Russian, Western Cultures Dissimilar

L. Todd Wood has written for RealClearWorld an assessment of the ways in which Russian culture is unlike that of "the West." If you only read one column this year about Russia, this should be it. Some samples:

Russian culture suffers to this day from the effects of centuries of rule by the Golden Barbarian Hordes of Middle Asia. (snip) A governmental system of strongmen was set up to whom you had to pay homage and tribute. This system still exists in Russia today.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper was right when he said Russia doesn't share Western values. That is no secret, but the greater point is, they don't want to share Western values!

Western governments should realize they are not dealing with the same type of person when sitting across the negotiating table. Russians play to win. If they need to act nice, they will. If they need to kill you to get what they want, they will. I don't think U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry or President Barack Obama frankly comprehend that reality.

Russians don't like Western culture. They see it as morally bankrupt and corrupt.

Wood doesn't "think" U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry or President Barack Obama comprehend the Russian reality? No kidding; such comprehension would be both inconvenient and uncomfortable, forcing a wrenching reassessment of their shared Pollyanna-like world view.