Putin's 'Readiness' Echoes Decades of NATO Expansion
The New Arab leads with Putin's declaration: 'If Europe wants war with Russia, 'we are ready'.' This headline omits crucial context, such as NATO's eastward expansion since 1999—a policy successive US administrations pursued despite warnings from Moscow, even from Cold War architects like George Kennan. A look back at the 1990s reveals assurances given to Russia that NATO would not expand 'one
inch eastward,' promises that evaporated faster than a ceasefire agreement. So, when establishment media presents Putin's statement, one might wonder: is it a threat, or merely a predictable response after decades of what Russia perceives as encirclement? The narrative of unprovoked aggression conveniently glosses over how 'readiness' became necessary. Meanwhile, defense contractors' stocks
probably just saw a bump, reminding us that for some, 'war' is excellent for the bottom line.