"A STRONG RUSSIA IS GOOD FOR EUROPE!"

An interview with Johann Gudenus
Vice-Chairman of the Austrian Freedom Party

by Manuel Ochsenreiter

Mr. Gudenus, you are considered as an Russia expert and a friend of Moscow. Where does this new – perhaps old – fear of Russia come from?

Gudenus: The fear is still based on the stereotypes of the Cold War, sometimes even on the experiences from the Second World War.

The Second World War ended in 1945 and the Cold War in 1989...

Gudenus: But the anti-Russian sentiments are still very easy to reactivate, as we can see. It is interesting that especially the liberal and left media is currently agitating loudly against Moscow. And they are precisely the ones who like to accuse others of being prejudiced or xenophobic...

TWO YEARS LATER

John Derbyshire - not as dotty as he seems.

by Gilbert Cavanaugh

Who would have ever guessed that John Derbyshire, a mild mannered Brit with a Chinese wife, and two kids by her, would become the face of white supremacy in the eyes of the left? Well, so it goes, and today marks the two-year anniversary of Mr. Derbyshire’s expulsion from the ranks of National Review, and polite society as a whole. Although it is seductive to commemorate this by providing a list of other thoughtcrime martyrs who have sprung up in the last twenty-four months, I propose something a bit more productive. Let us consider what has improved since “The Derb” so unjustly received his two minutes of hate two years ago, after all, our mothers were right when they told us, “God opens a window every time he shuts a door.”

A PRAYER FOR WAR

by Daniel Barge

It's often said that war brings out the best and worst in people. But just supposing there's more worst than best, what can we expect to happen?

Now, as the Crimean crisis moves through its second week, there is tough talk aplenty and with the talk come the gestures – troops moved around like pieces on a Risk board, ships sailing nearer.

Can any of this mean anything?

"WE MUST UNITE ALL PEOPLE OF CRIMEA!"

by Manuel Ochsenreiter & Natalya Bazhenova

An interview with Gennady Sivak, head of the "Social Patriotic Assembly of the Slavs" on the situation in the Crimea

Mr. Sivak, since in Kiev the so called “Maidan Movement” took power, the people in Eastern and Southern regions of Ukraine started organizing to defend themselves against the new pro-Western government in Kiev. What can you tell us about the situation in Crimea?

Sivak: Citizens of the Crimean Republic will never recognize the violations of the Constitution of Ukraine, the result of which was that the armed bandits came to power. On February 27 the Supreme Council of the Crimean Republic voted for this statement. Crimea does not recognize the Verkhovna Rada (National Parliament) of Ukraine.

THE OBAMA POWER SHOT

"Okay, I'll accept the charges"

by Colin Liddell

With the unfolding situation in the Crimea, we have now passed beyond polite diplomacy to the point of power projection. In nature this is equivalent to the moment when two alpha males cross each other's paths and start to square up. In those first few moments how each animal displays his power and confidence may be key to deciding the fight.

In the realm of international geopolitics, this projection naturally takes place through the media with the release of carefully worded statements and equally carefully selected imagery.

CRIMEA AND PUNISHMENT

Taking a double-barreled approach

by Colin Liddell

What seems to be happening now in the Ukraine is one of the worst outcomes possible. Russia seems poised to take very risky action merely to maintain its dignity and status as a great power. This situation has come about frankly because Putin misread the situation and ended up investing his political capital in Yanukovych, who turned out to be the worst type of corrupt oligarch.

Perhaps it was impossible to find a virgin in the whorehouse of Ukrainian politics, which ties Nigeria for corruption, but perhaps something more could have been done.

The other mistake was alienating the ultra-nationalist and traditionalist forces in the Ukraine, as these provided the revolution with its spearhead. With them on his side, or at least neutral, Yanukovych would still be installing his gold toilets and diamond chandeliers in his latest palace.