Rehabilitating Stalin

One of the Putin Regime's main thrusts has been to buff up the old rusting statues of the iron leaders of Russia. In particular, Stalin. History books have been re-written to expunge his brutal tactics during WWII, his treatment of Germans, Poles, and Jews, and his killing of millions of Russians and Eastern Europeans through forced labor camps, food shortages, etc etc. He was most likely the second most villainous leader of the 20th century, which is a highly contested title. Instead, the latest textbook refers to him as an "effective manager" who won WWII.

Putin wants Russia to remember him as a leader. He wants Russians to remember how Russia was a feared and respected world power under Stalin.

And so, when a liberal newspaper ran an article on declassified death warrants which bore Stalin's signature, his grandson (with the backing of the Kremlin Russia watchers believe) has now sued the newspaper for defamation. The ridiculousness of it is almost beyond belief. Defamation? He sent millions to die.

However, for Putin it accomplishes two objectives - it lets him take on yet another opposition paper (there are not many left, and no liberal TV stations), and at the same time improve the image Stalin, reminding Russia that it "does best" under an iron ruler.

The best part, and a little ironic foil which makes me laugh?

Stalin was not a Russian. He was a Georgian.