Seattle is the capital of Washington? According to Russians... Yes!

Let me state this first: I have never been to Russia.

But I know many people how have. I'm in the Russian, East European, Central Asian program at the University of Washington, so I've read a lot of literature and discussed lots of issues about Russia with people who know a lot more about it than I do. Russia is a magnificent country and I want to visit it someday. However, some whom have studied or lived there have complained that many Russians still have this old, defensive, Cold War mentality. This is likely a result of a government that controls almost all media. I've always given Russia the benefit of the doubt, that my friends might have been exaggerating or couldn't see past their own biases. Now I'm not so sure.

This interview of a Russian political scientist exemplifies the propaganda that continues to pervade Russia. The article (and video if you want to watch) comes from Russia Today (RT), the Moscow-based news channel that was launched in 2005. It broadcasts in English and is intended to give a Russian point of view of the news to those English-speakers in Russia and abroad.

The story of this political scientist theorizes that a civil war will erupt in the US in the near future. The results will be a weaker America and that Russia is better off befriending China. I was ready to listen to this "scientist's" view until I reached this part why America's diversity will be its undoing:

"There are six parts altogether. The first one is the Pacific Ocean coast of the USA. I can give you an example: 53% of San Francisco’s population is Chinese. The Governor of Washington state was an ethnic Chinese; its capital, Seattle, is called the gate of the Chinese emigration to the USA. It is obvious that the Pacific Ocean coast has been gradually influenced by China. The second part in the south is definitely the Mexicans. In some areas, Spanish has become the official language already. Then comes Texas which has been openly fighting for independence. The Atlantic coast has a totally different ethnos and mentality. It could be split into two parts as well. And we are left with two central depressive areas. May I remind you that five central states where the Indians live had announced their independence. It was perceived as a joke or a kind of a political show. But the fact remains the same. Canada is making a strong influence in the North. By the way, Russia may require returning Alaska, as it had been rented out… "

The number of inaccuracies in that paragraph is staggering . The statement that San Fransisco is 53 percent Chinese (not true... not even close), that Washington's governor was Chinese (true, but he was born in Seattle and is third-generation Chinese), and that Seattle is the capital of the state (better double check that Wikipedia page) was worrisome. And this man is supposedly "Dean of the foreign affairs department at the Diplomacy Academy of the Russian Foreign Ministry".

What does this have to do with Bulgaria? Russia is fighting for influence here. Gazprom, the Russian oil company, is building a huge pipeline through Bulgaria. Last week, the pricey gas pipeline, South Stream, that will go under the Black Sea and through Bulgaria and then onto Western Europe, was confirmed that it still will be finished in a few years despite the financial crisis. Bulgaria is having to play both sides right now -- please the EU and NATO while answering to Russia as well.

Nothing against Russians, but this story kind of scared me a bit. With President Medvedev rekindling relations in Cuba and threatening to put nuclear missiles in Kaliningrad as a response to the US missile defense system in Czech Republic and Poland, this all looks too familiar. The world doesn't need another cold war.