Putin's Russia by Anna Politkovskaya

I was wondering lately why the Western elite is so naive in relations with Putin's Russia. Why famous journalists of the NYT and Foreign Policy, assume that they can apply to Russia the Western standards, why they believe that signed agreement will be respected, how can they consider that the image of Russia presented in the English language RT television is real. I have the impression, that today even Republicans known for its suspicion with relations to Russia,  behave like children in the fog.

If they have read Politkovskaya, after all, they would know that this is not a country that uses democratic standards. So why not  Politkovskaya became required reading for American whizzes international politics and the media authority promoted by CNN? No, because it is useless.
In my opinion, Politkovskaya stories are steeped in Slavic soul, and only the reader endowed with such sensitivity, can appreciate and fully understand her journalism. I do not agree, that this is a book about Putin. I also believe that not a political dimension is crucial for this book. It is an emotional analysis of the Russian society, depraved by an evil power. 
Reading some of the stories, you can have the impression that this is not contemporary Russia, but the tsarist times and portrayed characters have been described by Chekhov. As in Checkov novels, you will find here stories about simple people, who are maneuvering in a heartless, hostile system to realize their mundane goals, harming the weaker. There are also utterly honest patriots who endure with dignity their plight. There is also poverty, not less than the tsarist regime. Politkovskaya wrote about real Russia, without the glitz of Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Knowing so well the realities governing modern Russia like Politkovskaya did, what courage she needed to have to write about it directly, without embellishments, without reticence, without a doubt. Is it worth dying for the truth about Russia? This question is not only to Politkovskaya but also to B. Nemtsov, A. Litvinenko, and many others, already gone. Probably today with the same thought goes to sleep many opposition figures in Putin's Russia.

The tragic consequences of shameless affair and its poisoned fruits - Grigorij Rasputin and Georgij Gapon

The reforms of Peter the Great, subordinated the structure of the church to the government in many aspects. Catherine the Great continued Peter's policy about relations with the Church. She has secularized all the church properties and established secular jurisdiction for the convents.
Successive tsars increasingly subordinated the church hierarchy to themselves, while relying on the authority of the Church to legitimize their power.
The Orthodoxy was also unscrupulously exploited to the political struggle inside and outside the country. A characteristic example is a war with Napoleon. At the behest of Tsar, Orthodox Church called Napoleon the Antichrist and urged the nation to fight a holy war between good and evil.

Religious and moral pressure on believers, aimed at mobilizing them to fierce fighting was also emphasized at the activity of the Holy Alliance as well as during the Crimean War (1853-1856).
Orthodox church was an important instrument of an expansion, not only by supporting military actions but also conducting missionary activities both on the annexed land and abroad.
The schools run by the monks taught obedience to the Tsar, the Russian tradition and culture. Evangelizing activity was carried out on a large scale throughout the world, including Palestine, China, and America.
The period in the history of the Russian Orthodox Church, starting from the rule of Peter the Great and completed by the 1917 revolution could be summed up, that the affair with the regime, never ends well. Completely subordinated to the regime church and the instrumental use of the faith and its followers discouraged some intelligence from the mainstream of Russian Orthodoxy. Russians began to seek the new authority, spiritual renewal, symbolism and mystical experiences.
In the nineteenth century, the centers of spiritual life become monasteries and hermitages. The best known are Monastery Sarovo and hermitage in Optino.

Hermits who lived there, have become symbols of the true faith, asceticism, a return to the roots of the Orthodox Church. The conviction of the need for spiritual renewal of Russia, are visible in the philosophy of Soloviev and literature of Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky.

Based on the longing for simplicity as well as the faith in the mystical ability of the ascetic monks, was created the cult of Rasputin. Grigorij Rasputin appeared at the tsarist court in 1905. He was presented as a mysterious healer, holy man, and a spiritual guide. Rasputin was supposed to treat suffering from hemophilia Tsarevich Alexei. Some historians argue that his success in the treatment of Tsarevich, Rasputin obtained by using hypnosis.
There is not much information about the previous period of his life. He was born in approx.1869. Was known as a hooligan, a horse thief, vagabond. Apparently, during the attempted theft, he was heavily battered and experienced internal changes. He began to wander the holy places, struck a moralist post as well as learned some quackery and healed people. He has also claimed that he has the gift of clairvoyance.
The man with such a dubious past, however, was the most influential person in the court of the last Russian Tsar Nicholas II. Rasputin, called "tsar without a crown" was a favorite of the Empress as well as the majority of St. Petersburg ladies. Despite the repulsive appearance, lack of personal hygiene and boorish behavior was the most desirable man in St. Petersburg. The fame of the lecher, who can indulge in carnal pleasures for many hours with multiple partners at the same time, opened for him many doors and hearts. For dozens of venerable ladies, he was both spiritual and body guide.

Even more surprising is the political career of this illiterate peasant. Without a doubt, he was the most influential man at the court of Nicholas II.  Representatives of the St. Petersburg's elite and diplomacy, terrified with an unlimited contract of confidence signed with him, interceded with Tsar about Rasputin. Nicholas II answered them, that"better three Rasputins than one attack of Tsarina's hysteria". Unwillingness to Rasputin took public nature, after the next losses of Russian troops in skirmishes with the Germans during the First World War. Rasputin was suspected of deliberately advising Tsar ineffective military strategy and accused of being a German spy. In the end, Rasputin became someone so influential, that it was decided by his opponents to liquidate him immediately. Initially, he was given a large dose of cyanide in his wine, but surprisingly it didn't work. Then it was concluded to finish him off with the dagger, but he was still alive. Finally, he was shot several times. As he was still breathing, the assassins bound him and thrown under the ice on the Neva river. This happened on December 30, 1916 year.

Ten years earlier there was made another political murder of a clergyman, which is very significant for religious relations in Russia at that moment. Orthodox priest Griegorij Gapon, labor activist, led a demonstration of workers' with a petition to Tsar Nicholas II. The peaceful demonstration was fired upon by the military and under the name "Bloody Sunday" went down in history as the beginning of the 1905 revolution.

The role of the mysterious monk who gained the trust and sympathy of the workers aroused a lot of suspicions. Griegorij Gapon already in 1902 has reported to the secret police - Okhrana and offered his services. Gapon enjoyed great authority among the workers. He proposed the creation of the controlled labor movement, in support of the Tsar. By creating cheap eateries, organizing moralizing talks and direct material support to the poorest workers, police had hoped to solidify support among workers for the Tsar.

On the cold January morning 1905 the workers, women, and children singing, with portraits of Nicholas II and icons in the hands went into the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg. At the head of the marchers walked Gapon dressed in priestly robes. On the road, the peaceful march was stopped by the army. When manifesting refused to disperse, soldiers opened the fire killing hundreds of people.
After the demonstration, Gabon, surprisingly alive, went abroad, where he met with prominent leaders of the proletariat. After returning to Russia, Okhrana proposed him generous gratification for denunciations of the labor activists. Gabon agreed, not knowing that group of proletarians is listening to this conversation behind the wall. He was murdered on March 28, 1906.
Life of two best-known Russian Orthodox clergy on the beginning of the twentieth century, confirms that even the most passionate and promising romance with power does not end well. Dripping in gold Orthodox Church and its stinking rich hierarchy, for a generous remuneration offering support to autocracy and oppression of the subjects, lost public confidence. Church moving away from its role, weakened its authority and took out the holiness,  creating the crowds of ordinary crooks, who based on the social need of the sacred, were splashing in the profane.

Ivan the Terrible, Peter the Great - two different, but equally decisive ways to subordination of the church

The Orthodox culture dominated all the spheres of life in medieval Russia: spirituality, morality, domestic and state structure. The role of the church as an element of the state power was unassailable. However, since the fifteenth century, the governors began the process of becoming independent from the Church. This process was initiated by Ivan IV the Terrible, who separated the roles of the state and the church. Ivan IV, known for his cruelty and elaborate torture that applied to his bondsmen, did not spare recalcitrant priests. Leonid, Archbishop of Novgorod, was holed up in a bearskin and torn apart by dogs. The monks, who did not want to give up their valuables, were thrown to the hungry bears. Convicts were given spears to defend. One, who before his death was able to knock down the animal was later canonized. 
Lev Tolstoy wrote that the more shocking than the fact that there was Ivan the Terrible, is that there was a society that approved him.  The key element of the social loyalty to Ivan the Terrible as well as his remain in power was the national commitment to the Orthodox religion and Orthodox Tsar. Ivan IV emphasized at every step his devotion to religion, going on pilgrimage, praying in the church. He claimed that his absolute authority comes from God " If you are not obedient to the ruler who commits some offense, you become not only guilty of perfidy, but damn your soul to damnation because God orders you blind obedience to your prince. "
At the time of Ivan IV, there was created a set of lifestyle and laws regulations, governing family life and relationship to the Tsar and religion - Domostroj. The document was written in a language accessible and identifies three main aspects of life.
In Part I discusses duties to God and the Tsar, Part II- The ratio of the head of the family to his wife, children and family members, Part III - Gives the advice to run a household. The document recommended long prayer (also night time), strict observance of fasting, daily attendance at worship, as an ideal puts the wealthy and thrifty house, isolated from neighbors and self-sufficient, ruled by the father of the family. You can also find there an advice on how to treat a disobedient wife: "If the wife, son or daughter does not listen to words and ignores you, is not afraid and does not do what she was told by husband or a father or mother whip according to guilt; lash but not in front of  the people, but solitude: teach, say a kind word .... "
In the fifteenth century, the Orthodox Church clashed two main theories about the role of the Church in public life. The first was represented by Nil Sorsky, who claimed that the church should be poor, but fully independent of the secular. The second concept expressed by Josif Volocki, expected powerful, rich church fully cooperating with authorities. The second concept succeeds and became the base theory for ROC (Russian Orthodox Church)- state relations for centuries.  According to it, the church was supporting state power in all priority issues, and in cooperation with the government, it builds its power. The theory has survived for centuries in Russia, and Josif Volocki, for his services was canonized. His theory was fulfilling the idea of Moscow as the Third Rome, based on the symbiosis of the state and Orthodox Church.

Ivan punished people for shaving beards, for western wear, western books, and customs. Travel to the West was recognized as a treason.Compared to Ivan IV isolation strategy, Peter the Great and his West  - open attitude started the new chapter in the history of the Russian Orthodox Church, called the "Synod period". Profound changes in the symbiotic relationship between Church and state power have occurred during the reign of Peter the Great, who carried out the reform of subordinating the Church to the state power. Peter the Great has also begun the process of opening Russia to the West, thus limiting the impact of traditional values in the life of Russian society.
For progressive Tsar, Church was the symbol of Russian backwardness, so he decided to reform it completely and surrender state power. According to the Western mainstream Enlightenment, not shunned from overt criticism of the clergy, for drunkenness, selfishness, poor education and debauchery. After returning from a trip to Europe, Peter ordered his subjects shaving beards and dressed in European clothes. What is interesting, traditionally, on the icons the devil was presented without a beard and wearing German clothes.
In 1721  there was adopted a decree setting up a collective church authority,  which replaced one-person leadership in the church and was fully dependent on the Tsar. Synod had a competence in the interpretation of dogma and liturgy as well as regulated property issues of the Church.
Typical for a legal solution to the era of Peter was the edict of May 1722 obliging the clergy to denounce the authorities about cases of violations the law, which they learned during confession. 
According to the document obligation to denounce the criminal intention revealed during the confession was justified with Gospel. Argued that, an act of the confession was not fulfilled, as there was no sorrow for the sins. 
Zealous members of the clergy filled the obligation imposed on them too helpfully, keeping in view their own benefit. Refers to them,  "[...] it is better to err, reporting than silence" 
As was to be expected,  a number of the worshipers decided to avoid the confession, so the another Tsar edicts impose on the citizens the obligation of completing confession under threat of fines. In order to control the clergy were required, to keep records of acceding to confession. There was even introduced a system of written certificates of holding the confession, which was recommended to use remaining journeys.
Since the beginning of the eighteenth century, Tsar has started intensive subordination of monasteries, as well as the finances of the Church. In 1701 issued a decree depriving monasteries income of the ownership of land, property and manufacturing facilities, and obliging the state to provide in exchange material resources. The state administration also imposed on the Church organization of the hospitals, asylums, and organizing schools.
For sure the main reason of Peter the Great actions against the Church was to strengthen his own position. However, not the only one.  It was also about his fascination with Protestantism and western philosophy of the churches' role: - church more as a social servant than as a governor.
However, the role of the Orthodox Church in the eighteenth century Russia was not to be underestimated. The deep roots of faith in society, the distinctive element of Russians from neighboring Poles and Lithuanians, the mobilization to fight the enemy for the faith - it was all too important for the Tsar, to fully demolish the Orthodox Church.  

Crucial for the state were the main principles proclaimed by Orthodox Church. Particularly the humility, perfectly preparing its followers for the role of docile subjects of the state.
Peter the Great formally started to use the title of "father of the fatherland". It also meant that he took the position of the patriarch, to whom this title previously belonged.
Both Ivan the Terrible and Peter the Great realized vision of the total power basing on the religious tradition. Both intimidating, demeaning and using the humility of the orthodox society, changed the country bearing in mind the only creation of their own imperial, absolute power. 
The huge success of the adopted strategy is demonstrated by the fact that despite the unprecedented atrocities, which characterized their governments, in contemporary Russia, you can meet the monuments of Ivan the Terrible and Peter the Great.

Dadin, along with Magnitsky, Crimea, Donbass,"Boeing", Savchenko - straws not to be forgotten

Ildar Dadin was sentenced in December 2015, under Article 212.1 (for repeated participation in the opposition protests) to three years in a penal colony. His sentence was later reduced to two and a half years.

Nearly a year later, on November 1, 2016, a letter of Dadin was published, in which he claims that 12 people were beating him in the colony and hung him by his shackled hands behind his back, while the chief of the colony threatened him with rape and death. In the letter he describes:

“Over the course of that day, I was beaten a total four times, by 10-12 people at once...After the third beating, they lowered my head into a toilet right there in the holding cell.”He goes on to describe being cuffed and hung from the ceiling. “Being suspended in this manner brought about terrible pain in the wrists twisted out my elbows, and caused horrible back pain. I was suspended like that for half an hour.“Then they took off my underwear and said they would bring another prisoner to rape me unless I stopped my hunger strike.”The prison boss later allegedly told Dadin that if he complained his beatings could be made worse, and he could be killed and buried “under the fence”.

After his letter was published, unknown people sent messages in social networks to relatives and friends of Ildar Dadin telling that he was found hanged in his cell. After reading this message, Ildar Dadin's mother, who had a weak heart, was taken to hospital with suspected brain attack.

On the 24th of November, European Parament has adopted the resolution to release Mr. Dadin. 

Parliament calls on the Russian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Mr. Dadin and “all those detailed on false or unsubstantiated charges or for using their right to freedom of expression and assembly”.

Parliament also stresses the need for a thorough and transparent independent investigation after Mr. Dadin’s recent allegations of torture inside the prison. Russia is reminded by MEPs of the importance of its “full compliance” with its international legal obligations as per its membership of the Council of Europe and other such organizations.

History of Tsarist Russia, the USSR, and the Russian Federation knows many similar stories about activists, convicted by the government of the excessively high imprisonment, effected in inhuman conditions, often completed with the tragic death of a prisoner.

Several of these stories gained notoriety in the world, about some of the martyrs were created books and even movies. However the majority of dissidents didn't draw either the glory of international publicity or rehabilitation. They often stay in mass graves, together with other rebels against the big Russian Imperium, no matter under which political system they were active. 

Several times in the last month Russian media were calling to release two Russian prisoners, "illegally arrested" by the US and held there adjudged punishment - Victor Bout and Konstantin Yaroshenko. Viktor Bout - Russian "Lord of War" is the international arms dealer, sentenced by US court to 25 years imprisonment. Konstantin Yaroshenko is a Russian pilot, accused and convicted of drug trafficking to 20 years in prison. Russian press reports extensively about the drama of families of the two prisoners, about a sick mother of Yaroshenko and longing wife and children of Viktor Bout. Both the families and dealing with their story journalists, see hope in the new authorities of the White House.

So how the Russian media presents Dadin's case and his accusations against the prison administration. The regime logs provide "objective" information that according to the doctors, who examined Dadin, there is a lack of any signs of torture or ill-treatment, and that Dadin, as say representatives of the prison service has a huge imagination. The only newspaper that is considered in Russia as an independent "Novaya Gazieta" writes about "slipping on a banana peel" and Dadin's case as a second Magnitsky problem. In the article, they are advising the Russian government, to move Dadin to another criminal facility, otherwise once again will be loud about Russia: "Here, for example, will come to power Fillon and want to lift the sanctions against Russia, but as he does, when in his own parliament from all sides: Dadin, Magnitsky," Boeing "" Boeing ", Dadin, Magnitsky?" ...A straw and a straw, and you end up with a stack."

Regardless of the political system, in Russia, the single human being does not mean much. Sooner or later Mr. Dadin will join his better-known colleagues, Anna Politkovskaya, Boris Nemtsov, Siergiej Magnitsky,  Aleksiej Devotchenko, Natalia Estemirova, Aleksander Litvinenko. People responsible for those murders has never been arrested, judged and sentenced. That is how the tides of Russian history runs. 

Drawing by Danzig Baldaev

MEPs sound alarm on anti-EU propagand - why it is great, why it is now.

"The European Union is under increasing pressure propaganda practiced by the Russian government and the Islamist terrorist groups. Their goal is misinformation, engender a sense of danger and uncertainty and causing divisions in the EU." Members of the European Parliament have concluded these warnings in a resolution adopted on Wednesday, 23rd of November.
They advise strengthening of the EU office for strategic communications and dissemination of knowledge about the sensible use of Internet media. The author of the draft resolution is a Member of the European Parliament, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Poland - Mrs. Anna Fotyga. The adoption of this resolution caused, for obvious reasons, violent protests and accusations from the Kremlin saying that the resolution is a false representation of the Russian media. Representatives of the Russian authorities expressed their opposition for listing in the Russian media on par with Daesh propaganda and stressed the negative role of the straightening anti-Russian propaganda of the West.
It is extremely important but quite unexpected that European Parlament adopted this resolution. The text contains generally known facts, although the acceptance by the European Parliament a document that clearly shows the Russian propaganda and its sources, is surprising. It seemed that the illegal annexation of the Crimea and the occupation of eastern Ukraine are not big issues for EP anymore.
Therefore it can be assumed that the reason for the change in  Brussels' attitude could be the results of the presidential elections in the US. It is not clear yet, which of changes in foreign policy announced in the election campaign, will be realized by the administration of the new President Donald Trump. However, much more can be read from the signals that are coming from Moscow. Optimistic words flowing from the Kremlin about the" new opening" in relations with America combined with decisive moves in Moscow's Asian policy, must be a warning to European politicians.
Brussels noticed the danger of weakening the alliance with the United States and that is why it is uniting and representing the European Union as a strong, speaking with one voice block, defining a real threat of political propaganda. This is a clear signal for Moscow and the United States. The resolution, not without a reason, stresses that the objective of the Russian propaganda is an internal breakdown of the European Union as well as antagonize EU and USA.
It should emphasize the importance of the resolution in the context of the huge success of Polish diplomacy, as well as strengthen the role of the Baltic countries, skeptical of the Kremlin's policy. The adoption of this resolution shows, that pro -Russia block in EU, gathering countries like Greece, Hungary, and Italy, is not that strong, as Russian media would like to show it.
There is one more crucial element in this document, not explicitly stated in the text. In my opinion, the adoption of this document is the return to the most fundamental values of the European Union - to the respect of human rights, democracy, and freedom. Free, fair, objective media is one of the pillars of a free society. The resolution is a reminder to Europeans that access to objective information is a great value as well as the admonition to respect the eligibility to access to the objective media for the nations, which in the  21st century are deprived of this right.

First victim of Donald Trump's foreign policy

Donald Trump presidency is still a great unknown. We do not know the positions of the main cast, we do not know which of the election promises of the new President intends to implement. However, based on several short speeches of DT and simultaneously fast moves of Russia, you can definitely tell who will be the first victim of the change in US foreign policy: it's TOKYO.
Prime Minister Abe was the first head of state leads to a meeting with the President - elect, trying to keep a key for Japan's alliance with the United States. It didn't help. Donald Trump announced the withdrawal of the US from the TPP agreement. He also suggested the need for greater involvement of Japan in regional security issues. Russians do not waste time and place on the Kuril Islands anti-missile systems "Ball" and "Bastion". Placement of the new missile systems is a clear signal of the Russian Federation determined to preserve these areas for themselves. President Putin knows when to deal the final blow.
"America first" is the catchy and compelling watchword. However, the foreign policy of a great power, can not be based on the business strategy, "which now pays off." The post-war alliance with Japan was a key element in maintaining peace in the region. A loyal ally which for years was Japan gave the Americans an advantage over Russia and allowed to hold in check the other players in the region. Disassembly of long-term agenda in the region, where so unpredictable countries like China, Korea, and the Philippines are playing the power game, is at least unwise and short-sighted.Changing the balance in the region can directly lead to war.
The last argument, which apparently is not taken into consideration by new President - elect, is that American security guarantees for Japan (country till last year with pacifist constitution) is a matter of honor.

The role of the Orthodox Church in Russia - introduction

Fyodor Dostoyevsky is a famous Russian writer and intellectual known to the Western audience, as the author vibrantly filmed novels, such as The Brothers Karamazov, Crime and Punishment, White Nights. Probably they are now more popular than his political and religious views. Dostoyevsky was a deep believer in the Russian Orthodox Messianism, convinced of the need for the conquest of the world by the only legitimate religion and its chosen people. 

Dostoyevsky was based on the idea formulated by Philotheus of Pskov (b. Approx. 1450 d. 1525) Russian monk. Philotheus created the theory of the "Three Romes", according to which, after the fall of ancient Rome in 476 AD., and Constantinople in 1453., Moscow had become the center of the world - the "Third Rome". This concept became the official ideology of the Moscow tsars and the base for the expansionist policy of the Russian Empire. The Orthodox tradition was the bedrock of Dostoyevsky’s messianic visions of the future, so relevant today, in the face of Russian expansion.

The Russian Orthodox Church is the largest religious community in the Russian Federation, Belarus, and Ukraine. Eastern Christianity is an integral part of religious life in the years of history of the Russian state. In the fifteenth century Russia took on the role of protector of Orthodox Christianity and its rulers considered themselves as the heirs of the Byzantine civilization. The great Orthodox tradition is fundamental to understanding the religious and national identity of the Russians. According to the Byzantine tradition, Russians believed that the state is just as necessary for the salvation of the Church.

False Pretenses - about the Western sins

Starting this blog, I decided that it will be one hundred percent objective, will not be subject to any influence or momentary emotions. Therefore quite clear to me is, what the next post should be about. Russian propaganda is a part of internal governance, creation of foreign policy, but also an answer to complete hypocrisy, lies and contempt for other propaganda of the West, especially the United States.
I don't buy the black-and-white picture, which is trying to sell the US administration, on which the evil Russians want to destroy the world, and brave American heroes,who defense it.
Is the contemporary hero  a drone operator sitting behind a desk in San Diego, who with the effectiveness of 1 to 10 hit the terrorist, and then goes home for a dinner. 
What is the credibility of the Obama administration, as critic of Russia's actions in Syria after US forces shelled a hospital in Afghanistan, killing dozens of people and making it even more appalling - do not recognize this as a crime. 
Did US intelligence, leading American politicians have any right to judge the foreign policy of other countries after famous fake accusations of Iraq about weapons of mass destruction and ties to terrorist Al-Qaeda, which ended in attack on Iraq. 
What right to teach others about human rights issues have finally Americans, after the disclosure of investigation methods in Guantanamo?
These are just a few of many examples of how Western leaders often portrayed as defenders of peace and democracy, use methods complying with international law and, above all, true and simple decency. So lets look more deeply at this examples. 
1. Drones. In April 2016 at the meeting at University of Chicago Barack Obama was asked: "How are these killings morally and legally justified, and what kind of message does this drone program sends about American values to the world, the American people, and to law students like myself who refuse to put trust in an opaque process " It should be emphasize that this is a question not only to the President of the United States, but also the  Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. Barak Obama did not answer this question directly, but facts speak instead of words.
Numerous reports during the Obama Administration describe a pattern in which a missile fired from a U.S. drone hits an area, bystanders rush to the scene to help the wounded, and the drone, still overhead, kills the rescuers. On other occasions, drones have struck at funerals of drone-strike victims.  Credible reports of civilian casualties are common Intercept reported. “Between January 2012 and February 2013 U.S. special operations airstrikes killed more than 200 people. Of those, only 35 were the intended targets. During one five-month period of the operation, according to the documents, nearly 90 percent of the people killed in airstrikes were not the intended targets.” That’s one campaign of many in just one country where drone killings happen." 
The Guardian in 2014 writes:"A new analysis of the data available to the public about drone strikes, conducted by the human-rights group Reprieve, indicates that even when operators target specific individuals – the most focused effort of what Barack Obama calls “targeted killing” – they kill vastly more people than their targets, often needing to strike multiple times. Attempts to kill 41 men resulted in the deaths of an estimated 1,147 people. 
In May 2016 David Kilculen  and Andrew  Axum wrote in NYT  that drone strike in Pakistan "have killed about 14 terrorist leaders. But, according to Pakistani sources, they have also killed some 700 civilians. This is 50 civilians for every militant killed, a hit rate of 2 percent."

2. The raids on civilian targets. The armed forces of the United States October 3, 2015 year in the night for over an hour strafed from the air heavy weapons hospital in the city of Kunduz in Afghanistan, breaking humanitarian standards. During the attack, the Americans had killed at least 42 people - doctors, other staff, patients and their families, adults and children - and wounded 37 people. Hospital building was clearly marked. US forces knew his address and GPS coordinates. During the attack the representatives of Doctors Without Borders has repeatedly informed the American command about ongoing massacre.

In April 2016 years the Pentagon decided that raid on the hospital in Kunduz was not a war crime, but a human error combined with technical problems. Pentagon imposed on 16 officers and soldiers of disciplinary punishment mandatory training, written reprimands, removal from command and the like, while the processes before the UN International Criminal Tribunal in The Hague could result in life imprisonment, and before the American martial  court - the death penalty.
3.False Pretenses -  President Bush and seven top officials of his administration waged a carefully orchestrated campaign of misinformation about Saddam Hussein's and Iraq.
Before the invasion of Iraq, President George W. Bush and seven members of his cabinet 935 times spoke false statements about the threat posed by Saddam Hussein's regime - according to a published report by the Center for Public Integrity. 

Center for Public Integrity analyzed the 935 comments of the eight most important people in the country, including the Bush administration, the adviser to the National Security Condoleezza Rice, Vice President Dick Cheney and Secretary of State Colin Powell. A study entitled "False Pretenses"  can be found at www.publicintegrity.org/WarCard/. Almost five years after the US invasion of Iraq exhaustive research archives showed that the statements were part of an organized campaign, which provoked public opinion and ultimately led the country to war induced by false pretexts.


4.Guantanamo prison - because of their nature, and in particular on the continued detention of prisoners without trial and the use of torture during interrogations, there are opinions, mainly community of human rights defenders, that in fact Guantanamo prison meets the definition of a concentration camp.
In 2005 Vice-President Dick Cheney dismissed accusations That the camp was, in the words of one Red Cross report, a place of "Humiliating acts." He said of the prisoners, "They're living in the tropics. They're well fed. They've got everything they could possibly want. There is not any other nation in the world That would treat people who were determined to kill Americans the way we're treating these people. "
Among the methods of torture and humiliation of detainees there were beatings, long-term holding in isolation, sensory deprivation, sleep deprivation or light, prolonged interrogation, baiting dogs, forced prolonged stay in uncomfortable positions, to interfere in prayer and insulting religious objects, like the Koran. The use of torture has also confirmed the FBI report
During his first campaign, Barack Obama has announced the closure of the prison, but for 8 years to exercise their function of President of the United States has not done so.

One might say now, all of the above is true, but it is not the United States who occupy the Crimea and eastern Ukraine. However, the attitude to the world of the two superpowers isn't  similar?  In the US, public opinion was deeply concerned about the arrest Nadia Savchenko, Russia speaks about tortures in Guantanamo. Russia took Crimea arguing that needs to defend Crimea people, same did Bush about Iraq - he was saving Iraqi people and the Western world from the dictator. The main difference is the actual economic and military potential.