In the plane that will carry him today to Moscow, Barack Obama's head will be filled with thoughts and memories. Recovering from the global financial crisis might be easier than recovering from the havoc George Bush has wrought in international relations. The ambition to broaden NATO and support colorful revolutions has stirred the siege complex in Russians. Victorious America didn't help that state that came out defeated from the Soviet debris. Some practices gave the impression there is a desire to besiege and humiliate it, and impose the American model on it. He should remember other issues. America played a decisive role in drowning the Red Army in the Afghan quagmire. Today, it asks Russia for passage through airspace for transporting military supplies to its forces that are stuck in the same quagmire. America was glad at the ability of the Pakistani agent to produce Afghan fighters then Taliban. Today, it fears for the Pakistani nuclear arsenal from Baitullah Mehsud. Barack Obama needs Russia. He needs it in Afghanistan; the Korean crisis; the Iranian nuclear issue; the peace process in the Middle East; for reducing nuclear arsenals; for reminding rising China that America has other addresses; to reassure the Republics that removed the Soviet cover and escaped; to reassure the European states that were under the protection of the Warsaw pact; to have a supportive behavior in treating the financial crisis. Moreover, Russia extends on two continents and lies on oil and gas and rockets that are able to reduce the world to ashes. Russia generously offered its support to America when Osama bin Laden launched the “invasions of Washington and New York”. The wounded empire did not content itself with causing the demise of Mullah Omar's regime. It tried to launch a terrifying upheaval in the Middle East by uprooting Saddam Hussein's regime. It opened the doors of NATO to the Russian bear's neighbors. It clapped for Ukrainians and Georgians as if it were pushing Russia to its isolation and to hibernation under the snow. It fabricated the nuclear shield project and used Iranian rockets as an excuse. A KGB Colonel used to send his reports from Eastern Germany. He saw the wall falter and the empire fade. He saw disintegration affect the Soviet Union itself. He took his decision, lay in wait, and sneaked in. His name was Vladimir Putin. He pushed his way to the Kremlin. He mended the Russian fangs with determination and cunningness. It was a democracy with local colors. He bridled the media and tamed the barons. He was an excellent cook, amidst popularity and elections. Then he decided to respect the Constitution. He left the Kremlin in the care of Vladimir Medvedev and chose the position of Prime Minister while awaiting the return to Joseph Stalin's bed. Many thoughts cross Obama's mind. Russia isn't Denmark. Its elections are dealt in the Kremlin's kitchen. Its justice bows if the governor so much as frowns. Journalists are killed if they go too far. Those who are a source of worry are killed, even in Britain. When America was busy with the Iraqi sahwas, Moscow chose to remind everyone of its ability to discipline its neighbors. Its army crossed the international borders and taught Georgia a lesson that is hard to forget. From time to time, the Cesar closes the gas faucet to remind Europe of winter's severity. Moreover, there is also Chechnya and Angoshia. A quarter of a century ago it was enough for the master of the White house to meet the Cesar of the Kremlin for the world to await the instructions of the two giants. The game has changed and players have infiltrated the scene. China is not a demographic giant that drags its ailing economy anymore. India has changed too. The number of rebels has multiplied. Kim Jong-il relishes the practice of nuclear blackmail. Ahmadinejad doesn't accept anything less than a nuclear pillow. It is impossible to do away with Osama bin Laden or to reach an agreement with him. The failed state reproduces, and breeds along seasons of suicide bombers, disenchanted and angry people, and factories of emigrants and pirates. The world needs another America; a different leadership; new partnerships; fair and creative approaches. Barack Obama sends a few messages in that regard. A speaker's charisma and a speech's velvety tone are not enough. It would be dangerous for Obama to turn into a mere disappointing dream like Mikhail Gorbatchev, whom he is going to meet. Do the great players have an effective interest in the success of the sole great power in treating its wounds and restoring its image? Obama must remember that Medvedev is the President of the Republic during the mandate of Supreme Leader Vladimir Putin. The visiting president was right when he accused the former colonel of not having completely abandoned the lexicon of the Cold War. The master of the Kremlin lives under the Colonel's supervision.
