This page has been archived and commenting is disabled.

Russia To Increase 'Combat Capabilities' In Crimea, Sees Ukraine Conflict Worsening

Tyler Durden's picture




 

Following the adoption of its new military doctrine signed by President Vladimir Putin in December which identifies NATO expansion as an external risk, it is perhaps hardly surprising that, as Reuters reports, Russia's top general, Valery Garesimov stated that the "Defence Ministry will focus its efforts on increasing the combat capabilities of its units and increasing combat strength.. with special attention will be given to the groups in Crimea." Amid renewed heavy shelling in Donetsk, NATO's top military commander noted they will be stepping up exercises in the Baltic Sea region as Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin warns, "the situation in eastern Ukraine is deteriorating."

 

As Reuters reports,

Russia's top general said on Tuesday he would beef up combat capabilities this year in Crimea, the Arctic and the country's westernmost Kaliningrad region that borders two NATO states.

 

The remarks by General Valery Gerasimov, chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, are likely to deepen concern in the West over what it sees as Russia increasingly flexing its muscles since the start of the crisis in Ukraine.

 

"In 2015, the Defence Ministry will focus its efforts on increasing the combat capabilities of its units and increasing combat strength in accordance with the military development plans," Gerasimov told Russian journalists.

 

"Special attention will be given to the groups in Crimea, the Kaliningrad region and the Arctic," he was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies but gave no further details.

 

His remarks follow the adoption of a new military doctrine signed by President Vladimir Putin in December which underlines the need to protect Russia's interests in the Arctic and identifies NATO expansion as an external risk.

 

...

 

Russia deployed 14 military jets to Crimea last November as part of a squadron of 30 that will be stationed there, making clear it intends to strengthen its presence on the peninsula since annexing it from Kiev last March.

And NATO is not standing still...

NATO's top military commander, General Philip Breedlove, said the alliance was already looking at stepping up exercises in the Baltic Sea region in response to a rise in Russian military manoeuvres there late last year.

 

Breedlove warned at the time that Russia's "militarization" of Crimea could be used to exert control over the Black Sea.

 

He said on Tuesday NATO was considering adapting a programme of military exercises in the Baltic Sea region, where he said Russian activities had changed in character and showed capabilities not seen before.

 

"The first series of changes will not be an increase in number but they will be to group them together ... to better prepare our forces and to allow nations to work together as a NATO force, but we are looking at increasing some exercises," he said at a NATO base at Szczecin in northwest Poland.

 

NATO has boosted its military presence in eastern Europe, saying it has evidence Russia orchestrated and armed the rebellion in eastern Ukraine last year that followed the overthrow of a Kremlin-backed president in Kiev.

And Bloomberg confirms, Russian Foreign Ministry Sees Ukraine Conflict Worsening

Situation in eastern Ukraine is deteriorating, RIA Novosti reports, citing Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin.

It’s time for Ukraine govt to make decisions: Karasin

And as the following live feed and clips suggest, he is not wrong...

Overnight attacks...

Live Feed (following the "leave Doetsk Airport Or Die" Threats...

*  *  *

Ironically, this increased sbare-rattling comes at a time when Dow Jones reports what appears like Europe's continued efforts at detente with Russia...

The European Union could significantly scale back sanctions and resume discussions with Russia on issues from visa-free travel, co-operation with the Moscow-led Eurasian Economic Union and the crisis in Libya, Syria and Iraq if Russia moves to end the crisis in eastern Ukraine, according to an EU discussion paper.

 

While insisting the EU cannot return to "business as usual" with Moscow, the paper suggests the EU consider gradually normalizing many aspects of its ties with Russia in what would be a significant shift in relations. It says that would depend on Moscow fully implementing the peace and cease-fire deals it signed with Ukraine, standing by its gas-supply agreement with Ukraine and throwing no fresh wrenches in the way of the EU-Ukraine trade and political pact.

 

The paper, which has not yet been sent to member states, was prepared by the EU's foreign-policy arm ahead of a meeting of the bloc's foreign ministers on Monday in Brussels. No immediate decisions are expected from that meeting where the EU's medium-term approach to Russia is the main item on the agenda. EU energy chief Maros Sefcovic will visit Moscow on Wednesday for discussions with top officials from the government and the state gas company Gazprom.

*  *  *

Just when you thought it was all over...

 

- advertisements -

Comment viewing options

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.
Tue, 01/13/2015 - 12:52 | 5655614 Kaiser Sousa
Kaiser Sousa's picture

Vlad stop appeasing...

pre-emptive strike is the way to go...

the more u wait the more the sociopaths in the US shadow goevernment will push...

 

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 12:57 | 5655623 Rory_Breaker
Rory_Breaker's picture

Pre-emptive strike may become unavoidable soon

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:05 | 5655633 Latina Lover
Latina Lover's picture

We are witnessing the  Götterdämmerung of  Kiev Coup government as the Ukraine runs out of money, and has nothing left to steal.

Since porkyschenko and the Kiev Kriminals are nothing more that buttboy puppets of the USSA state department, by ruining the Ukraine they are merely following orders: if you can't control it, own it or steal it, then destroy it.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:11 | 5655675 Headbanger
Headbanger's picture

Long bomb shelters and iodine pills

Oh yeah.. And lead foil boxer shorts!

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:24 | 5655735 Manthong
Manthong's picture

“Russia's "militarization" of Crimea could be used to exert control over the Black Sea.”

That’s a shock.. if you are freaking ignorant.

God forbid the U.S. should ever care to exert control over the Gulf of Mexico or the Carribean.

 

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:27 | 5655771 silvermail
silvermail's picture

Russia began to occupy the militarization of the Crimea and other Russians areas, only because the United States for many years engaged in the militarization of all the world.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:34 | 5655801 Momauguin Joe
Momauguin Joe's picture

OT: Flight out of lax in trouble. Looks like they are in a holding loop. DAL2116.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:51 | 5655886 cossack55
cossack55's picture

I'm diggin' the new T-14 Armata. Sweet ride.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 14:04 | 5655960 Publicus
Publicus's picture

Wait till China stations joint-troops in Crimea, that will spell the end of the NWO.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 14:16 | 5656035 Manthong
Manthong's picture

Well that's an interesting twist.

JFK took us to the brink of nuclear war for less than what we have been doing to Russia in eastern Europe and Ukraine.

But Russia is not going the megalomaniac fed bozos biggest problem.

The real challenge on our southern flank will come from China.

 

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 14:20 | 5656070 pendragon
pendragon's picture

in other news the ruble got taken to the woodshed (again). maybe putin would be better served focussing on the real issues.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 15:50 | 5656642 Funny Money
Funny Money's picture

What is it with Russia and enslaving their neighbors?

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 16:16 | 5656773 TheFourthStooge-ing
TheFourthStooge-ing's picture

What a poor propaganda.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 18:48 | 5657553 NoDecaf
NoDecaf's picture

nah, that's top notch stupidity.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 15:55 | 5656660 tonyw
tonyw's picture

"...

The European Union could significantly scale back sanctions and resume discussions with Russia on issues from visa-free travel, co-operation with the Moscow-led Eurasian Economic Union and the crisis in Libya, Syria and Iraq if Russia moves to end the crisis in eastern Ukraine

..."

Note carefully how the propaganda is structured, the assumption is that russsia is at fault and europe is trying its best to negotiate and it is only russia's unreasonableness that is preventing eternal peace and joy.

There is absolutely no mention of the fact the kiev junta has and is shelling the eastern population, deliberately damaging the infrastructure, has cut off access to their own money in banks  ......

Maybe we can reword it as,   If russia rolls over and lets itself be raped again then the sanctions will be lifted. Not such a generous offer now is it.

 

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 16:55 | 5656986 giggler321
giggler321's picture

What's even more funny and frankly stupid is - well they are all demands on Russia.  As if the EU/Western puppets of Z have white gloves and done nothing but look at the horrors of USSR.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 17:07 | 5657049 Real Estate Geek
Real Estate Geek's picture

Good points. Also unsaid is that full adherence to those agreements would require the rebels to be disarmed and left at the mercy of Porky and State's other puppets.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:47 | 5655871 Anusocracy
Anusocracy's picture

Hell hath no fury like an alpha-psychopath scorned.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:51 | 5655888 KnuckleDragger-X
KnuckleDragger-X's picture

Russian military forces really aren't that good but they actually a force unlike NATO which is a paper tiger. The US pulled out the last of their combat forces out a few years ago and all we have left there is support/logistics and a few aircraft. NATO forces for the most part are poorly armed and trained except for a few countries like Poland and Lithuania. Spring is the start of war season and if Russia rolls a division or two into the Crimea, NATO will shit itself.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 15:45 | 5656617 tonyw
tonyw's picture

the US has 64,000 troops occupying europe.

 

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 15:57 | 5656677 oddjob
oddjob's picture

So they'd be outnumbered by football hooligans alone at a ratio of 20 to 1, at a minimum.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 18:36 | 5657496 KnuckleDragger-X
KnuckleDragger-X's picture

That's an old number and a uniform doesn't make you a spear carrier....

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 17:12 | 5657086 Real Estate Geek
Real Estate Geek's picture

Honest question: what's the basis for your low opinion of their military? Conscription? TIA

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 18:14 | 5657389 noben
noben's picture

The first thing they need to do is stop shipping coal to Ukraine, unless it's COD.

And force Ukraine into bankruptcy by foreclosing (calling in) their overdue Debts. CRASH their CB and their currency.

All else is just Appeasement, trying to pose as something "deeper or more strategic" -- when it isn't.

Sometimes you just gotta go for the jugular (the weak spot), not the jaw or ribs (where you hurt your own bones). Duh!

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:34 | 5655799 Herd Redirectio...
Herd Redirection Committee's picture

"He who can destroy a thing, can control a thing."

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 14:12 | 5656008 emersonreturn
emersonreturn's picture

@herd re,

 

"to know a thing one must take it apart." Cern

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 18:51 | 5657567 NoDecaf
NoDecaf's picture

"He who hesitates, masturbates"

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 15:22 | 5656482 PrayingMantis
PrayingMantis's picture

 

 

... >>> "He who can destroy a thing, can control a thing."

... because a thing of booty is a joy to plunder ... :)

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 14:56 | 5656336 Oracle 911
Oracle 911's picture

The Russians are NOT crazy, the US "elites" are.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:17 | 5655715 Ghordius
Ghordius's picture

what I don't understand is this thing about "Kiev Coup Gov". you are trying to make some "rah rah" about the Kiev government not being legitimate

wake up. a government does not need your legitimation. just recognition from the others as being those who command the guns. it's part and parcel of sovereignty, btw

can we finally stop having all this pro-/anti- partisan propaganda, here? damn, it already costed us akak and many other valuable commenters

if you want to damage "porkyschenko", then write about his connections to Hunter Biden, for example. I'm sick of those rants for the pure purpose of ranting (yes, I realize this is a rant, too)

who is the main opposition to the current Ukrainian government? do you even know something about them? if the current gov goes down, who is likely to take over?

bring some facts and news, instead of the usual wishes, wishes, wishes. rant end

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:38 | 5655826 Latina Lover
Latina Lover's picture

For me, some more interesting questions  are:

How is the national security of the US enhanced by the illegal overthrow of the previous Ukrainian President in favor of  state department sponsored puppets? 

Why is the US involved in Ukrainian politics in the first instance, and how do that make me as an american citizen safer?

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 14:37 | 5656208 Volkodav
Volkodav's picture

What makes you think that national security of US is something these doing this are concerned about?

They care nothing...only security important is themselves..

 

 

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 15:56 | 5656669 tonyw
tonyw's picture

No way is it to make anything better for joe public it is purely for the benefit of the 0.0001% who will let every ukrinian die if it weakens russia so they benefit.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:44 | 5655848 Bay of Pigs
Bay of Pigs's picture

Ghordius, I talked to akak the other day (via email). The Putin/Russia thing was just one issue with him. In general he felt the articles and commenting were going downhill around here, and thats why he stopped posting. He still lurks once in awhile.

Hoping to meet him face to face in Hawaii this winter...

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 15:28 | 5656513 BigJim
BigJim's picture

Send him my regards. He's missed.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 14:20 | 5656062 rwe2late
rwe2late's picture

Ghordius

the point of referring to the "Kiev COUP" government

is to remind those who know,

and raise the issue to possibly inform those who do not:

Putin thought (quite mistakenly) that a reasonable solution  to the popular unrest in Ukraine could be peaceably worked out with the US and especially the EU.

In fact, Yanukovych agreed Feb 21 to reduced powers, stepping down and holding early elections.
That agreement was mediated by Russia, France, Germany, and Poland,
AND WOULD NOT HAVE INVOLVED ANY PARTITIONING OF UKRAINE,

But that agreement was not good enough for the (f***-the-EU) US-CIA-Nuland backed extremists who seized power in a localized coup based around Kiev, and then attempted to militarily enforce their rule over other regions which did not support the coup.

Thus, the US has backed violent extremists in a coup against an elected government, and thereafter has supported (financially, militarily, politically,etc.) the military efforts by that Kiev COUP government to extend its rule over the other regions and former regions of Ukraine.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 14:33 | 5656168 Volkodav
Volkodav's picture

Ukraine has never been a sovereign nation.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 15:28 | 5656521 BigJim
BigJim's picture

 a government does not need your legitimation. just recognition from the others as being those who command the guns. it's part and parcel of sovereignty, btw

The Eastern Ukrainians beg to differ.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 16:09 | 5656733 TheFourthStooge-ing
TheFourthStooge-ing's picture

Ghordius sagt:

what I don't understand is this thing about "Kiev Coup Gov". you are trying to make some "rah rah" about the Kiev government not being legitimate

While I'm sure that you already recognize this, I want to point out for the benefit of other readers that these are two distinct and separate issues.

You are correct in pointing out that the technical legitimacy of a government is based on recognition of sovereignty by other sovereign governments. The Russian government recognizes the legitimacy of the current Ukrainian government. The US government recognizes the legitimacy of the current North Korean government. Debating this issue would be a waste of time.

Having said that, it is undeniable that the previous Ukrainian government was forcibly removed and the current Ukrainian government was put in place by a coup d'état which was facilitated by the US. The reason it is important to keep this in mind has nothing to do with the legitimacy of the Ukrainian government. It is important because otherwise the truth gets swept under the carpet and replaced with the standard narrative employed when the US overthrows a government it doesn't like. You know, the 'color revolutions', the peaceful uprisings of 'the people', the yearnings for 'freedom and democracy'.

While there is plenty of blame to go around, it must be remembered that it didn't have to turn out this way, and the death, destruction, misery, and despair could have been avoided.

https://consortiumnews.com/2015/01/06/nyt-still-pretends-no-coup-in-ukra...

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 18:47 | 5657547 skepsis101
skepsis101's picture

Ghordius,

sometimes your just full of shit.  How about you ask your grandparents what they thought of "government legitmation" in 1914!  Your comment is some non-sensical Brusselian/Fukuyama "end of history" meme . . . (otherwise known as the total absence of historical memory) that will produce the exact opposite of what you desire.  Let me know your take on Ukraine again the next time Panzers "race to the sea".

Oh, that's right . . . a (forcibly) united Europe will never devolve again!!!  

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 19:17 | 5657679 skepsis101
skepsis101's picture

Ghordius, 

sometimes your just so full of shit.  I know your no reactionary neo-con . . . but I do get tired of your  'United European Dream Act" sometimes.  Ask your grandparents about "government legitimation" in 1914!  Your comment is some sorry ass kind of a post-modern Brusselian/Fukuyama end-of-history meme  . . . and that attitude may just come back to bite you in the ass someday.  Don't bother to respond, just remember me the next time a ring of Panzers races over Belgium to the sea.  Then you can call and plead for LEGITIMATION!!!

And yes, the commentary was much better here with Akak and others in the past, but Langley's investment is clearly paying off.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 14:05 | 5655972 Ondoron
Ondoron's picture

Latina Lover, unfortunately you misspelled the guys name. His name is Pyro-shenko... :)

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 14:33 | 5656157 Volkodav
Volkodav's picture

Family name is Walzman

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 16:31 | 5656850 Anunnaki
Anunnaki's picture

I prefer Pol Pot Shenko

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:03 | 5655645 Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill's picture

Short fighting seson over there, May thru' October, can be shorter depending on the weather.

He is stalling, not appeasing, gambling the US will blow up from  dervatives, before Russia

does.Looks like a safe bet right now..

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:09 | 5655670 El Vaquero
El Vaquero's picture

My thoughts exactly.  It's coming up on 7 years since the last financial crisis, and we have a much less sound financial base to work with today than we did back then.  We have oil prices going down and a lot of junk bonds that were issued back when oil was more expensive and yields on those bonds were around 4%.  Now they're around 10%.  I've read that the hedges that those oil companies have run out at the middle of the year. 

 

Oh, and BTW, that's the fighting season for most armies, not the Russians.  During WWII, they really started to hit back hard when it wasn't fighting season for the Germans. 

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:30 | 5655776 BlindMonkey
BlindMonkey's picture

Yeah. Good you bring up junk bonds. The Fitch downgrade of the RF was an amazing thing to see. They are in the strongest financial shape of any of the top 10 countries and they get downgraded. Well good for them. It has forced a fiscal discipline that nobody else has had to do.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 14:31 | 5656144 Volkodav
Volkodav's picture

Ukraine winter is mild compared to what the Siber Military Districts prepare for.

 

btw. Tomsk/Seversk much above normal temps. 

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 14:53 | 5656321 TheReplacement
TheReplacement's picture

If you can walk, it is fighting season.  Anyone who doesn't get that is bound to lose just like Paulus or Napolean.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:10 | 5655684 roadhazard
roadhazard's picture

I agree with, "he is stalling...derivities.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 14:16 | 5656042 Stumpy4516
Stumpy4516's picture

quoted "He is stalling, not appeasing, gambling the US will blow up from  dervatives,"

Ok, I guess Russia has been waiting since Iraq1, Iraq2, Serbia, Libya, Syria, and on and on.

And for those who claim NOW Putin is gonna do something in Ukraine.  Putin forced the EUkraine fighters to stop and accept a cease fire just when EUkraine had gained great advantage and were posed to wipe out divisions of WUkraine and were going to push WUk well back from the interior of the east.  The leader of the EUk army called this a betrayal by Putin.  Obviously Putin wants the fight to continue.  But he made another mistake, he did not couunt on the US/Masood forming an over powering force with backing and unleashing it on WUk and taking the east quickly.  That is what they are preparing to do.  After that, or rather during that, NATO moves into Ukraine.  Putin tried to be too cleaver and now will have NATO along the Uk border and right at th edge of Crimea.  Then covert attacks into Crimea will haunt Putin and create an unstable war zone that will include rockets fired into his naval base. 

Great Chess Player?  So, why did Putin stop the EUk army?  Why did Putin allow the WUk divisions to withdraw safely?  Why did Putin force EUk to accept the cease fire when they had the advantage?

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 15:34 | 5656544 BigJim
BigJim's picture

Maybe ZATO promised they'd back off if he let the WUks survive, and Putin was dumb enough to take them at their word?

Who knows. But it's pretty clear Russia has been steadily losing friends and buffers over the last couple of decades.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 15:40 | 5656584 silvermail
silvermail's picture

You'll learn more about that later, when Putin announced his next Checkmate.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 16:29 | 5656839 Anunnaki
Anunnaki's picture

Putin isn't interested in a bifurcated Ukraine. He doesn't want a Galician terror state on his left flank. Plus the Easterners would have been vastly over extended and ran the risk of being encircled in cauldrons of their own.

 

 

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 16:48 | 5656940 Seamus Padraig
Seamus Padraig's picture

Putin knew that Washington wanted to be able to accuse him of launching a conventional war Ukraine to get Europe to embargo Russia. He wanted the Minsk Agreement more than Mariupol, so that the EU has a face-saving exit from Washington's madness. So far, Europe hasn't taken it, but Putin doesn't want to be the one restart any hot war in Donbass--he'd prefer that Kiev go first, just like Georgia in 2008.

Anyway, I personally believe the main action may shortly migrate back the middle-east. Obama now wants an AUMF to put ground troops into Syria. Looks like they're finally going to go after Assad.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 14:20 | 5656079 Volkodav
Volkodav's picture

Season? Fact is there is fighting now....

 

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 18:21 | 5657429 noben
noben's picture

If Putin is "stalling, not appeasing, gambling the US will blow up derivatives", then he's getting some VERY BAD advice. From the Fifth Column insiders.

The US and the Fed can stay solvent a LOT longer than you, me, ZHers or Putin's "advice".

If it's not Appeasement, its Grand-Deception or Grand-Delusion going on in Moscow.

Right now the weather is Russia's friend. Soon it won't be. Duh!

That's why you use Full-Spectrum Domination of the Kiev's junta's FINANCE & ECONOMY: 1. Stop shipping coal, 2. call in their debt, and 3. accept payment only in Gold. Then wait for and fan the 2nd Maidan revolution.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:05 | 5655649 El Vaquero
El Vaquero's picture

If NATO really is pushing for war, rather than destabilization, first strike may be what NATO wants them to do.  If that is the case, then waiting until we have another financial crisis on our hands may be best option for them.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:08 | 5655668 McMolotov
McMolotov's picture

Still can't believe the NATO dude's name is "Breedlove." I guess "Strangelove" would have strained credibility.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:13 | 5655704 WTFUD
WTFUD's picture

It'll be Toughlove when the Russians are jerking over his stupid face.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 16:17 | 5656774 layman_please
layman_please's picture

Spreadlove

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:22 | 5655739 Ghordius
Ghordius's picture

"If NATO really is pushing for war..." there can't be war. MAD still applies. there can be only conflict

now, the conflict in Ukraine costed 3'000 deaths. I think 3'000 too many, but that's me. Is that not enough methadone? Does it really have to be the heroin "golden shot"?

no. all those dreams and nightmares of heroin are a byproduct of relentless propaganda for moar war, and more spending for war

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:31 | 5655789 El Vaquero
El Vaquero's picture

1) Leaders in the US are insane. 

2) Very few people have a living memory of what nukes actually do.  I know one living person who has seen them go off, and he is in his '80s.  He will tell anybody that you cannot comprehend, and I mean really comprehend just how powerful they are unless you witness it first hand.  They are that far beyond anything in typical human experience.  The neocons here might very well think that a nuclear exchange is survivable because of that. 

3) Even if that is not the plan, many wars are stumbled into, not planned.  How many wars were to "be over by Christmas?" 

 

There can be war.  MAD only applies when it is understood for what it really is.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:40 | 5655833 Ignatius
Ignatius's picture

We had a city coucil meeting recently and our mayor thought he should have a nuke, you know, "just in case."  Being a strong 2nd Amendment guy I was ready to support him, but your post really makes me wonder if that's such a good idea.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:50 | 5655878 El Vaquero
El Vaquero's picture

Ask yourself what effect it would have on the security of a free state.  And the big secret with nukes is not how to build them.  We figured that out in the 1940s.  The big secret is that they work.  I really think that, so long as we have a society capable of building and maintaining them, the world ought to agree to one above ground test every decade or so, where top military officials, politicians and scientists are invited to watch. 

Wed, 01/14/2015 - 01:05 | 5658755 Element
Element's picture

Can Hitler come to? I don't see why not, Nuttyahooey will be there.

I like the general idea but it will give some of the more aggressive new delusions of conquest and necessary repression of nuclear aspirants. It will also make those without one realize they need one if others have them.

I agree with much you say, in principle, on the topic of these munitions. I don't call them 'weapons' as that would suggest some form of military validity, when anything larger than about 5 kt is really just a device designed for indiscriminate mass-murder of civilians, but is controlled by a military, rather than a death-row prison inmate.

 

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:43 | 5655855 Antifaschistische
Antifaschistische's picture

Thanks for reminding us El V.

In addition to your comments regarding nuclear weaponry, it's also worth  noting that our borders are WAY too porous to ever prevent nuclear weapons from coming in IF someone had the intent to do so, a nice bank account, and 1/2 a brain.

Heck, you can watch Mexican drug smugglers on TV (national geographics for God's sake) bringing in tons (literally) of cocaine into the SFBay with no problem.   Forget ICBMs and missle defense systems...

God help us if some "leader" around the world actually said, 'now it's okay for use a nuclear weapon'.  

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:53 | 5655879 Ignatius
Ignatius's picture

Therefore, being polite would seem a rational course.  So I guess I'm gonna go with El Vaquero's option #1: our leaders are insane.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 17:27 | 5657153 Real Estate Geek
Real Estate Geek's picture

Conflicts, per se, are like litigation in that you never know how it will go, so if a conflict is started it could easily escalate it into war, intended or not.
Or, as that sage Mike Tyson said, "everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth."

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:41 | 5655843 robertocarlos
robertocarlos's picture

Yes I think a 20 mega-tonne nuke landing on DC today would be the right call/

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 16:05 | 5656709 Joe Tierney
Joe Tierney's picture

No need for Vladdy-Poot to do a preemptive strike.

 

U.S. and Europe keep sticking their dicks where they don't belong - in Russia's face and in China's face too, with the pivot to SE Asia.

 

All Pooty needs to do is let them keep advancing further into Ukraine, and then bog them down in a bloody proxy war. They're no match for Russia, because they are the quagmire war boys. Just replay the quagmire wars of the West over the past 15 years.

 

Then, while they're pinned down in Ukraine and trying to eke out a win, China can move on disputed islands, and the trap slams shut on the West.

Overstretched, over-played, just plain "over" as far as global hegemony goes.

 

Add in some well-placed attacks against the dollar, and you've got a new world order centered in the East.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 12:53 | 5655615 Ignatius
Ignatius's picture

"Just when you thought it was all over..."

Was it over when the Russians bombed Pearl harbor?

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:06 | 5655657 Latina Lover
Latina Lover's picture

When did Russia bomb Pearl Harbor?  Didn't the Japanese do it, or are you quoting from the Ukie PM Ratsenyuks history book,  the version where the Soviet Union invaded Germany?

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:12 | 5655683 Ignatius
Ignatius's picture

Stop with the double-talk already, don't you remember when the Russians attacked the USS Liberty or when they bombarded Fort Sumter? Is this an example of "Latin" education?

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:39 | 5655822 trulz4lulz
trulz4lulz's picture

Im too young to remember that, but I can tell you I will never forget when the RUssians did 9/11! That day will haunt me forever.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 14:37 | 5656201 Ignatius
Ignatius's picture

And then had the nerve to rub it in our faces with this monument.

Sat, 01/17/2015 - 17:53 | 5674652 trulz4lulz
trulz4lulz's picture

Ahh yes, the nerve indeed. Im happy our glorious leaders erected such a vile and contemptuous eye sore in a decaying jersey industrial park.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:11 | 5655688 Seek_Truth
Seek_Truth's picture

He's channeling John Belushi:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8lT1o0sDwI

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:12 | 5655695 pods
pods's picture

Forget it, he's rolling.

:D

Edit:  Seek you beat me.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:10 | 5655681 notallangreenspan
notallangreenspan's picture

Everyone knows that it was the Germans who bombed Pearl Harbor. 

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:23 | 5655752 SofaPapa
SofaPapa's picture

It was the North Koreans silly!

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:36 | 5655812 HowdyDoody
HowdyDoody's picture

Strictly the US did it, using the Japanese as their proxy.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 12:56 | 5655618 Seasmoke
Seasmoke's picture

If I know the best defense is a great offense. Surely Vlad knows this ??

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:00 | 5655641 NotApplicable
NotApplicable's picture

Unless it is led into a trap. There simply aren't any win-win scenarios for Putin here.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:28 | 5655767 SofaPapa
SofaPapa's picture

Putin needs to divorce the EUcrats from the UScrats.  He is working very hard at that.  I wish him luck, for Europe's sake.  I also hope that a side effect of this is that the EUcrats revert back to the Germancrats, the Frenchcrats, the Spanicrats, etc.  Gutting US influence in Europe and eliminating the Brussels crew would be huge advances in the fight against NWO plans.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 21:34 | 5658125 StychoKiller
StychoKiller's picture

A black belt in Judo sez otherwise.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 12:58 | 5655625 Haus-Targaryen
Haus-Targaryen's picture

If the EUR and the Ruskies get too cozy together.  Expect some American navy vessal to get exploded in the Black Sea, likely in the deepest part.  It will get blamed on the Russians, and wa-la The British playbook from 1939 works like a charm again 

"Get the Germans and Russians to fight one another instead of joining forces."  

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 12:59 | 5655637 silvermail
silvermail's picture

NATO will not be able to defeat Russia in a conventional war on the territory of Russia - in the Crimea or the Ukraine near the Russian border. NATO victory in a war against Russia - a utopia and fantasy. If now in Moscow will be a political decision, then five days later, the Russian army will be in Kiev and on the border with Poland. Russian army will not capture other cities, as it naively believed Brzezinski. They will capture only Kiev and closed all roads and communication to all the other cities. And of course they would close the borders of Ukraine.
What NATO could do? Send their soldiers to die for Ukraine? What kind of soldier - Polish, German or American?

But as NATO (this is from the word USA) can fight without air superiority?
And as NATO (this is from the word USA) can fight in the face of constant and heavy losses in manpower and equipment?
NATO does not have such opportunities.
All NATO operations - is a military-police operation, or it air strikes on objects of a weak opponent.
In a real war against a powerful enemy, the value of the army NATO (this is from the word military police) and NATO air power (this is from the word "all air targets destroyed"), is zero.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:06 | 5655650 Ghordius
Ghordius's picture

there is no way NATO can defeat Russia and there is no way Russia can defeat NATO

there is a way, though, for the US MIC to cry for more spending and for the Russian MIC to cry in a duet with the first. Their interests are the same of their "opponents"

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:22 | 5655744 piratepiet
piratepiet's picture

Ghordius, are you still stuck in that paradigm ?

Nato serves to prevent a Eurasian union forming.  You think Russians are our natural enemies ?   

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:31 | 5655782 Element
Element's picture

Bullshit, that would already be occurring if Moscow had not entered into combat with Ukraine.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:33 | 5655792 piratepiet
piratepiet's picture

elites in Moscow and Washington are possibly in cahoots ( since 1917 ? )

Look up geopolitical thought of Mackinder. 

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:35 | 5655804 Element
Element's picture

Not going to talk about speculative crap, sorry.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:41 | 5655821 piratepiet
piratepiet's picture

No need to apologise. 

I for one consider the possibility that the deceptions run very deep. 

Weapons of mass deception...

 

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:54 | 5655899 robertocarlos
robertocarlos's picture

If they blow the Earth up then we will know they weren't in cahoots.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:57 | 5655905 Element
Element's picture

Well spotted ;)

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 14:00 | 5655927 piratepiet
piratepiet's picture

Let me ask you this :

How many US or USSR/Russian soldiers died in military confrontations between USA and USSR/Russia ? Less than at Charlie Hebdo last week ?

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 16:44 | 5656921 Beowulf55
Beowulf55's picture

...then maybe you should not speculate that Russia entered into combat with Ukraine.  Last I knew the US govt is sending letal weapons to Ukraine ...

http://www.hangthebankers.com/hacked-documents-us-sending-lethal-weapons...

while Russia is sending humanitarian aid....

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/11/russia-humanitarian-convoy-...

Wonder who really shot down MH-17?

http://www.globalresearch.ca/meet-the-pilot-who-shot-down-malaysian-boei...

 

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 17:18 | 5657104 piratepiet
piratepiet's picture

Both Russia and US aiding one side in Ukraine can be consistent with them being in cahoots.

The game is called 'divide et impera' ( divide and rule ) and is at least a few thousand years old.

Wed, 01/14/2015 - 02:34 | 5658917 Element
Element's picture

 

 

"... then maybe you should not speculate that Russia entered into combat with Ukraine. ..."

 

Lie to yourself much?

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 14:10 | 5655995 Haus-Targaryen
Haus-Targaryen's picture

Oh fuck you with the wrong end of a rake.  

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 14:27 | 5656131 Element
Element's picture

And you're the hypocrite I spoke with 9 months ago, who said you were convinced the Ukraine mess could easily start a nuclear war. But here you are, full-blown psycho partisanship, cheering for Russian aggressions, each and every day.

 

i.e. you are the stereotypical shallow partisan idiot.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 14:41 | 5656245 Haus-Targaryen
Haus-Targaryen's picture

I never said that.  Check your sources.  

Oh wait -- you are your own source.  Carry on.  

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 14:57 | 5656346 Haus-Targaryen
Haus-Targaryen's picture

Check your sources.  I never said any such thing.  

Oh, wait -- you are your own source.  Nevermind then.  Carry on.  

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 16:15 | 5656770 Ventnor
Ventnor's picture

Dear Element,

Look at it this way:   

1) Crimea -- a Russian territory -- seceeded.  it had every right to do so for reasons too obvious to need stating. From US independence in 1776 to the fall of Soviet power in 1991, Crimea was under Muscovite rule and no US administration ever claimed this constituted a threat to the United States.

2) The West applauded the Nazi seizure of government buildings in Lvov and other W. Ukrainian cities during the Maidan uprising last fall and winter, and told Yanukovich that if he attacked them, the West would sanction Ukraine.  When E. Ukraine followed suit, Washington/Brussels changed their tune -- Kiev was told not to negotiate, but to attack.

3) Russia has clearly armed the insurgency in E. Ukraine, but then why not?  Washington arms rebels and insurgents all over the world whether or not US interests are involved.  Surely, we cannot be surprised, nor can we legitmately object, when V. V. Putin intervenes to protect his compatriots in E. Ukraine?  As he said at the outset of his presidency: "We Russians will not be cannon fodder for the New World Order."  He has an absolute moral right to support his people against the genocidal onslaught of the US/Ukrainain forces, and we have a moral imperative to quit helping Kiev obliterate apartment blocks in Donetsk and Lugansk.

4) The US started all this in its mania to dragoon Ukraine into Western structures.  When France and Germany wouldn't hear of Kiev joining NATO, Washington importuned the EU to rope Kiev in through the Association Agreement ploy. This failed.  So we reverted to the regime-change ploy, which must have seemed clever because the thing came to a head as V. V. Putin wa busy presidung over the Sochi Olympics.  We did not forsee Crimea's secession, nor the civil war in the east.  

If our democratists had allowed the Ukrainian political calendar to proceed unmolested, elections would have taken place in Feb 2015 and Yanukovich would, in all likelihood, have lost.  And Crimea would still part of the Ukrainian Republic and there would be no civil war in the east.

Wed, 01/14/2015 - 00:44 | 5658665 Element
Element's picture

Thank you for putting that view, and your courtesy also.

Here's an (annoyed) comment I wrote some time ago so that people can see the comparative alternative to most of what has occurred, compared to the outcome we see:

--

Comment by Element (remarks [] and bold added):

"... take note that the deal for the IMF loans and EU association agreement that was agreed to by the coup beneficiaries, was actually negotiated with exactly the same conditions, FIRST, by President Viktor Yanukovych, which he rejected on the 19th December 2013, because the conditions were so shitty they were impossible to live with.

 

[hence the refinancing loans this past week as another band aide, with much more to come - this is why Yanukovych said we can not do that, so the association with EU is off also]

 

Two days after the failure of the Association agreement, due to the extremely shitty IMF terms the coup action plan commenced then the people who got the reins of power implemented EXACTLY the same deal as the one President Viktor Yanukovych was working on [and rejected as impossible terms].
 
Except the coup plotters actually signed it.
 
Hence Ukraine is in the toilet for decades.
 
But the only reason Yanukovych was working on IMF loans is because Ukraine was already buggered.
 
i.e. no matter who took over collapse was baked in. And if Yanukovych had signed with the IMF instead, then the Russians would probably still have done most of the very same things to guard its Black sea fleet and port access.
 
So, did it make a damn bit of difference?
 
Not to Ukraine! And not to Russia, because Ukraine then had ZERO choice remaining but to cast its' lot with the West, one way or another.
 
It just turned out to be the other way is all [i.e. via a coup instead].
 
What's the bloody difference? It was a Sovereign default and they hadn't paid the gas bill, so Russia carved up Ukraine because it did not like the divorce terms and wanted to take the car and the kids.
 
So now we have a custody battle which Russia is going to lose ... and get very badly hurt by."
 
 
[comment # 5524242 - page 3]
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-12-05/ron-paul-warns-reckless-congres...

--

 

So now it is a case for the divorce court (and that will not deal with narratives).

It, of course, comes down to recognized International Legality, not to the respective narratives presented by any side (you, me, some propagandist, Putin, NATO, it's not pertinent).

Many commentators apparently can't or won't grasp and acknowledge that this is the path to a full diplomatic resolution, and it does have to be resolved in this way, both to avoid war, and for the sanctions to be removed, which otherwise will not be lifted (these are diplomatic tools short of combat) until the legal case is treated with diplomatic rigor to fully resolve it.

________

If I were Putin I would get that done and move on, as quickly as possible. The longer it's left the more the Russian state will be sunk and Donbas will become the least of Russian concerns. There is no military solutions for Moscow in Ukraine. Any continued attempt to use military forces will lead to greater and deeper economic and financial damages plus growing isolation. There can be no Eurasian economic connectivity until this is fully respected and appropriately resolved, and the damage heals.

If Putin is not the man for the job then Russia will need to face this and decide on another leader who can resolve it so all countries can move on. Putin may not like that the former missus, Ukraine, has separated and taken a new fella to the cot, but he is going to have to come to terms with it, or Russia is going to be severely damaged from here.

No matter what Putin's rhetorical claims are in his unrealistic chest-thumping recent speeches, Russia is not exempt from the norms of International Law and is not exempt from the tools and requirements of actual diplomacy between all Sovereign states. 

Why he and his advisers ever imagined this would not be the case is both inexplicable and thoroughly unacceptable.

Wed, 01/14/2015 - 02:30 | 5658910 Haus-Targaryen
Haus-Targaryen's picture

So essentially you want Russia to roll over and be like every other country that has "bent the knee" to Washington.  

You are ignoring some very important and materialy differences in culture between the East and the West.  Surely you understand that this is not possible anymore.  The EU can accept the Crimera belongs to Russia now, and remove sanctions and move on.  Playing Micky-Mouse with the Ruple, oil prices, and SWIFT will not do anything except push Russia and China closer together.  It will not bring Putin to the table.  Thinking it will is being dishonest with yourself.  

If you would like to talk about international law, we sure can, lets start with the American drone program and a couple countries -- Yemen & Pakistan.  Or, if you want to talk about "arming rebels" how about we discuss the few hundred million (perhaps north of a billion now) worth of arms that ISIS has of ours?  

See, the reason I have literally zero respect for your positions is they are very intellectually and ideological dishonest/double sided.  

US arming a coup government = good.  Russia arming a coup government = bad.   

Wed, 01/14/2015 - 03:52 | 5659011 Ghordius
Ghordius's picture

Haus, I don't think you have understood Element's points

Particularly this one "Russia is (...) not exempt from the tools and requirements of actual diplomacy between all Sovereign states."

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:17 | 5655712 El Vaquero
El Vaquero's picture

One word:  Logistics.

 

Russia is a mighty large country and supply chains would get very long and expensive.  So, who wants to loan the US more money so that it can invade Russia?

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:24 | 5655748 Ghordius
Ghordius's picture

how much? Iraq costed one trillion. Russia... I can't count that high

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:32 | 5655786 SofaPapa
SofaPapa's picture

Invading Russia is a moot point.  It is a certainty that the second foreign forces crossed the border, nukes would fly.  And regardless of all the "planning" our militaries like to engage in, that would represent the Mike Tyson "punched in the face" moment.  No one has a remote idea (myself included) of what would happen in that scenario.  I only hope it never materializes.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:32 | 5655795 Element
Element's picture

The US already said clearly there's "no military solution" in Ukraine.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:39 | 5655820 SofaPapa
SofaPapa's picture

And yet they vote to provide lethal aid to the Ukraine "government".  Actions speak louder than words...

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:48 | 5655854 Element
Element's picture

It means, no solution.

Not for me and not for you.

That's the policy.

It involves weapons and training.

The West will not attack, but it will provide Ukraine the ability to maintain and or recover its territory against an attack or coercion by Russia.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:54 | 5655894 SofaPapa
SofaPapa's picture

You are making a distinction between "The West" and the government in Ukraine.  When that government is a puppet state of "The West" (proven by imported government officials, specifically given passports so as to be able to be installed in positions of power), the line is mighty blurry.  If the puppet government of "The West" attacks, you are telling me that's not "The West" attacking?

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 14:09 | 5655975 Element
Element's picture

You are being unrealistic, in WWII the American General MacArthur went from evacuation of the Philippines to setting up a new HQ in Melbourne, Victoria. To obtain close US Alliance and assistance the Govt had to come to the party, and create the situation and structures needed for that to operate in a wartime national emergency.

Ukraine and Washington are doing the same in this circumstance. It is the cost Ukraine pays to obtain support from the largest alliance on earth.

Like they're going to, nor can, object much about the temporary erosion of Sovereignty. Australia's Sovereignty was likewise seriously undermined by having such huge US force within the country (and that compromise lasted well into the early 1970s, btw).

So be realistic, it's not unusual, it is inevitable.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 14:35 | 5656073 SofaPapa
SofaPapa's picture

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I REALLY love that turn of phrase: "temporary erosion of Sovereignty"!!!!!

Thanks for the laugh.  If this is your best defense of a puppet regime, our conversation is done.  Have a nice day.

edit to add:

I hope there are some genuine Ukranians reading this blog (though given conditions there, internet is unlikely to be widely accessible).  If there are any of you on here, how are you enjoying your "temporary erosion of Sovereignty"?  And I ask that question without anger towards you.  I am angry at those who have taken over the levers of government, but I do not believe they have much to do with the population of the country (just as our government has little to do with our will here in the US).  I hope and pray for the people there that you get these monkeys off your back as soon as possible.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 15:09 | 5656207 Element
Element's picture

Like I said, thoroughly unrealistic.

Have a look at Okinawa, or South Korea, or US bases in Europe, VOLUNTARY eroded soverignty, by agreement.

 

THE BLACK SEA FLEET BASE IN CRIMEA WAS LEGALLY AGREED TO BE A TEMPORARY EROSION OF UKRAINIAN TERRITORIAL SOVEREIGNTY, BY RUSSIA.

 

Look at the UK's lease of Hong Kong from China.

It was a temporary erosion of Chinese sovereignty, which was returned again, as per legal agreement.

The NATO Alliance and Washington made a legal agreement with Ukraine. Sovereignty is sacrificed, it is a trade.

If you don't like Sovereigns doing that, guess what?

 

S T I F F   S H I T !

 

It's none of your business what they do, within their own borders, and it's ZERO of Moscow's business, what agreements Ukraine makes, with anyone!

That is reality so I suggest you attempt to grow up and adjust yourself to that reality.

Ignorant immature child.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 15:19 | 5656453 SofaPapa
SofaPapa's picture

I shouldn't be surprised by the response.  I've run into this before, being called immature and unrealistic for suggesting that there should be some values that transcend the realm of power politics.  And yet I confess I am always surprised.  Call me naive (which you just have), but I stand by these beliefs anyway.

I would note that your response illustrates my point nicely.  Every one of the examples you cite - Okinawa, Korea, Europe, Hong Kong - is an example of an occupying power dictating terms to a people defeated in wartime.  You present this as though it is a "trade".  If I come and beat the shit out of you, and then you agree to give me your candy, this is called a trade?

Fundamentally, the basic disagreement you and I have here - which will not be solved no matter how many times we go back and forth - is that you are treating the current regime in Ukraine as the legitimate expression of the will of their people (foreign nationals in positions of power notwithstanding).  I think they are an installed regime that does not represent the population there, but rather represents the will of Joe Biden's son, George Soros, etc.

In my naive dreams, you would eventually find out that there are many Ukranians who do not appreciate being used as pawns in your "realistic" chess game.  Time will tell.

BTW, I fully agree it is not Moscow's business to install a regime there either, but what angers me so is the hypocrisy of the "West" to suggest that they are the ones acting in a neutral fashion here when $5 billion of Nuland's money flatly contradicts that possibility.  And at least in Russia's case, this is a legitimate border concern for them.  If this were happening in Canada, the US position would be far more defensible.  Russia has actual territorial defense worries and linguistic-ethnic ties to the area, making their actions far more legitimate than those of an imperial power thousands of miles distant from the region.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 14:27 | 5656121 silvermail
silvermail's picture

"Ukraine and Washington are doing?!" LOL

It sounds like "My penis and me are doing".

 

 

 

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 14:48 | 5656287 TheMeatTrapper
TheMeatTrapper's picture

"The West will not attack, but it will provide Ukraine the ability to maintain and or recover its territory against an attack or coercion by Russia."

Why should money be taken out of my pocket by force and given to Ukrainians? How does that make my family in Alabama safer?

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 15:04 | 5656381 Element
Element's picture

Why are you asking me?

I'm not advocating policy. I am not a partisan. I do not take a side. I am telling some total ignoramouses the implications of what is occurring.

Ask someone relevant.

 

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 15:34 | 5656557 SofaPapa
SofaPapa's picture

Your name calling is, among other things, off base. You don't know the background I bring to this conversation, just as I don't know your background.  We can each guess, based on what we've written, but that's about it.  Suffice it to say that an ignoramus in Russian / Soviet history is an inaccurate label.  You obviously disagree with and don't like my perspective.  That's fine.  But resorting to personal attacks does nothing to prove your perspective valid and mine not so.  I have mocked your argument, yes.  But I will willingly attack the perspectives of many people I consider smarter than I am if I think they are wrong.  I have no basis to comment on their abilities or character in general as a person.  I can only comment on what they say.  And that I will happily do. :)

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 15:54 | 5656624 Element
Element's picture

Boo-hoo, look at your comments above, I was 100% polite and 100% reasonable and you went at me and carried on like a jerk. You were appropriately slapped down and are crying like a little bitch about how unfair it is, being called names and stuff, due to it.

 

I have no respect for slime like you.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 16:53 | 5656971 Beowulf55
Beowulf55's picture

"slime like you?"  damn....and I had respect for your analysis of MH-370..........now you are sounding like that baby, Jim Willie.

Wed, 01/14/2015 - 00:35 | 5658699 Element
Element's picture

Act respectably as pre-req to get respected.

Act slimy, get taken to be slime.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 16:20 | 5656798 Anunnaki
Anunnaki's picture

You gonna trust the guy who promised us, "if you like your health plan you can keep your health plan". Emperor Obomber tends to do the opposite of what he says. If he is even the one calling the shots anymore.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 14:57 | 5656345 TheReplacement
TheReplacement's picture

NATO has a lot of advantages over Russia and would probably win a non-nuclear war.  Supposing high casualties, NATO has a much larger population and can replace losses that Russia simply cannot.

Add China and things change.

Add nukes and things change.

 

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 16:10 | 5656675 silvermail
silvermail's picture

When you talk about NATO losses in manpower, you do not take into account the most important factor: the sensitivity of the army and the society to losses.
Army NATO and Western entire Western world have a very high sensitivity to the loss of its soldiers and officers.
You can imagine the reaction of any NATO country, on the news of the loss of 30,000 soldiers?
You can imagine the reaction of the US society, on the news of the loss of one or two aircraft carriers with aircraft and crews?

All NATO forces - is not the army. This is a military police force. They are not able to conduct a real, long and bloody war with a powerful enemy like Russia.

Loss of more than 20% of staff are automatically converted any military unit of NATO, in a bunch of demoralized and unfit for action people who want only one thing - get back to his home immediately.

NATO simply does not have the people who are willing to die for some Ukraine. But in Russia, so many people are willing to die for the Russian Crimea, and any other every square meter of Russian land.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:33 | 5655797 JuliaS
JuliaS's picture

Remember the USS Donald Cook incident? Well, a month ago the ship returned practically to the spot where it was last paralyzed. Skeleton crew, upgraded defense measures. US was expecting another flyby to filed-test new countermeasures, but Russians so far have done absolutely nothing. US is still very curious about Russian electronic warfare capabilities and tries to provoke as many small incidents as possible.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 16:55 | 5656988 Beowulf55
Beowulf55's picture

interesting.........do you have a link on this?  I've been following the Donald Cook thing but did not know they sent it back into the Black Sea.

Wed, 01/14/2015 - 00:48 | 5658724 JuliaS
JuliaS's picture

I get my news from a Ukrainian neighbor who has family back home. They get the kind of local news we don't. There are daily updates on rail and air traffic, cargo drops, port arrivals and departures. In addition to conventional media there are guerilla radio stations that warn locals of possible strikes or guide saboteurs.

When I googled the news I got very little: http://news.usni.org/2014/12/29/u-s-destroyer-donald-cook-returns-black-sea

The full story is that the ship having suffered an electronic attack went over to Romania where over the course of half a year it underwent a crew rotation and electronic upgrades. Instead of conducting reconnaissance it now acts as a decoy, though repeated provocations have not yielded the kind of results US was hoping for.

Wed, 01/14/2015 - 04:44 | 5658785 Max Steel
Max Steel's picture

There aint any usnavy in black sea now . Moreover its silly to expect that they will come back after donald got repaired . aegis is a boondoggle . It ain't rocket science to jam it . Even i know how to disable it let alone russia  

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 12:57 | 5655627 pods
pods's picture

Gazprom should send a form letter to Kiev that they might need to drop supply due to preventative maintenence being performed.

pods

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:51 | 5655887 disabledvet
disabledvet's picture

And then Ukraine responds by blowing up all the pipelines.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:58 | 5655919 Latina Lover
Latina Lover's picture

Then Europe Freezes, and Putin makes his point that the Ukraine is an unreliable supplier, hence the need for southstream 2.0

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 12:58 | 5655629 44MagnumPrepper
44MagnumPrepper's picture

The general means "Nobody's paying attention to us anymore!! I want attention!!"  STOMP STOMP STOMP.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:10 | 5655634 ebworthen
ebworthen's picture

The neo-Nazi putsch can't manage the Western half, and are being bled by banksters while backstopped with U.S. and E.U. taxpayer money.

Russian Federation - help!

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:00 | 5655635 Abapom
Abapom's picture

It is always interesting to watch one guys
defending homeland with nowhere to go
and egoistic Imperia attack from all sides...

So many movies made about same thing...

this is soo bad on so many levels, i can see Poland making
first move and "accidentally" bombing Russian territory...

just so that NATOSorosBzezinsky can see where the line is...

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 12:59 | 5655636 Hamm Jamm
Hamm Jamm's picture

WAR WITH RUSSIA will save the ECONOMY ! 

another OIL WAR  will save the world

sign up and die to support the CENTRAL BANKS !

IT IS A DEATH BAILOUT OF BANKS

 

Die for the rich, its your duty !!!


 

 

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 14:01 | 5655943 Latina Lover
Latina Lover's picture

Good point.  The USSA couldn't give a rats ass about democracy in the Ukraine, it just needs to steal russian resources to keep the bankster ponzi debt scheme going a little bit longer...

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:00 | 5655638 Consuelo
Consuelo's picture

It seems as though Paul Craig Roberts' assertions regarding Ukraine/Russia and EU-as-vassal-state are being proven more correct as the days pass.   Likely more than outright conflict with Russia, is the EU coming to grips with their own foreign policy, vs. a dictated foreign policy via the State Department.  

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:00 | 5655642 Dr. Engali
Dr. Engali's picture

Fucking Russians! What we need is a few bases right up against their borders to contain them. If they don't like it we can just send them some humanitarian bombs, and liberate them American style. 

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:11 | 5655687 Latina Lover
Latina Lover's picture

And Russia can teach east coasters how to surf by nuking Cumbre Viejo:

http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-572259

 

In Russia, you do not surf waves, the waves surf you!

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:13 | 5655696 ebworthen
ebworthen's picture

+1 for the sarcasm with an exclamation point.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:05 | 5655651 FieldingMellish
FieldingMellish's picture

War in Ukraine? That should send oil down even further...

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:13 | 5655699 Latina Lover
Latina Lover's picture

At the current rate of price decrease,  in 2 months we will  heat our homes for free.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:07 | 5655656 Platypus
Platypus's picture

Oil will stay lower for at least one decade. Russia will bark  while the money lasts. Than they will print. Than inflation will take its tool on the people. Than people will start to revolt. Than Putin will be either killed or impeached.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:21 | 5655732 Latina Lover
Latina Lover's picture

Sure Oil will stay down for at least one decade, because you say so, LOL!

Meanwhile the fascist ukie government will be loooong gone,  flushed down into the toilet bowl of history.  Even if the Ukie government was stable, it would still fail since the american government has the attention span of a sugar fed 5 year old.

Tue, 01/13/2015 - 13:24 | 5655742 WTFUD
WTFUD's picture

PlatyPussy that kind of low level drivel is a big tell that you're a .gov stooge.

Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site!