Why did Russia annex Crimea? The mainstream narrative is much too simplistic.
When you look back in time, Crimea has a very complicated history. Basically neither Ukraine, nor Russia have the upper moral hand, although Crimea was part of to the Russuin Empire for a far longer period of time.
But after the forced relocation of it's majority Tatar and Greek inhabitants and repopulation, Crimea's majority became overwhelmingly ethnically Russian. They opted to join Russia, through the referendum. And Russians have a higher cultural affinity to the region than Ukrainians do (see their writers) .
So while Putin was in no right to annex Crimea, his was a soft coup as opposed to an invasion.
Why did he do it? Opinions vary.
Some say that it was due to Putin's desire to rebuild "The great empire."
Others say that it was because of it's strategic position. Most of the Black Sea ports were already NATO base, NATO's regional arms have been doing lots of posturing prior to 2014. The naval base in Sevastopol would have been Russia's best defense in front of a potential NATO's threat.
Who knows...
Yes, Russia is both an ongoing threat to the region (as you rightfully pointed out about it's other acts of aggression), and has engaged in espionage and subversive activities against the States and other countries.
But American Mass Media isn't helping by painting things with such a lack of nuance.
I'm baffled by Mass Media's exclusive focus on "The Russians are coming!" instead of focusing on things that are much more threatening to the West (ie China's rise as a superpower, the petro-yuan and so on)
When you look back in time, Crimea has a very complicated history. Basically neither Ukraine, nor Russia have the upper moral hand, although Crimea was part of to the Russuin Empire for a far longer period of time.
But after the forced relocation of it's majority Tatar and Greek inhabitants and repopulation, Crimea's majority became overwhelmingly ethnically Russian. They opted to join Russia, through the referendum. And Russians have a higher cultural affinity to the region than Ukrainians do (see their writers) .
So while Putin was in no right to annex Crimea, his was a soft coup as opposed to an invasion.
Why did he do it? Opinions vary.
Some say that it was due to Putin's desire to rebuild "The great empire."
Others say that it was because of it's strategic position. Most of the Black Sea ports were already NATO base, NATO's regional arms have been doing lots of posturing prior to 2014. The naval base in Sevastopol would have been Russia's best defense in front of a potential NATO's threat.
Who knows...
So, Russia hasn't sold off lots of WMDs, interfered with the Ukraine, seized Crimea and parts of Georgia through puppets, suppressed the rights of LGBT Russians, coddled the Russian Orthodox Church, silenced Russian dissidents, and helped Assad stay in power? Next you'll try to convince me that Russia's a democracy.
The only bullshit is Russian propaganda denying their role in such things.
Yes, Russia is both an ongoing threat to the region (as you rightfully pointed out about it's other acts of aggression), and has engaged in espionage and subversive activities against the States and other countries.
But American Mass Media isn't helping by painting things with such a lack of nuance.
I'm baffled by Mass Media's exclusive focus on "The Russians are coming!" instead of focusing on things that are much more threatening to the West (ie China's rise as a superpower, the petro-yuan and so on)
