Europe's New "Axis Of Evil"

As with the 2016 U.S. elections, Russian thug and kleptocrat Vladimir "Vlad the Invader" Putin is intent on tipping elections in western Europe to candidates of his choosing. A big prize for him would be installing a friendly pol as the next President of France when France goes to the polls in a matter of weeks. The friendly pol that he'd clearly like to see elected is far-right xenophobe Marine Le Pen, head of the far right National Front party, who met with Putin in Moscow yesterday and came out in favor of lifting the economic sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Crimea and eastern Ukraine. Le Pen is also on record for anti-Muslim xenophobia and for withdrawing France from the European Union. Her party has also been the recipient of funds from Russia, and is undoubtedly seeking a new infusion on her trip to Moscow.

In 2017's election season, the far-right nationalist movements in Europe, particularly those in France and Germany, will test the commitment of those countries to liberal democracy, and their independence from an increasingly confident and belligerent Russia that seeks to undermine them and install itself as the great power on the continent, free to do what it wishes.