Being American doesn’t mean ignoring facts. Ron Paul right about Trump-Putin meeting.

In the era of torn Russian relations, Ron Paul takes a step back and views more information than almost any pundit on air or on twitter. It’s bipartisan to hate Russian, and that causes many Americans to hold inconsistent views on foreign policy issues related to Russia.

The media’s coverage on all things related to Russia was bad before it’s terrible coverage of Trump. We need a balanced factual approach to foreign relations with Russia. Not everything is Russia’s fault. America needs a new approach to Russia, and Trump can bring that.

John Kerry spent so much time picking losing battles with Russia and the United States needs to move on from these geopolitical skirmishes. Part of this means throwing the Obama administration under the bus. Between John Kerry and Hillary Clinton, US interests in the Middle East, Asia, and Europe faced setbacks. Only then can we have a better relationship with Russia.

I appreciate Ron Paul’s perspective because, in an era of hot takes and the political popularity of Russia hating, he maintains a just perspective that embraces facts.

US Russia Factsheet

US and Russia

• These two countries have the largest nuclear arsenal
• US military currently miles ahead of Russia
• Relations have ever been good
• Both (sort of) friends with the Kurds
• Russia largely used as scapegoat, punching bags in American politics
• Trump administration upped military spending
• US through NATO still practices a containment policy with regards to Russia
• Both countries have issues with Islamic terrorism
• Working together on North Korea issue

Russia

• Is not a free country
• Does not pretend to be a free country (like Europe)
• Its people largely view the break up of the Soviet Union as a tragedy (regardless of feelings about communism)
• Actually likes Putin, a lot (strangely)
• Has had Putin at the helm for decades

Iran

• Putin came out in affirmation of the Iran Deal
• Trump remained opposed
• This point of contention was largely ignored by the media
• Russia and Iran are allies
• Iran taking control of Iraq through Shia paramilitaries
• Backs Houthi rebels in Yemen

Iraq

• Invaded by the US in 2003
• War lost when the Obama Administration refused to negotiate a status of forces agreement
• Iraqi military fell apart to ISIS when they invaded from Syria
• Iranian backed militias filled the vacuum
• Status of Kurds unclear

Syria

• Russia has a vested interest in Syria
• Russia was instrumental to the Fall of ISIS in Syria
• The US, under the Obama administration, played a role in the Islamic State’s rise
• Syrian people better off under Assad regime than Islamist rebels
• Syrian Rebels are terrorists, usually rebrandings of Al Qaeda
• Assad regime doesn’t persecute Christians to near the same extent as its alternative have or would
• Syrian Christians largely support the government
• “Syrian Rebels” have no strategic leverage, are fighting a lost war
• Government war atrocities, alleged or proven, have not occurred in territory held by SAA forces
• NATO ally Turkey performing land grab in Syria
• Syria props up Hezbollah terror organization
• Syria is a historic enemy of Israel

Ukraine

• Democratically elected government in Ukraine overthrown in a coup backed by EU
• Russia invaded Ukraine
• Russia annexed Ukraine following a referendum vote
• Polling shows Crimeans uninterested in becoming Ukrainian again
• Ukraine does not have the military capabilities to take Crimea back
• Ukraine is not an American ally
• Ukraine helped North Korea
• Ukraine colluded with Hillary campaign for damaging information on Trump

Turkey

• Turkey is a member of NATO
• Turkey opposes Israel
• Turkey provoked war with Russia by downing Russian jet
• Turkey becoming increasingly Islamic under neo-Ottoman regime
• Kemalism was killed in the attempted coup
• Ergodan held a referendum to grant himself more power
• Russia and Turkey have an arrangement in Syria to not fight each other
• Turkey performing land grab in Syria
• Turkey killing Kurds in Syria
• Turkey backing its own Islamist in Syria

Israel

• Trump administration the most Israel-friendly administration in US history
• Russia opposes Israel on a geopolitical level (along with most US allies)
• Russia backs enemies of Israel
• US backs enemies of Israel (Saudis)
• Israel believed to have nuclear capabilities

Libya

• US and Russia back differing factions
• US played large role in destabilizing region during the rebellion
• Terrorist that America aided attack a US consulate and murdered four people, including Ambassador Stevens

2016 Election

• US has long history of meddling in foreign elections
• Russian meddling had no effect on the outcome of 2016 election
• DNC never handed over server to investigators
• Indictments are not convictions, not even close
• Russia should be embarrassed if that was their attempt to interfere in a US election
• Media overplaying story because they dislike Trump

US Agencies

• Trump sided with Russia over US agencies on election interference
• American public largely distrusts FBI, CIA, and other government agencies
• Hillary Clinton still hasn’t been indicted