Right-Wing Support For Putin A Mistake

Submitted by Dave (United States), Jan 20, 2015 at 19:29

Many of these parties are quite supportive of Vladimir Putin. For example, Marine Le Pen criticized Western opposition to Russia's subversion and invasion of Ukraine as unfair, that it could lead to a new cold war. The Hungarian Right is very close to Putin. Many editorials in various counter-jihad sites also defend Putin and Russia's actions in Ukraine.

One reason for their support is probably Putin's firmness in dealing with domestic jihadis. Yet abroad, Russia has been a close ally of Iran and the Shiite Axis, and has aided Iran's nuclear program. Beyond Islam-related issues, Putin's regime is an very corrupt kleptocracy (see Karen Dawisha's "Putin's Kleptocracy") that has curtailed cilvil liberties, notably freedom of the press. And, for those allegedly opposing Islamic imperialism, supporting Russia's action in Ukraine and elsewhere in eastern Europe is very hypocritical.

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