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Russia Launches Surprise Large-Scale, 36 Warship Military Exercise In The Black Sea
Many were wondering what Russia's response to Germany's deposit confiscation drill in Cyprus would be. The confusion was moderated somewhat after it was uncovered that the very Russians who were supposed to be punished, have been able to withdraw some or most of their Cyprus-based cash either before the Cyprus D(eposit Confiscation)-Day or during the capital controlled blackout using various disclosed loopholes. Yet that doesn't mean that Putin would avoid this opportunity to give the "developed world" and his closest neighbors a quick lesson in realpolitik. After all, who better than a former KGB agent understands that one should never let a crisis go to waste. Sure enough, today at 4 am, in a very surprising move, Puitin ordered the launch of large-scale Russian military exercises in the Black Sea region in a move which according to Reuters "may create tensions with Russia's post-Soviet neighbors Ukraine and Georgia." Of course, it may create tensions with our island nations reachable by the Russian naval fleet, such as Cyprus, which would naturally mean tensions with the same European (read German) forces who structured the entire Cypriot bail in.
From Reuters:
Putin issued the order to start the previously unannounced maneuvers at 4 a.m. Moscow time (12.00 a.m. EDT) as he flew back from an international summit in South Africa, his spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told reporters by telephone.
"These are large-scale unannounced test exercises," Peskov said, adding that 36 warships and an unspecified number of warplanes would take part. "The main goal is to check the readiness and cohesion of the various units."
He did not say how long the exercises would last.
Putin has stressed the importance of a strong and agile military since he returned to the presidency last May after four years as prime minister. In 13 years in power, he has often cited external threats when talking of the need for unity in Russia.
Russia's Black Sea fleet, whose main base is in the Ukrainian port of Sevastopol, was instrumental in a war with Georgia in 2008 over the Russian-backed breakaway Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
Disputes with Kiev over Moscow's continued lease of the Black Sea navy base have been a thorn in relations with its former Soviet neighbor.
Peskov said that Russia is under no obligation to warn neighbors ahead of time of plans to hold the air and sea military exercises as long as fewer than 7,000 servicemen participated in the maneuvers.
And while the proposed explanation may be valid, something tells us that in this specific case it was not the Ukraine or Georgia that were being contemplated, but the island nations in the Mediterranean, or rather nation, especially the one located in close proximity to Syria.
Keep a close eye on if and when news hits that some 36 Russian warships quietly passed through the Bosphorus in direction Nicosia. Perhaps if Cyprus was so quick to hand over its Russian economic interest, all that would be needed to make it flip on its dedication to the Eurozone would be a brief but insistent naval semi-blockade. After all, few things are quite as persuasive as 36 warships sitting idly by doing not much of anything.
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In a one-on-one head-to-head match up I would usually pick an FSB station chief or even a Thai infantry general over their US counterpart. The complication arises when one starts assembling actual units and all the national and organizational baggage becomes a reality that must be overcome in order to operate effectively. Outside of the conference room (or armchair) I would actually pick the American side in an physical unit engagement of either scenario above. I luv raggin on the US Military machine, especially since it claims to be the one and only (invincible) world superpower, yet it can't win a public engagement any longer than a single battle, but for all its faults it is able to get its shit together under the right conditions.
With regards to the Germans- I would be concerned because while they can make a good washing machine/luxury car/etc. that will perform quite well when used as designed, if you don't read the instructional manual and flip the switches in the right order and use the thing as the designer intended you to, the precision machinery becomes a piece of crap. On a personal level, they are bright and educated, but I think they must severely beat the little ones who color outside the lines in pre-school, because they are not good at unconventional and counter-traditional improv solutions... If their tank commanders are given the latitude to think for themselves and are successful, more power to them. However, I would be personally concerned if my life depended on a German operating a piece of German engineering and thinking about something other than what the instruction manual (or his training) told him to do in such a situation.
I don't believe that the 185,000 soldiers of the German Army are going to have a great deal to say to the 1,040,000 soldiers of the Russian Army should it come to it. The Germans have 10 attack helicopters. They have been living under the umbrella of our armed forces and are incapable of confronting a military superpower like Russia.
Was NOT referring to submarines. Since they do not float, per se.
Now you're thinking those rusting russkie nuke subs rotting in the artic circle could be an adventure tourism oppotunity. The squid should bundle these up and get on the phone ... where can I get me some!
The search for yield continues......Bullish!
I'll love to see the chinese drone swarm manuvers when the USA is late to pay on treasury bonds
Russia has 36 ships?
2nd largest blue water navy in the world by tonnage.
when shit is about to get real you don't want your boats docked.
the Ein, Zwei, Drei of Putin policy :
1° Tax germans cars to make Mutti cringe for Cyprus pinch
2° Wave the ruski flag in black sea to make the west cringe
3° Propose a Bric cartel on PMs including Platinum to make the monetary equation become more grand canyon size between real riches (fossil fuel / Pms/ Rare earths) and fiat Ben's helicopter delusion. Your money USA is NOW your problem; bitchezzz...
All kabuki, the Russians don't even have fuel or ammo
Smitty Please give some sort of link supporting Russia does not have fuel or ammo. Russia is a massive exporter of oil and natural gas. I have never heard of Russia being short of ammo, or nuclear missiles for that matter. I think you misspoke.
Does anyone here think Turkey would allow the Russian Black Sea Fleet just float past Istanbul and enter the Mediterranean?! I'm not that up with international naval relationships in the Black Sea. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it doesn't sound like plausible.
That would depend on what Putin tells Erdogan will happen if he doesn't.
See below. Russia hasn't dicked with the Montreaux Convention since it's implementation in 1936. Unlikely they'll start now when they could just shift Atlantic ships into the Med as they've done with Syria.
Thanks Vald... on the ball as always.
Does anyone here think Turkey would allow the Russian Black Sea Fleet just float past Istanbul and enter the Mediterranean?! I'm not that up with international naval relationships in the Black Sea. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it doesn't sound like plausible.
Russia will of course move its fleet through the Bosporus's. Turkey must permit free access to the Med... anything less would be a blockade of the Black Sea and an act of war.
The Russians have agreed to blockade themselvessince '36.
Hey thanks for the info AurorusBorealus. Learn somethng new every day. I had no idea. (no sarc)
Bullish, at least for my town, which manufactures some of the missiles used by those warships.
I have been pointing out since I joined ZH (and before to friends while monitoring ZH) that this Euro crisis is more than a currency union. If Germany should fail to hold Europe to together, Russia would exploit the opportunity to assume European hegemony.
Germany has known this all along, and that is why Germany has not and will not abandon the EU... the world is more than economics and financial theories... it is a game of power.. and power comes in other forms (such as commodities and military might).
Now... the action moves to China... should Russia achieve European hegemony the worst fears of China are realized. With nothing or no one to hold Russian economic and political expansion in check to the West... Russia is free to begin pursuing interests in the East and elsewhere
Watch for chinks to begin to appear in Russian and Chinese relations...
You might find this article interesting though it suggests an opposite view of Russian / Chinese relations - namely that they are strengthening:
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/World/WOR-01-260313.html
All very sensible until the last sentence when unconcious racism is exposed "chinks begin to appear", how nekulturny!
Strategery ain't for bitchez whose feeling get easiliy hurt, that just winds up costing good people their lives.
Nigger, cunt, pick your shibboleth... if one isn't strong enough to wield a mere word, or one cowers before the mere words of another, then they certainly shouldn't be trusted with any authority beyond a cotton-field or kitchen.
Double-entendre is a legitimate literary device, especially in an age where man is rapidly devolving to the point that basic thought construction often proves a public challenge, and proper sentence construction is not to be demanded of anyone lacking an post-graduate language degree.Let's fly a B2 bomber over Russia, THAT'll scare the piss out of them
Ermmm not enough of them to go around and they are needed for, let's see, The Norks, the Iraneenans, the CHINEEZE and the?.... only 21 to go around.
One sortee... how much service time? Nice kit but very sensitive, just sayin'
Just don't send it over Serbia or they'll shoot it down like they did the F117.
Putin is going to send in Russian paratroopers to seize the containers of Euros !
I would surrender to the VDV immediately and let them do what they what with me!
This is funny.... must be from the legendary VDV Ukrainian Hot Strike(Suck?) Unit!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I78LxV8WnlA
Crater the Nicosia runway, now ! Stand by for further orders ! Over and out ! If you just park vehicles .... the paratroopers could commandeer them off the tarmac .... cratering !
I once had a girl friend .... we called her "crater face" .... great body .... loved to boogie and great dancer .... I think she was a vulcanologist .... it worked out .... because I was a Vulvanologist ! Oh yeah, as a teenager .... she suffered an extreme acne infection !
LMFHO.. you are on fire today Monedas!
They say it's Russian Mafia money .... who's da big cheese .... it's his personal stash .... and he's pissed .... and taking your own money back .... is kind of justifiable ?
Yep, but they say the big money got out.... kinda like that classic Rush tune!
The Big Money - Rush
This part rung true to me...
Sometimes pushing people around
Sometimes pulling out the rug
Sometimes pushing all the buttons
Sometimes pulling out the plug
It's the power and the glory
It's a war in paradise
It's a cinderella story
On a tumble of the dice
Big money goes around the world
Big money take a cruise
Big money leave a mighty wake
Big money leave a bruise
Big money make a million dreams
Big money spin big deals
Big money make a mighty head
Big money spin big wheels
He could "Helicopter Ben" the Euros to the Cypriots .... that would be good PR ? Here's a tune: Hey Von Mises .... the papyrus .... in da Cyprus .... stays mainly .... in a crisis !
LOL, I can just picture Dragi getting a visit from the 'Boris the blade' flashing his FSB card and looking nervously at the offer of a 'cup of tea' complements of the Kremlin. Mario ponders 'Polonium 210' has the none smiling, never blinking Russian just looks at him after explaining the conundrum HE is facing. Then Dragi's PA says Mr Putin's office has called to see if he had made a decision yet? In 5 mins the funds are wired.... followed by a few more trucks of Gold has an act of good faith.
Consequences...
Interesting story. But the Russian's can't send their Black Sea Fleet into the Med. Tyler, FYI, the Montreaux Convention is still in effect and it would be more pracitcal to move ships from other fleets into the Med than Black Sea units. Still, I hope the EU doesn't think Putin is rattling an empty sabre.
The Montreaux Convention only applies to nations who are not Black Sea powers. Russia has every right to send whatever it wants through that straight, as long as it doesn't get stuck. I still don't think this anything to loose sleep over. For now.
Here's the wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montreux_Convention
The convention sets Turkey as the final arbitor of what may and may not pass. During the Cold War the provisions were routinely used to bottle up Russian warships for "inspections," "traffic concerns," etcetc. Additionally, the provisions state that Russia must declare what is going through in excess of certain limits, which would negate the surprise factor.
Furthermore, the Black Sea Fleet, because of these Montreaux Convention provisions was never constructed as a power projection force and would be of limited utility in anything other than sea denial in the Black Sea itself. The Russians know this, the Turks know this, the EU knows this...now ZH knows this.
Pardon me .... but, I don't think Herr Putin .... is gonna abide by any .... Montreaux Jack Convention .... or Turkey Jack !
The question is does Turkey and NATO have the cojones to stop a Russian "naval exercise" from passing through the straits......
IMHO it doesn't mean shit if you can't or lack the will to enforce it.
Hell, they can't even stand up to North Korea .... but they sure can give ém fuel rods .... hey, they're players, man ! BTW .... is that movie Argot .... more MSM attempt .... to resurrect little Jimmy Carter .... habitat for hobits with drug habits .... and now Gordon McFuck Brown .... is trying to distance himself from himself ?
Exactly. With Europe busy fighting with itself, is Putin feeling brave enough to push his ships into the Mediterranean? THINKING OUTLOUD: But what does Putin gain with an act of aggression towards a Europe ripping it self apart? Wouldn't an agressive Russian response trigger solidarity in Europe?
Article says watch out if Russian ships head for Nicosia .... nice trick Captain .... since Nicosia is not a port ! Paratroopers and cargo planes .... two planes for each container ? Black Sea commotion is diversion .... action will be based out of Tartar Sauce, Syria ! Where's MDB .... we need a second opinion !
Wake me when they wander through the straits. Otherwise it's no different than the US conducting exercises in the Caribbean.
Come on Russia, freeze all German assets in Russia and tell Merkel she has to come to Russia and lick Putin's boots on national TV for the unfreezing of the money... for the lulz.
Vlad the impaler would not lower himself to such a display. Much more subtle to take one of Merkel's closer advisors out for a 'cup of tea'. Once the Head of the BND explains to her, in a confidential private briefing, what they suspect has happened and who was behind it. She would refect on the consequences of further unsettling the Russkies and that all things can and will be resolved when faced with an understandable political, global financial and finally in a geopolitical conundrum.
Germany on itself would loose anything even only remotely looking like a conventional war in Europe on the home front in less than one day and on the military front in less than 24 hours. They could not keep 100km of the Rhine with their personell at the moment, if they would try to, say, invade Switzerland or the Netherlands they would not be able to due to lack of manpower.
Don't look at Putin's finger, look where it points.
This is just a show for the Russion internal politics. They'll play with their boats in the pond for a while and go home.
Waters are getting warmer elsewhere; especially after the success of Cypress experiment shit.
>their stupid army is no better now than when their ass got kicked out of afganistan.
Which probably places them in a better position than the rest of Europe which has essentially been relying on the Pentagon to defend them since the end of World War II. What a crazy mixed up world we live in where the Russians put on a show of strength in support of private property rights while Western Europe engages in government sanctioned asset theft. As an American, I think if we back Europe on this, we're backing the wrong side. This might be an excellent time to bring our forces home.
Speaking of 250mph underwater missiles, it would be nice if our side had something that could match of deflect these... but we don't.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shkval
Astro (ruh-roh), gonna need a new flat top.
The highly respectable Bloomberg just mentioned that the most advanced Littoral Combat Ships are built within the continent (of USA)... and to think that the gargantuan military-industrial complex is the USA's few core business left and is indeed very lucrative, one must hold the following Bloomberg's news as can't goes wrong.
"The two versions of the Littoral Combat Ship -- derided by critics inside the Navy as the “Little Crappy Ship”-- are being built simultaneously.
A steel-hulled vessel is being made in Marinette, Wisconsin, by a team led by Lockheed Martin Corp. (LMT) (LMT), and an aluminum trimaran is being built in Mobile, Alabama, by a group led by Austal Ltd. (ASB) Lockheed’s first ship developed a crack in the hull, and Austal’s vessel had corrosion problems."
For one to really grasp the sacrosanct importance of such military-industrial complex (MIC) business with regard to those real elite rulers of the USA and their dependents, following article by Andrew Gavin Marshall should wide open one's eyes.
"The American imperial system incorporates much more than supporting the occasional coup or undertaking the occasional war. Coups, wars, assassinations and other forms of overt and covert violence and destabilization, while relatively common and consistent for the United States – compared to other major powers – are secondary to the general maintenance of a system of imperial patronage. A “stable” system is what is desired most by strategic planners and policy-makers, but this has a technical definition. Stability means that the populations of subject nations and regions are under “control” – whether crushed by force or made passive by consent, while Western corporate and financial interests have and maintain unhindered access to the “markets” and resources of those nations and regions. Since the 19th century development of America’s overseas empire, this has been referred to as the “Open Door” policy: as in, the door opens for American and other Western economic interests to have access to and undertake exploitation of resources and labour.
As the only global imperial power, and by far the world’s largest military power, America does not merely rely upon the “goodwill” of smaller nations or the threat of force against them in order to maintain its dominance, it has established, over time, a large and complex network of imperial patronage: supplying economic aid, military aid (to allow its favoured regimes to control their own populations or engage in proxy-warfare), military and police training, among many other programs. These programs are largely coordinated by and between the Defense Department, State Department, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)."
. . .
test
We haven't seen one friggin' bankster do a perp walk, WTF makes anyone think any of the elite will see a courtroom? These are the times that try a mans soul. Loack and load and, make every shot count...they're stealing the ammo too!