For an individual who has constantly chafed and scoffed at those who give unwarranted labels, you seem awfully eager to tarnish me with liberal bourgeosie sympathies and other sentiments.

For what it's worth, know that I oppose and dislike American Imperialism, but I do not regard Russian exsurgence as a preferable alternative, at least in the form that it currently takes.

What is bizarre is that while I assume that a nation's asctions always belie self-interest, you have constantly abided by the line that Russia is somehow morally superior in the struggle. Whenver Russia is bullied by a power imbalance, that's bad, but if Russia ever bullies someone else, either by invading them or engaging in cyber attacks, that's simply Russia responding to agression.

In your world, the Ossetians are being bullied by Georgians, and so it is just for Russia to intervene. But in Russia, the Chechens do not deserve further autonomy, because of their links with the United States. You say there is no double standard here? Damn.

And please don't tell me that Ossetian claims to independence are more or less just than Chechen claims.

Here's the thing, mate.

Yes, the CIA and British intelligence are acting to destabilize Russia. Why then is it unthinkable that Russian agents are doing the EXACT SAME THING IN OTHER COUNTRIES? Do you seriously believe that in the absence of Western military power that the current Russian government would abandon its policy of jailing political protesters, abandon its attempts to prop up pro-Russian governments in nearby countries, abandon its killing of journalists, etc. etc.?

The problem at the core of the entire geopolitical struggle is that Russia wants to act like a superpower, the United States wants Russia to remain a weak state, and Russia does not have the power to enforce its desire to reemerge as a superpower.

What does this mean? It means that if Russia was as powerful as the United States, it would do horrible things in the mantainence of that power. The ONLY thing that one can hope for in that situation is that the hegemon is as responsible as possible.

As soon as you pick a side in that kind of conflict, everyone loses, because the stakes are so damaging.