Sasha's commentary for March 7, 2014: Part II

Russia Today, the Kremlin-funded news network, has come under fire for its handling of the Russian invasion of the Crimean peninsula. Even the article I read from RT's website seemed harsh, and it's true, we don't understand the full scope of the conflict overseas. On the other hand, I've mostly disagreed with Russia's stance on Ukraine, while recognizing that Ukraine's minority groups need their rights protected. Much of the world sees Putin as a cold and distant person, indifferent to different groups of people.

And America is no saint either. We've interfered in at least thirty-five countries affairs in the last God-knows how many years, and we've supported the worst of the worst: terrorists, fascists, the worst of the worst, without learning what these groups were truly about. Ukraine this year is no exception to that rule. (See my earlier blog posts).

This is another burning question: what business does Facebook have for supporting CPAC? It goes against the website's support for liberal causes.

The fact that China is increasing defense spending scares me. Something about China and its government put me at unease, and I wish we could see some sort of revolt in China and democracy brought there. It would make me really happy. And let's not make the Japanese out to be the bad guys: they've been very peaceful since World War II.

Robert Gates is becoming the anti-Republican Republican. In an interview with David Ignatius, the former secretary of defense said that the Republicans need to stop criticizing Obama's policy on Ukraine. Apparently for once, Gates agrees somewhat with Obama on his handling of the Crimean conflict, making some good points, one being to "avoid loose talk about military options."