Chicago Tribune’s Criticism of Putin’s North Korea Visit Unfortunate on Several Levels

For starters, the editorial ‘Mr. Putin goes to Pyongyang and we don’t like that show’ is filled with hyperbolic anti Putin rhetoric. Instead of relying on an esteemed political scientist to analyze Putin’s psyche, the Trib quotes the dramatist of ‘The Crown’ who sees Putin as “an obscure deputy mayor of St. Petersburg who rose up to be an unreconstructed thug.” That adds no value to understanding one of the most influential world leaders who is currently running diplomatic rings around President Biden. His leadership in both the non-aligned Shanghai Cooperation Organization and BRICS, together containing many nonaligned nations comprising over half the world’s population, spells the approaching end to US unipolar world dominance.

A second problem is mischaracterizing the last 33 years since the demise of the Soviet Union. The Trib blames Putin’s obsession with old Soviet ways for the current proxy warfare with Russia in Ukraine. Had the US not broken their pledge to not move NATO eastward after Russia allowed German reunification, there would be no catastrophic war in Ukraine today. The US expanded NATO from 16 to 32 countries since that breakup and still plans to add Ukraine once they defeat Russia. Not a chance of either.

The third concern deals with the Trib‘s frenzied fretting over Russia and North Korea inking a Comprehensive Mutual Partnership Agreement which provides mutual assistance in event of aggression against either party to the agreement. This agreement is a pittance compared to America’s massive doubling of NATO since the Soviet Union went poof 33 years ago. It also pales in comparison to US developing the QUAD (US, India, Japan, Australia) and AUKUS (US, UK, Australia) designed to encircle China which may precipitate war in the Pacific, 7,000 miles from the Homeland.

That begs the question: Why is it OK for America to greatly expand its alliances against Russia and China, but destabilizing for Russia to stick a baby toe in the Grand Alliance game?

It’s time for the Chicago Tribune to drop the scurrilous name calling of world leaders it fears and hates. It’s time for the Trib to add value to the debate of rising worldwide tensions that could lead to nuclear Armageddon. In foreign policy, it’s time for the Chicago Tribune to trust its readership with the truth.

Walt Zlotow became involved in antiwar activities upon entering University of Chicago in 1963. He is current president of the West Suburban Peace Coalition based in the Chicago western suburbs. He blogs daily on antiwar and other issues at www.heartlandprogressive.blogspot.com.