Letter from Moscow: Russian Patriotism Unleashed by Georgian War

Der Spiegel by Fred Weir | Oct. 15, 2008 (Opinion)

Russia’s national psyche has turned around, and it’s not just the well-known tonic that a small, victorious war can often deliver. This change has been evolving for years, ever since Vladimir Putin came to power and began restoring central power and order in a country devastated by a decade of economic implosion and social collapse. Russia’s nine-year-old economic boom, fuelled by oil and gas exports, has silently transformed the entire social landscape. Full Story »

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by Peter Barnett - Oct. 15, 2008

It provides an insight into Russian opinion and the revitalisation of Russian 'nationalistic pride' under Putin, which is further bolstered by what is seen as justifiable action in Georgia.

At an international conference in the southeastern French resort of Evian, Sarkozy called for a total reconstruction of the European security structure. Sarkozy also proposed a summit meeting of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to be held at the end of 2009 “to discuss (Russian) proposals and those of the European Union for new concepts of a pan-European defence.”

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