confront Putin with a nervous and equally disunited Western Europe. Until the West can articulate and present a unified narrative, that'll give Americans and Europeans a reason to accept the burden of Ukraine's conflict, Vladimir Putin will win. Podcast Below!