Constant US-Russia tensions lead to a lot of very petty fights. This
week, it’s a “visa war” over US teachers intended for an
English-language school in Moscow, where US diplomats attend.
It’s not an immediate issue since it is summer vacation, but Ambassador Jon Huntsman still accused Russia of using children as “pawns in diplomatic disputes,” and insisted that the issue be resolved before the school year begins.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry said the US had started this two years ago by
refusing to issue visas for Russian-language teachers who work on the
grounds of Russia’s Embassy in the US. They say they’re just mirroring
the US policy.
Russian officials added they are willing to give the English teachers
visas if the US reciprocates for the Russian teachers, and also accused
the US of holding Russian children as “hostages of American diplomacy.”
This is truly unfortunate, but cannot be avoided. The problem that most foreign governments have is inability to address issues in a timely manner. So, like in this case, wait two years to respond. There is this belief out there that US is an impetuous and capricious power, give them time, and will reverse stupid decisions, and pretend nothing has happened. This turning of blind eye gas created conditions in which we never expect any countermeasures. But the world has woken up the reality of sanctions , prohibitions, blacklists, ultimatums. Creating an atmosphere of never ending complications. The responses are now coming in a more timely fashion, using tools as may be available. Stopping some imports, on various grounds, changing procedures, or refusing trash delivery — all methods of returning in kind.
We are seeing the beginning of trash wars. In latest example, Cambodia. Forever our target for the lack of “democracy”, it is fighting with what it has at its disposal — our trash. So now we know how are our plastic bottles “recycled”.