A Boorish Affair: The West's Treatment of Russia

Here we go again: a crisis in Ukraine and Russia painted the Bogeyman. Why did it happen? Where will it end? The West is remorseless in its efforts to isolate Russia- to back its leaders into a corner, to paint a grim picture of millions of decent, hard working Russians behind lurid Western headlines. Russia is never given an inch- yet far less benign powers are routinely given a mile. Blue chip Western media outlets have long extolled the Russian opposition to stage a ‘Russian spring’- a prospect dreaded by the Russian people, seeking only peace and stability after centuries of deprivation and suffering. In a hard-hitting analysis, Mary Kirwan argues that ignorance about Russia is not bliss. She voices her deep concern that we are spoiling for a fight-with a people who want to be our friend.