Brigadier Gen. John Douglass, USAF (Ret.)

guest columnist

To Vladimir Putin, a weaker United States is better for Russian interests, Douglass says.

Trump's statements that America is an ugly, broken nation fit the traditional KGB view, he says.

I have come into contact with Russian diplomats and negotiators three times in my life. First, when I was on the National Security Council staff at the White House, second, when I was assigned to NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, and third, when I was a member of the Senate Armed Services committee staff.

I always found the Russians well prepared to discuss American issues and with a consistent view of the United States.

They view us as impulsive, undependable, egocentric, and dangerous. The freedoms we allow our people seem to them indicative of weakness and instability. Even in informal discussions they bring up race relations, fiscal cycles, homelessness, poverty, and other issues as evidence that our freedoms make us weak and impulsive.

On the other hand, they know full well how powerful we are and know that Americans come together in times when we are threatened.

Mr. Putin has been immersed in these views his entire life. To Mr. Putin, a weaker America is better for Russian interests. Every day the Russian security service places a folder on his desk documenting the things Mr. Trump says that make America seem weak. By now, that folder is pretty thick.

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To the Russians, Trump’s comments about Latinos, women, black communities, and Muslims describe the America they have always said we were. Trump’s comments about our military being weak, our generals being reduced to rubble, and our elections being rigged all fit the traditional KGB view of America.

An America driven by division and hate is no threat to a newly aggressive Russia.

The Russians and Mr. Putin also know Hillary. They have a thick file on her as well. They have seen her in action as First Lady, as a Senator, and as Secretary of State. Mr. Putin knows she is a tough, intelligent leader with a proven track record of solving the issues that the Russians see as American weaknesses.

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Mr. Putin is no dummy. If his attempts to help Trump win are successful, he knows America will be weaker. If his attempts fail, I believe he thinks his meddling will support the inevitable Trump claim that the election was rigged.

When our election is over I would be surprised if anyone found a direct link between Trump and Putin. Most likely, they just agree that America is the ugly, broken nation that Trump describes in his rallies.

Douglass is a retired Brigadier General in the United States Air Force and former Assistant Secretary of the Navy. He lives in Miami.