It is so convenient to have a Russian bogeyman...
This is so true, in the US anyways, and though it ought to be the subject of an extensive diary, the question is, "why????" It passes understanding. I don't know how many times, from the journal, Foreign Affairs to the Economist, I've seen the phrase "Resurgent Russia." Why is the media afraid of Russia? I'm not getting it. Convenience doesn't explain it.
And great call there, Jerome. "It Can't Be Just About Us"--Frank Schnittger, ETian Extraordinaire
In the US, that would mean a coordinated effort from people in Washington, New York, Chicago, Atlanta and Houston, to ensure that people's minds were diverted from our own nonexistent energy policy (let the market sort it out), by parading the Russian bear before their eyes.
That's a hard one to swallow. Not that I don't think there are "gentlemen's agreements" in place, I know first hand that there are, but that's a big one to swallow nonetheless. "It Can't Be Just About Us"--Frank Schnittger, ETian Extraordinaire
The 'lack' of energy policy is one that makes banks and traders happy (Wall Street and the city), fits in the dominant narrative of 'markets are best' and provides cover for the utilities/energy companies.
As I've noted, the demonization of Russia was directly pushed by very public speeches by Cheney, Blair or Barroso in 2005/06, which the media had to cover, and which were supported by a lot of "analysts", and became conventional wisdom very quickly. In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes
The media don't invent this stuff, they mouth it.
