User:Nanobear~enwiki/Sobell quote

Why is it that Putin is invariably described as former KGB goon who wants to restore the Soviet Union when actually he has never made such claims? Why is Russia portrayed as a “resurgent” and “aggressive” power, when it merely reacts defensively to encirclement by NATO? Why was the Putin regime accused of waging a “cyber war” against Estonia, when the Estonian Internet security officials themselves have described such claims as nonsense? Why are Putin and his regime accused of being behind the killing of Alexander Litvinenko and Anna Politkovskaya, when there is no credible evidence to support these accusations? Why is Gazprom, and consequently the Kremlin, accused of “gas blackmail,” when it merely withholds supplies due to the non-payment of debts? Why is it considered an article of faith that Medvedev faced “no opposition” in the presidential elections, when in fact there were two experienced opposition candidates? Why was Kasyanov said to be banished from the race, when in fact he failed to comply with the rules? Why is the degree of “oppression” of “dissidents” constantly exaggerated and portrayed as if Russia still was the Soviet Union? Why is Russia deemed to have no independent media, when in fact it has a very thriving free press? (Regarding this point, I would argue that the limitations indirectly imposed by Putin are in some ways comparable to limitations in the Western countries). Why is Russia’s spectacular economic recovery constantly ridiculed as being the result of little else but high hydrocarbon prices? The list could go on and on. —Dr. Vlad Sobell, Daiwa Research