We need to have a chat...

I've been toying with making this post for a while now, but I can't really keep my mouth shut about it anymore.

I am sick to death of people hating on Russia and the Olympics - not that I don't agree with most points made, but because you're all doing it for the wrong fucking reasons.

Yes, the state of the Olympic Village is a joke. Yes, Russia should have gotten its shit together and made it actually functional in time for the games and the arrival of the Olympians. However, that's kind of an outrageous expectation given the infrastructure of the area. So why the Olympic Committee decided to award the winter games to a place where they don't have, I dunno, decent running water, let alone SNOW, is beyond me, but they did.

I'm used to janky shit here. This is nothing shocking. Professionally, sure, be indignant about it I guess? There are worse things to do than going to a bedroom to check into a hotel?

Welcome to Eastern Europe?

Done this more than once. Continue to feel like a rockstar, and know that there are people all over the world who don't have clean water to drink, let alone wash their faces with.

Yeah, sorry. I'm gonna put this under the category of "stop being a pussy, please." This is what you're the most surprised about? This? Seriously? Have you ever been outside of your house? I know plenty of places in the States where you can't flush the toilet paper. Plus, hey, guys! Be thankful you have Western toilets! They could've given you the middle finger and made you all use squat toilets, which guess what! Are even MORE of a culture shock than having to throw your toilet paper in a trash can!

Now, I realize that from a worldwide standpoint, maybe if you're hosting the Olympics you should maybe not suck ass at it. And sure. I'm with you guys on that. But there are way more grievous things in play that we need to discuss.

And I'm not even talking about the killing of the stray dogs, which is a whole other diatribe. 

Yes, it's sad. I love dogs. I think dogs are the best fucking things on this planet. I think life is vastly improved by dogs in ways that are immeasurable. If I have to categorize myself, I would put a check in the box next to "Dog Person." But that's because I'm from the first world. I've got the capital to sit there and even entertain the notion of a "pet," since that whole concept is a first world ideal. Dogs in developing nations everywhere are either help or pests. They don't live in your homes, they don't snuggle with you and make you feel better. They live their lives herding your sheep, defending your cows, guarding your house, or dumpster diving. That's it. Many of them have all sorts of parasites and diseases, rabies being among them. So what was it exactly that Sochi was supposed to do with their dogs? Round them up and adopt them? To who? Russians? Russians who can't even feed their families, let alone carry the extra burden of an animal? 

Again, I think it's a sad place to be in when shooting huge amounts of animals is the only viable option, but that's kind of the grim reality of being in the developing world. And while it makes me sad and my stupid little heart breaks every time I see some mangey starving stray, I think the global discussion needs to actually be turned to the malnutrition of the kids in these places before we can think about imposing our own cultural frames of "what is right" on places that don't have the same problems we, ourselves, do. Basically what I'm saying is this - when my third graders will stop having brown teeth due to vitamin deficiency and lack of basic dental care, then I will worry about the stray dog population of the developing world. Until then, humans first.

Speaking of humans, yeah, Russia's anti-gay movement is awful. I think it's terrible, and fascist and a million other words to describe the sheer monstrousness of it. But what kills me are the Americans acting all superior over them. Hey! Americans! Take a look at our own country! People are still regularly beat up for liking the same gender. We're still shocked when someone says, "I'm gay." Only 17 of our states have legalized same sex marriages, while numerous others still don't allow it because it's against their own stately constitutions. I don't think we really get to sit there and wag the finger at Russia, guys. Yes, we're taking huge steps forward, and I love that, and we are definitely on the right track! I'm not trying to detract anything from the progress that's been made in regards to the LGBT community, and not trying to say they shouldn't be excited about what's been going on! I just am not really sure we get to be high and mighty with anyone in regards to gay rights at the moment.

But human rights haven't ever really been something the Russian government has paid attention to. Hundreds of thousands were deported from the Caucasus Mountains area during Soviet times; an act later renamed as a "genocide," especially in regards to the Chechen population. The destruction of religious spaces and cultural points of pride in Georgia alone is infuriating, and that's not even counting the annihilation of ethnic groups in Abkhazia, Ossetia, Dagestan, and Chechnya. And that's only this in this small part of the world; that's ignoring all of the westerly post-Soviet satellite states, like Ukraine, which are a whole other can of worms.

The catalyst for me finally making this post, however, was an article sent to me by a friend and fellow TLG volunteer. Although it's all in Russian, a quick trip to Google Translate helped suss out what all it was saying. This is a transcription of a security conference held in Armenia, with several Russian officials in attendance. Below are some of the best gems:

"Fundamental importance for Russia and the Eurasian Union is the Central Caucasus . Here is the key to security in the region , a direct military access to the Middle East, the most convenient corridor for overland trade with Iran, Iraq , Turkey. Russia needs direct transport infrastructure and access to Armenia to maintain combat capability and capacity building military base in Gyumri . Now , many questions arise in Yerevan , how will the economy of the CU and the EEC , the Eurasian Union without a common border . This topic will be removed in the near future . Direct border between Armenia and Russia , the Eurasian Union and Armenia will be installed in the next 2-4 years , Russia will have direct access to Armenia , and Armenia in Russia , unhindered access to the Black and Caspian Seas."

"Such withdrawal will be implemented as a result of continuing the process of changing the borders in the Caucasus, the establishment of new fair borders , corresponding to the new economic and political realities . The basis of the new realities - the development of transport corridors , which was laid in the Russian Empire , developed in the Soviet Union , and will be actively developed in the framework of the Eurasian Union."

"Rapid implementation of these projects is related to the just decision of the Ossetian issue that has not yet been finally resolved . There is a recognized Russian Republic of South Ossetia ( RSO ), but the boundaries that it takes , the boundaries of the former South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast ( YUOAO ) within the Georgian SSR does not correspond to historical reality and notions of justice. Most recently, in the early 90 - ies of XX century from the inner regions of modern Georgia was expelled about 100,000 Ossetians. Most of them were squeezed out of the Trialeti Ossetia (region , which was supposed to , but did not enter the early 20 -ies in YUOAO ) , Gori and Kazbek district of Georgia. Accordingly, there is a question of respect for human Ossetian refugees to return and the establishment of fair borders in the Caucasus with the inclusion of the United Ossetia , Gori District WG Trialeti Ossetia , Kazbek district and district WG They . Thus, under the control of Russia would Transcaucasian highway exit to Armenia , Georgian Military Highway , linking Vladikavkaz and Tbilisi and Ossetian Military Road, which after laying asphalt fabric tie Northern Caucasus to Western Georgia and Batumi port . Changing borders Ossetia will promote Eurasian transport infrastructure in the Caucasus. Transcaucasian highway and railway through South Ossetia (including Gori district and Trialet Ossetia ) will get access to the Akhalkalaki and Akhaltsikhe present-day Georgia and then to Armenia and Iran."

"These changes are objective, natural and inevitable . Russia several times went to the Caucasus in its history , and Russia has always returned to the Caucasus. And each time you return changed regional boundaries and economic schemes . They have already started to change with the emergence and recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. This process is not yet finished . It will create a new regional infrastructure and the new Eurasian reality that will give a new impetus to Russian- Iranian cooperation in the South Caucasus."

Sorry that they're not smaller snippets, but this is kind of a huge issue, and it's one that hasn't been discussed AT ALL in the English speaking world. What Armenia and Russia are wanting would mean no more Georgia. It would mean Georgia becomes a part of the Russian Federation again. This is a super nationalistic group of people. They're not going to just give up their country so that Russia and Armenia can be buddies. Not to get all dramatic on everyone, but this is basically Russia and Armenia saying they don't give a shit if they have to take this land by force which, spoilers, they will have to. 

I don't know how high up the man who was quoted saying all of that is. But the fact that it was discussed openly at all makes me really uncomfortable. Infrastructure changes aside, it's going to be a huge drain on this region in terms of resources and human life, neither of which it can really afford. 

"These changes are objective, natural and inevitable." 

This is some scary shit, everyone. So can we please get off the toilet-indignity train and start being pissed about the Olympics for actual reasons?

The full, translated, text from the Russian article is available after this jump:

Mikhail Chernov

Deputy Director of Insurance

Dear comrades , ladies and gentlemen !

Participation in the international conference "Security and Cooperation in the South Caucasus " , so important and timely for all our nations event - a great honor for me.

2014-2017 years will be momentous in the history of our nations and our people . The process of formation of the Customs Union ( CU) of Russia , Belarus and Kazakhstan , the Eurasian Economic Community (EEC ), which is inevitable in the future and gain some political form is already running. Fitted and fixed terms. UES will be effective from January 1, 2015 . In this organization , I'm sure will come in and the Republic of Armenia . By 2017, the Eurasian Union will acquire its own , more clear state matrix , which will take its rightful place most of the post-Soviet countries .

The logic of Russia's return to the Caucasus related to objective economic and political interests of the future of the Eurasian Union in the Greater Caucasus and the Middle East . In the Caucasus, there are three economic regions . First, it is the eastern Caucasus , which includes Astrakhan region, Dagestan and Azerbaijan . This area is entirely linked with the countries of the Caspian, Central Asia and Iran , mining projects and transit of hydrocarbons , Caspian trade. The second region - Central Caucasus - treat him Russian Stavropol region , Chechnya, Ingushetia , Kabardino-Balkaria , Karachay -Cherkessia, North and South Ossetia , the eastern part of Georgia and Armenia . Central Caucasus region associated with the development of hydropower, mining and technology. He also will become the core infrastructure and the transport matrix of all of the Greater Caucasus . The third region include West Caucasus , which includes the Krasnodar Territory, Adygea , Republic of Abkhazia , the western part of Georgia , Adjara, Samegrelo and Svaneti . This region is focused on cooperation and relations with the countries of the Black Sea and the Mediterranean basin , with the European Union . It is the gate of the Greater Caucasus to Europe and out of the Eurasian Union in Southern Europe.

Fundamental importance for Russia and the Eurasian Union is the Central Caucasus . Here is the key to security in the region , a direct military access to the Middle East, the most convenient corridor for overland trade with Iran, Iraq , Turkey. Russia needs direct transport infrastructure and access to Armenia to maintain combat capability and capacity building military base in Gyumri . Now , many questions arise in Yerevan , how will the economy of the CU and the EEC , the Eurasian Union without a common border . This topic will be removed in the near future . Direct border between Armenia and Russia , the Eurasian Union and Armenia will be installed in the next 2-4 years , Russia will have direct access to Armenia , and Armenia in Russia , unhindered access to the Black and Caspian Seas .

Such withdrawal will be implemented as a result of continuing the process of changing the borders in the Caucasus, the establishment of new fair borders , corresponding to the new economic and political realities . The basis of the new realities - the development of transport corridors , which was laid in the Russian Empire , developed in the Soviet Union , and will be actively developed in the framework of the Eurasian Union . Main motorways , which will link the Russian North Caucasus and West Kazakhstan and Transcaucasia - Transcaucasian highway ( Transkei ) . She was commissioned in late 1986 . Currently route operates with restrictions and connects North Caucasus with the Republic of South Ossetia . For political reasons, the route is blocked on the border of South Ossetia with Georgia near the village of Ergneti . Besides being reconstructed main gallery Rukskogo tunnel , which will take about two years. Currently, the tunnel operates in the reverse mode . TRANSCOM needs to be modernized with new RF technologies for laying pavement of postnapryazhennyh or prestressed concrete slabs that will carry any range of military and civilian goods without prejudice to the track , including heavy military equipment . In addition, plans compound the North Caucasus Railway (NCR ) with the Transcaucasian railway. For this is to be built a stretch of road Alagir -Tskhinvali ( about 150 kilometers ) and renovated roadblock Tskhinvali - Gori. Plans for rail access to the Caucasus through the Great Caucasian Ridge were still in the Russian Empire, specific projects were considered and were studied in the Soviet Union and the Russian Federation in the 30s , 60s and 90s of the twentieth century . However, they have not been implemented. In 2008, the head of Russian Railways Vladimir Yakunin at a meeting with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev announced the start of work on the preparation of the project of construction of railway communication between Russia and South Ossetia. The project is currently being worked in specialized departments . Roads and railways will connect the Russian Federation, Western Kazakhstan through Ossetia and Armenia with further access to Iran , including perspective and rail .

Rapid implementation of these projects is related to the just decision of the Ossetian issue that has not yet been finally resolved . There is a recognized Russian Republic of South Ossetia ( RSO ), but the boundaries that it takes , the boundaries of the former South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast ( YUOAO ) within the Georgian SSR does not correspond to historical reality and notions of justice. Most recently, in the early 90 - ies of XX century from the inner regions of modern Georgia was expelled about 100,000 Ossetians. Most of them were squeezed out of the Trialeti Ossetia (region , which was supposed to , but did not enter the early 20 -ies in YUOAO ) , Gori and Kazbek district of Georgia. Accordingly, there is a question of respect for human Ossetian refugees to return and the establishment of fair borders in the Caucasus with the inclusion of the United Ossetia , Gori District WG Trialeti Ossetia , Kazbek district and district WG They . Thus, under the control of Russia would Transcaucasian highway exit to Armenia , Georgian Military Highway , linking Vladikavkaz and Tbilisi and Ossetian Military Road, which after laying asphalt fabric tie Northern Caucasus to Western Georgia and Batumi port . Changing borders Ossetia will promote Eurasian transport infrastructure in the Caucasus. Transcaucasian highway and railway through South Ossetia (including Gori district and Trialet Ossetia ) will get access to the Akhalkalaki and Akhaltsikhe present-day Georgia and then to Armenia and Iran . In parallel , the question of the construction of the Sukhumi Military Road , which will connect the North Caucasus and Karachay- Cherkessia with the Abkhaz port of Sukhumi and Ochamchira . Need for the construction of this road (or rather the road section through the Great Caucasus Range) is associated congestion Black Sea ports of Novorossiysk and Tuapse and overloaded cars and railway infrastructures suitable to these ports . The remaining parts of East and West Georgia will also be included in the process of Eurasian integration .

Another thoroughfare important for Armenia will be the opening Avar- Kakheti highway , which will connect the eastern Georgia to the port of Makhachkala. In 2008, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the need to open this route in 2013, with a corresponding statement was made by the head of Dagestan Ramazan Abdulatipov . Meanwhile, the Avar- Kakheti road already exists, and it is only necessary to asphalt . In 1991, entrepreneur Dagestan Magomed Kebedov registered cooperative "Builder" with a plan to finish construction of Avar- Kakheti road. By 1996, he completed the construction of 55 km section of which 36 kilometers have passed through Georgia on their own and borrowed funds . In 1997, the border was to be opened checkpoint , but in the same year , Russian border guards closed the road.

Processes of creation of new transport infrastructure in the Caucasus, in the interests of the Eurasian Union will have a significant impact on Armenia .

1. Direct access to the Russian Federation to put an end to the economic and transport blockade of Armenia by external players.

2 . Will the rapid expansion of the economy through the development of RA Mines and Energy , construction and reconstruction of railways and roads , transit .

3 . Armenia will get access to the Black Sea port of Batumi in Adjara and on to the Black Sea and the Mediterranean basin and in Europe , direct independent access and establishing communication with Abkhazia and the North Caucasus region , where a significant number of ethnic Armenians , which is also important for the development of the Armenian state and the economy Armenia.

4 . Armenia will receive a short exit to the Caspian Sea bypassing Azerbaijan .

5 . Dramatically increase the level and quality of cooperation between Armenia and Iran Eurasian . In terms of infrastructure RA will cease to be a dead-end branch to Iran, and become a serious partner for transit to Russia and exchange platform and the introduction of modern technologies and technological solutions .

These changes are objective, natural and inevitable . Russia several times went to the Caucasus in its history , and Russia has always returned to the Caucasus. And each time you return changed regional boundaries and economic schemes . They have already started to change with the emergence and recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. This process is not yet finished . It will create a new regional infrastructure and the new Eurasian reality that will give a new impetus to Russian- Iranian cooperation in the South Caucasus .