On the other hand, he has authorized fewer cruise missile attacks than other world leaders we could name…
The Russian prime minister, Vladimir Putin, is used to receiving accolades in friendly nations, but even he may raise an eyebrow at the prize he has just been awarded in China: peacemaker of the year.
After two wars in Chechnya, one conflict in South Ossetia and two of the deadliest hostage relief operations in modern history, the former KGB officer was named on Monday as the winner of the second Confucian peace prize.
Well, sure, but those petty conflicts were all so long ago. He’s really sorry about them, I’m sure. And, hell, considering that President Obama got a real live Nobel Peace Prize – which is better, I’m pretty sure – after only a few months in office, it’s about time Putin won something like this.
Still, seems like an odd choice. Unless…
The 16-judge panel said that Putin deserved the award because his criticism of Nato’s military engagement in Libya was “outstanding in keeping world peace”, regardless of the fact that it had no bearing on the outcome of the north African conflict.
Ah. He criticized the United States. It all makes sense now.
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