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UK Scrambles Fighter Jets To Intercept Two Russian Strategic "Bear" Bombers

Tyler Durden's picture




 

While Scotland was busy concluding the count of its votes against independence, Royal Air Force fighter jets based out of the northern Scottish base in Lossiemouth in Moray, were scrambled to identify and intercept two airplanes which subsequently were revealed to be Russian Tu-95 Russian "Bear H" strategic bombers, that were spotted in international airspace although the exact location of the encounter has not been disclosed. As the RAF later clarified in a statement, the aircraft did not enter UK airspace. 

The statement said the launch was the first time a Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) had been issued from RAF Lossiemouth since the Moray base took on the role of defending the UK's northern airspace.

As Sky reports, RAF Lossiemouth's Station Commander, Group Captain Mark Chappell, said: "This first successful launch for QRA North has been what all of the hard work by RAF Leuchars and RAF Lossiemouth personnel over recent months has been for.

"The relocation of two Typhoon squadrons was a significant challenge, one that was met by our whole team.

"The many months of preparation and infrastructure improvements have made us absolutely ready for this launch, and shows we are in the best position to provide the service to the United Kingdom that the Royal Air Force was primarily created for - that is, the protection of our airspace."

And while the RAF apparently was merely responding to what was yet another training exercise by Russia - as a reminder in June two Typhoon jets were scrambled into action to head off four separate groups of Russian aircraft that were flying near the Baltic, which the Ministry of Defence said appeared to be carrying out  a 'routine training' exercise in international airspace and were later escorted out of the area - it did take the opportunity to release a photo album of the interception in progress.

A British Typhoon jet, bottom, is seen intercepted one of two Russian 'Bear' aircraft that were spotted flying in international airspace

Another angle

And yet another.


The interception, which involved two Typhoon jets pictured, was the first time a Quick Reaction Alert had occurred since the Lossiemouth, Scotland, base had taken on the role of defending the UK's Northern airspace.

 

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Fri, 09/19/2014 - 09:07 | 5233492 fightthepower
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Too bad they didn't drop their load on th City of London. 

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 09:23 | 5233554 Latina Lover
Latina Lover's picture

"As the RAF later clarified in a statement, the aircraft did not enter UK airspace. "   

In other words, a non event.

I do get why most of the young persons of scotland voted in favor of independence.  It is their asses that will be sent to die by the old farts in control.

 

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 09:27 | 5233579 Freddie
Freddie's picture

It has always been the way.  Lots of young Scotsman dying for z-banksters in London. The British Min of Defense recruits heavily in Scotland for infantry troops.

My guess is the Russians were just mocking them.  You could have had independence and you blew it. Serfs.

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 09:44 | 5233604 COSMOS
COSMOS's picture

Scrambling to intercept in internationa AIRSPACE, that lets you know the aggressive nature that underlies NATO, they now regard it as their own airspace.  No surprise since they now regard Syria's airspace as their own also.  Take note China, your sea and airspace are theirs now.

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 10:01 | 5233725 nofluer
nofluer's picture

This indicates that what was old, is now new. This was standard practice back in the "Cold War" days. I was on a US Aircraft Carrier cruising in the Med when the ship was overflown by a Russian Bear. The Captain announced that it was about to overfly us, and invited available members of the crew to come topside and see it and to give them a traditional US Navy Salute. We scrambled to the flightdeck, and as the Bear flew by we dropped our drawers and mooned them. (Military ships of opposing Navies do this kind of thing frequently.) Great fun!!! ;-D

Perhaps it should also be noted that to ensure good behavior, the Bear was shadowed by two US F4 Phantoms loaded with air-to-air missiles.

In other words, this was NBFD, or in militaryspeak, SOP.

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 10:13 | 5233781 COSMOS
COSMOS's picture

Reminds me to drop my aviation fuel when I overfly the deck of the next ship and toss out my cigarette.  Those navy boys could sure use a singe brazilian to make them pretty when one of them drops the soap in the ship's showers LOL

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 10:37 | 5233941 nofluer
nofluer's picture

Gosh... I'm sitting here trying and trying but I can't seem to think of an insult that would be deep enough and appropriate for such a comment...

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 12:21 | 5234523 COSMOS
COSMOS's picture

Why dont you moon me biatch, my cigarette is almost out.

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 12:29 | 5234553 tonyw
tonyw's picture

something about needing a bleach?? :-)

 

or "is that deep enough for you"

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 10:55 | 5234043 ebader
ebader's picture

Ahah those navy bitc..., quasi-isolated from feminine presence, still need comfort and passionate love...

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 11:26 | 5234239 cro_maat
cro_maat's picture

I was on an LPH (Helicopter Carrier) and we would chase Bear bombers out of Norway airspace on a regular basis in the mid-eighties. My submariner friends told tales of soviet sub hunting with sonar pinging as though it was a video game. We sat off Vladivostok and they sat off Groton. Cat and mouse, same as it ever was.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXXGep9RB34 - The Russians are coming! The Russians are coming!

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 12:23 | 5234529 COSMOS
COSMOS's picture

More like NATO is coming NATO is coming LOL.  And the rest of the world knows who is having an orgasm bombing women and children.

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 09:47 | 5233657 LibertyBear
LibertyBear's picture

If there were only two jets, who took a picture of the two jets?

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 09:53 | 5233688 sleigher
sleigher's picture

Photoshop... there were no planes.  

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 10:13 | 5233786 COSMOS
COSMOS's picture

They can't afford the jet fuel.  They sent one of those helium balloon thingy dingies.

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 12:30 | 5234563 tonyw
tonyw's picture

it's a stock photo of two typhoons, nothing to do with today's non-incident.

 

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 09:58 | 5233707 McCormick No. 9
McCormick No. 9's picture

"The interception, which involved two Typhoon jets pictured, was the first time a Quick Reaction Alert had occurred since the Lossiemouth, Scotland, base had taken on the role of defending the UK's Northern airspace."

The timing in conjunction with the Scottish NO vote, seems suspicious. Then I noticed that it says "BBC" on the tail of the "Russian" bomber!!!

So my question is: If everything is now hoaxed, that is to say, we live in a hologram created by our masters; if something DID happen spontaneously, would that spontaneous event be real?

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 10:26 | 5233863 p00k1e
p00k1e's picture

Exactly.

Say the market does crash to 150.  After the heart attack and Depends crowd is cleaned up, Obama will order a System Restore to a perceived inflection point. 

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 11:58 | 5234404 froze25
froze25's picture

Usually when an "event" happens and all the media has basically the same canned response before any investigation has occurred ("MH-17" comes to mind) it is a staged event.  When they have diffrent reactions or are stalling in making a comment its real.

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 13:49 | 5234979 TheFourthStooge-ing
TheFourthStooge-ing's picture

.

The timing in conjunction with the Scottish NO vote, seems suspicious. Then I noticed that it says "BBC" on the tail of the "Russian" bomber!!!

The Russians are probably having a pretty good laugh about that.

"Ey, tovarisch, having good idea of joke. We fly bomber training close by Scotland on day they make democracy. Anglopedik interceptors scramble and pictures take. Westerners think bomber tail marking corresponds to anglopedik broadcast propaganda factory. We do good laughing on resulting conspiracy paranoia."

 

Helpful hint: what appears to be BBC is Cyrillic for VVS, so the tail markings are VVS Rossii, or Voyenno-vozdushnye sily Rossii, which translates to Russian Air Force. And yes, that's pretty funny.

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 10:04 | 5233738 nofluer
nofluer's picture

Stock photos.

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 10:31 | 5233890 Dr Strangemember
Dr Strangemember's picture

Drones my man, drones.

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 09:26 | 5233576 MeMongo
MeMongo's picture

"London"?

Better yet! Tel Aviv

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 10:32 | 5233899 Dr Strangemember
Dr Strangemember's picture

... EVEN BETTER YET, the entire Middle East!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 16:53 | 5235796 Jambo Mambo Bill
Jambo Mambo Bill's picture

Actually, they were heading to Scotland, thats it why they need the tridents around, to protect against mortal enemies like Russia and ISIS

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 09:09 | 5233497 Dr. Engali
Dr. Engali's picture

Meh, I just got my daily chocolate ration and my new  iBamaphone is on the way. Life is good.

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 09:16 | 5233536 Horseless Headsman
Horseless Headsman's picture

Chocolate ration is increased this month. We have always been at war with Eurasia.

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 09:36 | 5233610 COSMOS
COSMOS's picture

Gosh darn it they woke up from their Opium Den Stupor.  Time for some more GUNBOAT Diplomacy to teach those Chinks and Ruskies who their masters are.

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 13:53 | 5235001 TheFourthStooge-ing
TheFourthStooge-ing's picture

.

Time for some more GUNBOAT Diplomacy to teach those Chinks and Ruskies who their masters are.

Quick, get them on the phone. We need to borrow some more money from them for gunboats.

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 09:10 | 5233499 Stoploss
Stoploss's picture

They're just trying to figure out the fastest way to get over here when they have to come help us.

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 09:16 | 5233538 trulz4lulz
trulz4lulz's picture

Wouldnt the fastest way be over the Arctic and acroos Canada? And really whats Canada going to do?

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 09:09 | 5233500 Cognitive Dissonance
Cognitive Dissonance's picture

Hollywood at its best. Are we having fun yet?

 

Having fun yet?

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 09:11 | 5233514 ParkAveFlasher
ParkAveFlasher's picture

USA!  USA!  USA!  I mean UK ... K!  UKK!  UKK!

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 09:37 | 5233615 COSMOS
COSMOS's picture

ISRAEL ISRAEL, ISRAEL...

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 09:39 | 5233619 COSMOS
COSMOS's picture

GOLDMAN SACHS, GOLDMAN SACHS....

now that the order is correct you can finally say USA USA

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 09:16 | 5233522 GetZeeGold
GetZeeGold's picture

 

 

Somewhere over Ukraine....Major Kong rides the bomb.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JlSQAZEp3PA

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 09:14 | 5233527 JRobby
JRobby's picture

We love war! We are a war like people! (Carlin)

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 09:11 | 5233505 orangegeek
orangegeek's picture

If you look closely, you can see the dinosaur shit stains on the Russian bombers.

 

Guess they didn't run them through the wash before take off.

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 09:15 | 5233526 free_as_in_beer
free_as_in_beer's picture

Does a bear shit in the woods?

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 09:58 | 5233705 yogibear
yogibear's picture

That bear shits on the major cities and military installations.

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 09:19 | 5233544 trulz4lulz
trulz4lulz's picture

I believe what we are looking at is a clear case of "function" over "form", if you are aware of design and all that.

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 09:11 | 5233508 snusnufreak
snusnufreak's picture

looks like photoshop to me, look at tail markings on the first pic, this is bullshit....

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 09:20 | 5233550 NoWayJose
NoWayJose's picture

Agree. Tail markings look funny, especially compared to the blurry markings near the front. Also, it is doubtful that fighters would approach that close in international airspace. And finally, if fighters did fly that close they would have zero time to react to any air-to-air defenses the Russians would use.

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 10:54 | 5234045 nofluer
nofluer's picture

Whoever wrote the captions on the pics, and the headline, didn't know squat about military stuff. From the relative positions of the aircraft as shown, this isn't an "intercept" but an "escort". (A "civilized" way of saying "we see you.") In an intercept (such as I mentioned above) the interceptors would be well behind the intruder/potential target. (Missiles must have time to arm after launch or they become fast moving rocks.)

As to fighter aircraft approaching "that close in international airspace", you'd best inform the Chinese Air Force that they are currently behaving doubtfully on an increasingly regular basis. Regardless, a fighter is much more nimble than a big bomber. You can bet the fighters are ready for anything the bomber chooses to do, no matter how stupid and unlikely it might be.

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 12:27 | 5234545 COSMOS
COSMOS's picture

Tough talk big boy, just like those USA bombers are a loooong way from home in the China Sea.  The chinese planes are at least a lot closer to their homeland.  You'd best inform the dual citizen crew that runs your country that the corpse they have been parasitizing all these past few decades is about to kick the bucket.  And you got no second passport to bail when shit hits the fan navy boy.

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 09:20 | 5233553 SpanishGoop
SpanishGoop's picture

Your right, just enlarge them.

 

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 10:07 | 5233751 StupidEarthlings
StupidEarthlings's picture

+1

Now that im looking it seems different sun angles on the dif planes.

 

AND the Russian plane was parked not flying. 

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 09:10 | 5233509 Peter Pan
Peter Pan's picture

Defending the northern airspace?

So why are the rules any different for Syria which has been told that it cannot defend its airspace against US intrusions?

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 10:14 | 5233796 COSMOS
COSMOS's picture

Shush, shhhhh, its an exceptional situation we have here....

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 09:13 | 5233515 NoWayJose
NoWayJose's picture

Dear UK - if you continue to provoke Russia, they will come for real, and you will need a lot more than two fighters...

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 09:12 | 5233517 CaptainObvious
CaptainObvious's picture

Too bad the Scottish voted for independence.  Now those Brit planes have no place to land.  Oh, wait...

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 09:13 | 5233519 The Blank Stare
The Blank Stare's picture

Putin gets a hardon with this kinda shit! Lol

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 09:16 | 5233534 onewayticket2
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"Tell Vlad, that in my second term, i'll have more flexibility"  -barry

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 09:21 | 5233561 The Blank Stare
The Blank Stare's picture

I wonder if when Odumbass puts in his week 3 Fantasy Football Flex play he always writes in Ukraine.

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 09:13 | 5233521 SpanishGoop
SpanishGoop's picture

So the UK has the right to intercept plains flying in international airspace.

Sounds like piracy.

And looking at the pictures, size does matter.

 

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 10:16 | 5233803 COSMOS
COSMOS's picture

Well piracy is no stranger to the crown as the Spanish know very well.

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 09:13 | 5233523 Sudden Debt
Sudden Debt's picture

so what?

International airspace.

They better don't touch those Russian Planes!

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 09:16 | 5233532 JRobby
JRobby's picture

Why not? Don't you want war? Everyone wants war! What's the matter with you? WAR!

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 09:24 | 5233546 Cognitive Dissonance
Cognitive Dissonance's picture

For now at least 'we' play by Empire rules. I can do whatever I want to you. You can do nothing to me unless you wish to feel the wrath of my sword.

The Empire will continue to apply these rules long after 'we' are capable of backing them up. Thus 'we' will die by the sword we live be.

<They shoot horses zombies, don't they?>

This is why in my opinion war is coming to American shores. And I'm not just talking about civil war.

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 09:15 | 5233531 whoopsing
whoopsing's picture

If the russians were the least bit worried those bears would have come with an escort

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 09:16 | 5233533 Maxter
Maxter's picture

What would have happen if Scotland voted yes? Would that bomber has been intercepted?

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 09:40 | 5233624 COSMOS
COSMOS's picture

There would of been no bombers flying except transport planes with congratulatory vodka for the Scots if they had voted YES

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 09:18 | 5233540 fuu
fuu's picture

Bears are tired old planes. Getting the UK to shoot them down is probably a write off for someone and cheaper than a decomish.

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 09:33 | 5233597 Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill's picture

They work just fine , the RF has a new 4th gen bomber coming into service in 2016.

The whole concept of manned bomber is archaic anyways.Rumor has it the latest Russian

radar lights up B2s just fine.Makes them expensive  junk at a cost of $2bn a pop.

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 09:41 | 5233630 COSMOS
COSMOS's picture

I am sure they can launch their nuclear tipped missiles before the Brits ever even get close.

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 10:42 | 5233916 Freddie
Freddie's picture

F-16 and A-10 co-designer Pierre Sprey saying stealth is a hoax and a scam.   He said old WW2 RAF long wave radar could see "stealth."  He said the Russians have much newer versions of it and have had it for a long time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxDSiwqM2nw

Skip to 6:30 to see him discuss the stealth scam.

Sprey also talks about how the F-35 is junk.

 

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 12:29 | 5234558 nofluer
nofluer's picture

F-35 - I understand that the onboard computer runs on Microsoft ... BAD idea!!!

The F-22 is a MUCH better plane - provided you don't mind losing a pilot now and then to unknown causes...

But then the US sold NATO, and allll of our "friends" the F-35. How long do you think it will be until you start seeing F-35s as ornaments in US public parks? You know... like the old WW II tanks and such?

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 09:19 | 5233551 youngman
youngman's picture

Just testing our defenses.......why..now that is a good question....that Putin  is such a joker

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 09:23 | 5233569 StupidEarthlings
StupidEarthlings's picture

The sheeple crowd will eat this propaganda up.

Ya gotta   remember,  we live in a fucked up  time where  people get their news from Facebook. 

They belive anything they see.

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 10:20 | 5233836 Dewey Cheatum Howe
Dewey Cheatum Howe's picture

I'm no fighter pilot but the last picture seems a little too unbelievable. Unless I am misjudging it that ascent angle is impossible for a fighter plane fly at.

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 10:32 | 5233907 Dewey Cheatum Howe
Dewey Cheatum Howe's picture

To add to that they are ascending at an almost 90 degree angle yet the shadowing says the sun is directly to the west of them and not above....

 

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 10:43 | 5233967 N0TME
N0TME's picture

No, that is not impossible. Suggestion: Youtube - Miltary Fighter Jet Flight Capabilities like - SU 27, F-15, F-16, Rafale, etc. 

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 12:36 | 5234585 nofluer
nofluer's picture

The last pic is apparently NOT a pic of the aircraft engaging in the escort mission. It's a stock photo of the aircraft type. 1. Note the horizon - these aircraft are not ascending, they appear to be in a left bank. And 2. the under-wing load does not seem to match the wing load in the other pictures. I'd guess that the last pic has either JDAMs or dummy bombs for target practice? Don't know that much about current aircraft ordinance.

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 09:26 | 5233577 w4mps
w4mps's picture

OMG they're in international air space!  As in...only WE are allowed in international air space.

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 09:57 | 5233699 Freddie
Freddie's picture

Putin should tell the airlines - if you line your polar routes to save fuel - you cannot have them if your country is behind sanctions. 

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 09:29 | 5233586 intric8
intric8's picture

Geez Putin, that is one archaic looking POS. Represent.

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 10:23 | 5233846 Dewey Cheatum Howe
Dewey Cheatum Howe's picture

Who published the pictures? Enough said....

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 09:35 | 5233605 Lordflin
Lordflin's picture

My money is still on the Middle East...

War is coming in any event. It is funny to read economists blog that the world has moved beyond war.... disruptive to the markets after all... at the same time it is the financial sector driving us to it.

And there are even some true believers left thinking there is something worth fighting for.

Allah? Instrument of the financial sector.

Freedom? Point to some part of the world still capable of sustaining a free people. I will admit though, I still get goose bumps thinking about it.

See you after the great reset.

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 13:48 | 5234437 r0mulus
r0mulus's picture

It seems the great game at this point in time for the West is figuring out how to supply Europe with non-Russian energy, or energy that is consistently cheaper than Russian energy.

The West seems to wants to turn ex-Warsaw Pact countries into the new economic berlin wall, and keep the Russians away from wooing European markets and populaces into their fold with cheap energy and strategic resources. The West needs to crack Syria to do it.

Russia wants: former Warsaw Pact states to remain nominally neutral (if not-Pro-Russian- but that is a recognized pipe dream in the current context) and allow their cheap energy to flow into europe to slowly break apart the icy grip of Five-Eyes/NATO on the European continent. An independent Syria strengthens this position by preventing cheaper or even competitively priced energy from reaching Europe.

West wants: to prevent Russian energy from reaching Europe more cheaply than their own suppliers. Wants to crack Syria so that their allies in the Middle East can be that cheaper supplier of energy.

My thought is that Russia will continue to play a really slow game. By coordinating small advances on their respective geostrategic fronts with strange but strategic bedfellow China (in the form of small regional landgrabs like Crimea, Georgia, the South China Sea, the Kuril Islands, India-China border, Tibet, Artic Ocean, etc) they force the West to commit forces at all points around their collective borders, which is extremely resource intensive as they are long range deployments far from their logistical support centers (inefficency). Over time, the West will lose the physics part of this game, most assuredly, like butter spread thin over too much bread.

It will be forced to impoverish it's member states in order to field a large military deployment AND provide the appearance of "butter" to it's own populace (vs guns). Elites are the only ones that will really see any butter, however, as most of the rest of us have seen very clearly since 9/11. Furthermore, they will be at risk domestically as they continue to push propaganda via old models of centralized information heirachies in support of their war efforts abroad. As we have already seen with Syria, MH-17, 9/11, 7/7, and other events, going back even to Aldo Moro and "Gladio", these centralized information control efforts are of limited and probably even counter-productive use in the context of the decentralized, internet based information heirachies of the 21st century. The more they attempt tighten their grip via the old, centralized information control models, the more the truth slips out between their fingers.

As this truth inevitably slips out, they will have to increasingly resort to internal oppression to prevent the formation of hostile internal opposition. As the decentralized information network paradigm is nowhere and everywhere at the same time, centralized information models will only hasten their own declines as the turbulent wake of factual "decoherence" created by their propaganda becomes increasingly apparent to all members of the new, decentralized information paradigm. Sociology tells us that once 10% of the monkeys take up an idea, the rest of the monkeys will follow suit, and thus a tipping point will eventually be reached in which these centralized information/propaganda heirachies are no longer implicitly trusted by their own constituencies, and their actors outed as traitors and replaced. As the Western elites would rather see their nations and peoples impoverished before they themselves are, it's hard to see how this doesn't end up in a completely fascist West, one that is inevitably bound to die from internal inefficiencies, before it is able to resolve itself.

Absent a hot, WWII style war, with which the West is able to capitalize on it's already existing and realized, albeit fading, stength, it is likely that Russia and China win by slowly chipping away at the Western alliance by offering it's fringe members access to cheap energy and strategic materials. Austria seems to be the first likely candidate to head eastward. Germany can't be far behind.

The West would like a hot war where it can rally it's member states and herd their populaces according to centralized control models. If they can muster all their strength and change the fundamental geopolitical balance by reducing Russia and China to be once again weak, isolated, and dependent (pretty ridiculous as they are natural and human resource rich, and connected by land, to boot), they might be able to continue towards their holy goal of "forever expanding markets for democracy" for awhile longer, which is of course necessary to keep fiat systems alive by avoiding potential deflation, which is itself patently ridiculous as the "Earth" is a finite resource, but, alas, I digress.

Russia and China are content to play slow and allow the physics to win, and are indeed confident, I believe, in the eventual victory of such a strategy. I believe most elites in the West believe this too as is evidenced by the "shift towards China" I see preached here everyday in the business school I work in, Gordon Brown being one amongst many that have spoken here on the topic (off the record, of course).

Russia and China might let the West go "all-in" somewhere, but only so that they can use the opportunity to expand elsewhere, and keep the pressure on. They know that the West cannot hold on all fronts at once without creating serious internal problems for itself. The formlessness and adaptability of this strategy would make Sun Tzu and Lao Tzu quite proud, I believe. It is also the reason that the leaders of West seem so incredibly stupid and naive to those of us who know what is really going on.

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 14:12 | 5235088 Lordflin
Lordflin's picture

It's an argument Rom... not one I adhere to...

West is pushing for war for exactly the reasons you propose leading to internal stress. Putin has shown great restraint, but is getting pushed against a wall... to paraphrase Stonewall, the Russians are more sensitive about their flanks than a virgin... China on the other hand... civilian government is reluctant and prone to the slow progression that you suggests... except... 1) there are internal forces brewing there that dictate action... economic concerns are often mentioned... but what of the 16 million young men without lady friends... 2) Chinese military has wanted a go at the west for at least the past thirty years...

War is coming... we past the point of no return at least ten years ago... that leaves us without much time.

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 09:52 | 5233623 q99x2
q99x2's picture

What a crock of crap. Putin is a real man. Real men don't bluff. This is smoke and mirrors and confirms that Putin is in bed with the Goldman Sach.

Joe Biden's son works for Putin. They are both members of the Goldman Sachs Caliphate.

Unitl you see Russia or China take down the leaders of the banking cartel. 7 billion humans of the earth. know that the banksters are preparing to do something very dangerous. Maybe something like preparing Ebola mutated with enterovirus for any populations that rebel. I don't know why African Americans aren't pissed about the Ebola yet

You know things don't go along ok for nearly 100 years and then when the Goldman Sachs and the TBTF are about to run into trouble the governments all just suddenly start to move into depopulation mode.

It's Loyd Blankfein and the Central Banks that need to be brought to justice. Quick.

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 10:07 | 5233748 Swave
Fri, 09/19/2014 - 10:19 | 5233821 COSMOS
COSMOS's picture

Those Schmucks tried to securitize and bundle the Holy Spirit into HSBS ( holy spirit backed securities ) that is why YHWH cast them into hell.

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 11:03 | 5234085 Bankster Kibble
Bankster Kibble's picture

And why Jesus drove the money changers out of the temple.

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 10:40 | 5233944 Dewey Cheatum Howe
Dewey Cheatum Howe's picture

Which means they know a bunch of old people are going to be liquidated hence they are hold short positions on these derivatives as they herd the muppets into a long position aka the old people who these derivatives are betting on living longer. Using vanity and self important narcissim to fleece the same people in the first place. Of course they are going to bet on themselves when the other choice is pushing up daisies.

 

This is one method used to rig elections to guarantee a certain outcome like in Scotland when the demographics are in your favor.....

 

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 09:45 | 5233643 Kina
Kina's picture

The point of these flights is to gauge the oppositions defences and technology.

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 09:54 | 5233693 q99x2
q99x2's picture

That's why they use giant propellor planes. Give me a fucking break.

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 10:19 | 5233817 Uncle Remus
Uncle Remus's picture

I'm certain I can beat you to death with 1950s era bakelite handset more effectively than with an iPhone.

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 11:01 | 5234076 Bankster Kibble
Bankster Kibble's picture

It's so everybody in the Baltics can hear them coming and panic early, while the real threat is flying elsewhere . . .

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 09:44 | 5233644 kdervin
kdervin's picture

Why wait for them to enter intl airspace?  Start the panic when they take off from bases inside Russia.

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 10:21 | 5233831 COSMOS
COSMOS's picture

Never fear, that is why we are corraling the Russian Motherland, we will be doing interceptions right as they take off from air fields deep inside Russia.

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 09:47 | 5233654 THE DORK OF CORK
THE DORK OF CORK's picture

Eurofighters don't have the range to intercept missle platforms such as 1950s era Bears.

Their job should it come to it is to stop these guys.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raduga_Kh-55

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 10:01 | 5233717 yogibear
yogibear's picture

All for show. The UK is going down the crapper.

Soon the UK will be all pointing to Mecca and chanting several times a day.

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 10:03 | 5233728 Greenbean950
Greenbean950's picture

Message to Scotts - you need us (UK RAF) to protect you. Stop with the silly secession nonsense.

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 10:11 | 5233767 roadhazard
roadhazard's picture

"Bear bombers"... what, were they flying to a museum to be put on display?

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 12:30 | 5233844 COSMOS
COSMOS's picture

If you mean the natural museum of post atomic blast London, after a nuclear missile launched from these bombers destroyed London way before these fighters even got close, then you are correct.

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 10:59 | 5234065 Bankster Kibble
Bankster Kibble's picture

If it is routine training, the Kremlin isn't going to put newbie pilots in those brand new White Swans.  Let the kids and nostalgia buffs fly the old Bears.

Sat, 09/20/2014 - 12:13 | 5237889 cbxer55
cbxer55's picture

Those White Swans (TU-160 Blackjacks) are nowhere close to new. They are as  old, or older than our B-1's are. They entered service in 1987. Our B-2's are much newer.They have nothing comparable or as new (That I am aware of).

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 11:12 | 5234133 cbxer55
cbxer55's picture

Bears are no better or worse than our mainstay bomber, the B-52. They are approximately the same age. They still have the 35 or so Tupolev TU-160 Blackjacks, which are a much larger B-1. Believe they still have a bunch of Tupolve TU-22M Backfire bombers as well. 

Irregardless of the Bears age, they can still carry and deliver one hell of a punch if needed. Their odds of getting through to do so are no better or worse than anything we have, including the Stealth bombers. At least the Bears still have functioning cannons in the tail, none of ours do. Not that they are good for much in todays, Long Range standoff missile world.

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 12:25 | 5234535 r0mulus
r0mulus's picture

Good post. I believe Red Storm Rising would be a useful Tom Clancy book if someone wanted to imagine a war between the West and Russia again. The Tu-22's in that book pretty much completely devastated NATO's navies with ease.

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 10:27 | 5233864 N0TME
Fri, 09/19/2014 - 10:38 | 5233946 silverer
silverer's picture

Did they have to borrow more money to fuel those fighters?  Maybe just a phone call to the Kremlin would have sufficed...

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 10:57 | 5234054 basho
basho's picture

wow, i'm really impressed.

they were probably just dropping by to congratulate all the senile old folks that voted to keep the 4 stooges as a govt. camme, kleg, millie and mom

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 10:59 | 5234071 gcjohns1971
gcjohns1971's picture

Bears flying in international airspace is no big deal.

Happens most every day.

Very common for them to enter national airspace to see what happens.  Every week.

It is as common as multigrain bread.

Next topic?

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 11:10 | 5234126 Little Britain
Little Britain's picture

I didn't realize we still had any planes!

We certainly don't have any to land on our shiny new aircraft carrier!!

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 11:59 | 5234410 Otto Zitte
Otto Zitte's picture

In stark contrast to fighters not being scrambled in US airspace 9/11/2001.

4 times.

Sat, 09/20/2014 - 10:53 | 5237626 Dewey Cheatum Howe
Dewey Cheatum Howe's picture

Or flight 93 being shot down after they knew the hijackers failed and the plane was retaken by the passengers.

Here is Rumsfield admitting it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6Xoxaf1Al0

http://www.globalresearch.ca/slip-of-the-tongue-rumsfeld-admits-that-fli...

Of course he claims he misspoke afterwards. What else would expect him to say publicly after that little bit of truthiness slipped out and he told to do damage control. All it proves is there might be something that resembles a human conscience in there somewhere.

http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/12/27/rumsfeld.flt93/

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 12:45 | 5234636 loregnum
loregnum's picture

So now Russia can't even fly their planes in international airspace without some western cunt country scrambling jets. Gotcha...but the U.S (or any other western country) can fly their planes wherever the hell they want meaning on sovereign airspace as that is A-OK.

I am surprised they don't scramble jets to go deal with Russian planes flying in Russian airspace.

 

 

 

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 12:55 | 5234681 sainchaw
sainchaw's picture

perfect timing to scare the Scottish people.

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 14:47 | 5235266 Reptil
Reptil's picture

they always do that. not news. :-)

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 20:46 | 5236507 Quaderratic Probing
Quaderratic Probing's picture

Ever since those dual prop noise makers were new, when I was young.

You can hear them 200 miles away.. really

Fri, 09/19/2014 - 18:32 | 5236104 Rootin' for Putin
Rootin&#039; for Putin's picture

The more you fly bombers to the UK, the more fighters they keep at home and dont send on maneuvers to poland.

Its all part of some plan somehow.

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