This page has been archived and commenting is disabled.
Russia Escalates Military Posture: Deploys Strategic Bombers To Crimea, Launches Massive Drills Across Nation
All those who were wondering where Putin had "disappeared" to, and spreading rumors whether it was more likely his girlfriend had given birth in Switzerland or aliens had abducted him, will probably be satisfied if he were to promptly disappear once more following news that not only yesterday had he put 40,000 troops on full alert as part of "snap-readiness exercises", but less than 24 hours followed this up with even more demonstrative military "drills" after Sputnik reported that Russian strategic Tu-22M3 (Backfire) strike bombers have been deployed to the Crimean Peninsula to hold snap combat readiness drills, a source in the Russian Defense Ministry said Tuesday, in addition to further massive troops and equipment deployment tests in the western part of the nation as well as around the Arctic circle.
As a reminder, Crimea was recently in the news following a weekend report citing Putin that he was ready to use nukes to secure the recently repossessed peninsula. So one can perhaps look at this as de-escalation.
“During the snap combat readiness drills by the Armed Forces, strategic Tu-22M3s will be deployed to Crimea,” the source said.
Then, perhaps to counter the build of NATO troops in the Baltics, Russia also deployed fighters and bombers to the country’s western exclave of Kaliningrad for snap combat readiness exercises, a source in the Russian Defense Ministry said Tuesday.
“Fighter and bomber aviation is to be redeployed to the Kaliningrad Region, and ground troops on the Baltic will be reinforced with Iskander missile complexes in the Western Military District that will be delivered on large landing ships from the Baltic Fleet,” the source said.
On Monday, President Vladimir Putin gave the order to bring Russia's Northern Fleet, separate units of the Western Military District and the Airborne Troops to full alert in snap combat readiness exercises. The drills involve a total of 38,000 troops, 3,360 military vehicles, 110 aircraft and helicopters, 41 ships and 15 submarines.
Snap military exercises will be held in the sea, as well as on the ground and in the air until March 21. Their ultimate goal is to improve the military capabilities of the Russian Armed Forces, according to the Defense Ministry.
And then completing the trifecta, in addition to Crimea and Kaliningrad, as many as 30 army air force crews of Russia's Western Military District are being redeployed from airfields in the Leningrad and Smolensk regions to a military airfield near the Arctic Circle as part of surprise combat readiness drills being held in the Northern Fleet and the Western Military District, according to an Interfax report.
"Army air force crews, which make up routine squadrons, are being redeployed. During the flight, the crews are practicing their pilot skills flying in units and near ground level," the Russian Defense Ministry has reported.
As a further reminder, Russia has been particularly interested in weaponizing the Arctic in recent months, the location of countless energy deposits, announcing late in 2014 it would build 13 airfields and 10 radar stations to meet "unwelcome guests." This is just a preview
The crews operating Mil Mi-24 and Mi-8 helicopters will have to cover more than 1,500 kilometers with a refueling stopover in the Republic of Karelia.
"Upon arrival, the army air force crews from the Western Military Districts will join a simulated operation to drop a landing force at a military training range, as well as will practice providing support for the Land Forces from the air, will conduct an air strike simulation against ground targets using missile and ballistic weapons, and will take part in simulated search and rescue operations," the ministry said.
Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the Northern Fleet, Armed Forces units in the Western Military District and the Airborne Troops to conduct combat readiness exercises, involving 38,000 servicemen, 3,360 units of military hardware, 41 combat ships, 15 submarines, as well as 110 airplanes and helicopters.
As Sputnik adds, military transport aviation crews of the Russian Air Force were redeployed from the Pskov region to the Severny airfield in the city of Ivanovo for further moving of personnel and equipment to a northern airfield, the press office of the Defense Ministry said in a statement Tuesday.
"Military transport aviation crews will deliver paratroop units to a military airfield in Russia’s polar region under a snap combat readiness exercise. More than 10 Il-76 aircraft will be used for the redeployment. The aircraft will fly over 3,000 kilometers in 24 hours. The redeployment will take place in the daytime and in the nighttime," according to the statement.
According to the Defense Ministry, the exercises will continue until March 21
Many more are coming: the Russian Defense Ministry announced in December 2014 it planned to hold at least 4,000 military drills across the country in 2015.
And with the US now deploying tanks, armors and various other vehicles literally just across the Russian western border and soon, the Arctic as well, the possibility of an unexpected and unwelcome escalation in hostilities rises with every new military drill.
»
- 42289 reads
- Printer-friendly version
- Send to friend
- advertisements -
America, Land of the Fetid...
More like fetted would appear.
"At dawn they sought accupuncture. And then a yoga session. Followed by a fruit smoothie from sohibani's."
These are just conventional forces. Russia is prepared to launch nukes over the loss of Ukraine?
To date the loss has been purely financial.
This sounds like an irrational being is in charge here.
Maybe the President should say something?
Where is the President anyways?
Ukraine is about resources not paper promises.
Significant natural resources in Ukraine include: iron ore, coal, manganese, natural gas, oil, salt, sulfur, graphite, titanium, magnesium, kaolin, nickel, mercury, timber, and arable land.
There has to be many other reasons, pipelines, etc etc etc. Russia is huge, I can't imagine them not having all of that? As far as the US they also have multiple interests. Natural resources are just one of them. It's easier for the US to plunder another country and turn it into one big strip mine than it is here at home.
Hiding under the bed with Reggie and his stuffed animals.
Would you? I means, Would you wage nuclear war over Cuba? Was getting close in countries like Vietnam and Laos - various propositions to use tactical weapons there to negate the enemy use of areas for logistics since conventional weapons didn't do the trick.
Also, important to take into account this is not about Ukraine really. For Russia it probably is (barrier against the west and all), but for US it most likely is the fact hey are broke and need a big fight to get regulations, investments, default, martial law etc in effect. Also, the end of the PetroDollar and the cosy relations between CHina and Russia are probably the main factor from a US perspective.
Finally, escalation from conventional to nuclear can be rapid. Incident of some sorts --> conventional troops activated --> go nuclear before "they" do... Something like that.
Like I said, hiding under the bed with Reggie.
Mr Putin, please send some troops to Mexico and crush the evil drug cartels.
Mexico drug cartel - it's a cia devision
Funny how people can talk one day and don't have a problem bombing them the next. Sounds kind of sinister.
I always thought that too. Kinda like fighters holding press confrences together before they beat the shit out of each other.
We'll Checkmate those Russians with ICBMs!
Death to all Commies, let Allah sort them out.
Putin knows what's at stake here. He is protecting his underdog country ffrom US expansionism and intimidation. He'll have nothing of it. Good for him and Russia. The US has no business in Ukraine or nearby countries. We should not have forced/pushed NATO on all those old soviet countries.
Good point with one correction: "WE" is in this case US goverment staff with lots of eastern european roots (most famously Albright). Apparently some old score to settle....
Funny thing I remember from 1995-1996 period. I was a guest at SHAPE (NATO Brussels) for a couple of days talking and listening to some of the people there. Without exception: "we do not understand the push to include the eastern countries. there is no added value at all in having them, we have enough issues ranging from politics to logistics as it is. Everything ranging from weapons to communications and command conflict with ours." Those were of course all army guys, no government idiots.
NATO is a voluntary organization. Countries asked to join. While the Puutie Paid Puppies claim that being ruled by a tolitarian Russian is the "next great thing", the people in those countries have little interest in returning to that master.
Stop Making Shit Up
I agree. What makes me laugh bitterly about all of this are the pro-war-Russophobic trolls who are desperate to convince me and all of us that Russian nuclear missiles, which we were told to be scared to death of in 1983, suddenly talk of the survivability of a limited nuclear exchange with Russia in 2015.
All of this because somebody didn't bitch-slap Victoria Nutland when it would have done some good.
I think she is more of a Strap-on kinda girl
Bitch-slap or a good swift kick to the cunt with Barry's favorite golf shoes.
Can you say, "wounded bear?"
obuma's war machine: like a v8 motor, with broken wires and missing spark plugs..sputters and shakes and smokes ..heck if .gov can't get big demonstrations demanding we bomb ISIS how can they beat the drums of war in ukraine?? propaganda fail- quick call dick cheney he will rile up the red neck base..idiots in change. no make that evil fucking NWO idiots.
Maybe that's what the "Net Neutered" program is for.
The most transparent administration in history? White House office to delete its FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) regulations
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2015/03/16/white-house-foia-...
Dear Europe:
We, the US, fell for Hope and Change. We got Hoax and Chains. The Bath House has turned into a tyrant, reading increasingly dictatorial stuff off his teleprompter someone else wrote for him. He is a stooge. A willing stooge, but still a stooge.
He has crushed our Constitution and is out of control. You guys need to hang together, or you will hang separately.
Roll your own, Europe, tell the Bath House to piss off and make up with Russia before the Red Army overruns your defenses.
--Silence Dogood.
I hope this news won't prevent the Joint Chiefs from getting their Irish on today.
No indeed. They plan to toast Bibi's removal from power in the Israeli election.
i think this summer air will be hot in kiev, something like 3000° kelvin
Some fun questions for the New Year!
Russia’s Vladimir Putin refers to himself as “Russia’s humble public servant.” This humble public servant’s net worth is:
a) Negligible – after all, he’s merely a humble public servant;
b) On a par with that of Russia’s oligarchs, who often are required to get clearance for important transactions from Mr. Putin himself;
c) Greater than that of most oligarchs, since approval by Mr. Putin for large transactions is a given, and naturally, “palms will need to be greased”; or
d) Quite modest, Mr. Putin preferring to be paid in bottles of Baltika No. 3.
For those that answered (b) or (c), a follow-up question:
Mr. Putin’s extraordinary wealth is the result of:
a) Blatant corruption and quid pro quo deal-making;
b) Skimming from the Russian treasury;
c) A night job working on the KaMAZ truck assembly line; or
d) Generous donations via Western Union from loyal Zero Hedgers.
That wasn't funny the first hundred times.
Don't raise questions about the source of funding for the Puutie Paid Puppy propaganda machine operating on ZH.
But the ussa insider trading by Conn-gress is all okay,,, right. Putin just initiated another 10% pay cut for himself and many gov workers. Now it may not hurt him that much, but when is the last time anyone has seen the u.s. conn-gress or that ridiculous Potus do any such thing. Insider trading is 'legal' for them, and they got their own health care,,, 100% of everything. This same shit goes for most all western fascist states.
How about putting some sources for your allegations. Bet it would be humorous.
and your worried about Putin's propaganda machine while you actively participate in Merika's propaganda machine.
Visiting that CIA website again? or is this echelon?
VV Putin was never about money
iofera
Did you know that you out-Viedoklis Viedoklis? Well, you do.
Potato for your thoughts. Your real thoughts
Barry's Victoria Nuke-land will stand up to Putin.
Maybe both sides are just protecting their half of the bounty? If Crimea is now Russia, it would only make sense to have millitary there. Esp since it's right next to what is now an extension of Mordor.
Russia has become so fragile that the Russian elite needs military posturing or even a war to keep the country together ?
EU should urgently sit down with Putin and work out trade deals, even economic and technical assistance, in a way that allows him to save face.
pirate, you seem to be under the illusion that the elite are working towards world peace and prosperity and freedom..the EU is death come to breakfast.
not necessarily, but maybe I am
Fragile how? Please elaborate. Most stable since the 1960's (sure with some strong coersion from up top, but some countries work that way). Economically rather strong with around 20-30% government debt (depending sources). Stable population growth, minor religions/ethnic issues (compared to China or India for instance). Perfect? No, but I really do not see a much more serious or imminent danger to the country than coming from abroad (US and it's lapdog EU).
Feels very much like MSM arguments your're spreading. Perhaps I'm wrong, but please elaborate with more than "putin is crazy' kind of argument.
Thanks for your post. You interpreted my post as an attack on Russia, while I was reaching a hand. Says a lot about your mindset.
"Fragile how? Please elaborate"
Have a look at the oil price and the value of the Ruble.
"with around 20-30% government debt"
yes, their you have a point, I thought the debt was even lower than you mention.
"sure with some strong coersion from up top, but some countries work that way"
It sure works for Putin and his 110 billionaires. I suppose we can pitty the poor Russians.
"Stable population growth"
Any statistical source to back that up ? You mean stable negative growth perhaps ?
"please elaborate with more than "putin is crazy' kind of argument. "
don't put words in my mouth, I never called Putin crazy.
.
...and? Never thought about any positive consequences, have you?
Russia becoming a major carbon fiber manufacturer
Major clothing manufacturers are starting to move orders from Chinese to Russian factories
Why pity the Russians? Their future looks quite hopeful.
Russia’s Remarkable Renaissance
Made me laugh with vigor.
Russia Demographics Are Now Reasonably Healthy, Birth Rate the Highest in Europe
'Dying Russia' Has Healthiest Demographics in the Region
How do you like them apples? (...and not the apples from Poland, courtesy of good old Uncle Sam)
Unfortunately you have the situation in reverse. It's the EU that needs Russia. Since the sanctions their economies have crashed.
Twenty years ago I was telling colleagues that in the next twenty years, give or take, there would be a world war. And I was told that I was nuts, which is true btw, but not relevant... that war was unthinkable. And I explained to them that while they said that then, there would come a day when they would discover that war was thinkable.
War is always unthinkable until it is not.
All of my life I have witnessed the masses go from one radically different group thought to another never seeming to realize where they came from or where they were heading next. Much of my life I found this very unsettling... the more so as that same latent unreasoning lies within me and must be battled daily.
Yes, I used to find it very unsettling... but mostly, now, I think I am just tired...
Dear Vlad:
If it comes time to fight, please do not target US People. We are prisoners of The Bath House. Yes, we got slack.
However, if you must attack, please hit the HQ of the criminals and oligarchs. That would spare many US citizens who wish to be at peace with Russia. You helped us during our civil war. We sent material to you during WW2. Our nations are better suited to trade with each other than fighting.
Thanks.
If Putin wants to get the attention of the Zionist-neocons that have hijacked the US government, he needs to tell them that when the nuclear warheads fly the first one will land on their precious Israel. With Zionist-neocons, the only thing they respect is raw power. You really have to rub their nose it to get their attention!
What a proud country is Russia. She rattles her sword while her people starve.
Have you counted the 44 million on food stamps in the US? 92 million out of the workforce since 2008?
While I agree the US economy is miserable,
Those food stamp numbers show that there is not US starvation.
Within Russia the situation is quite different. Got turnip?
Where did you get your stats,,, CIA website?
his ass.
H1B's baby! Best friend of the corporate fascists!
92 million not in the work force,,, 60 million on food stamps,,, no decent jobs,,, gov takeover of the health care, internet, schools, churches, private property, freedom of speech gone, illegal search an seizure everywhere, police on citizen killing sprees, robbing them of their money and possessions on the road and at home, military bases and wars all over the planet, and on and on
America, land of the free and home of the brave..... rigghhht.
You know nothing about Russia.
Just like the U.S. with it's banker control. Get back to FOX News.
And there's a chicken in every pot in the US of A.
FOOL
Wise move Mr Putin.
USA policy is first strike.
Includes first strike nuclear attack.
With its trail of millions dead and countries devasted who knows who the USA and its madmen will strike next.
But this time Russia can and will strike back and most of us hope - blo*dy hard.,
But this time Russia can and will strike back and most o.f us hope - blo*dy hard.,
FOOL
You are the fool. You and the others pushing this narrative of Russia=evil are leading us headlong into a nuclear exchange. We have no biz there and seeing these comments just adds creedence to the fact the world is getting sick of America's shit. You will see many countries pile onto hitting us when we are looking elsewhere if this goes hot. being anti-war does not mean I am anti-America. The trajectory of this country is frightening because Neocon wolves are at the healm.
That is one of the biggest beefs I have with the current administration. They kept the neocons from the previous administration. Four terms of idiocy that could have us all glowing in the dark.
Maybe the neocons are running the show and not the hypocrites on the ballot.
Gorbachev has warned that tensions in the area could lead to war, including nuclear war. Someone better heed his admonition before it's too late.
http://www.globaldeflationnews.com/gorbachev-warns-of-major-war-even-nuc...
Sitting here in South Florida I watched train load after train load of tanks and equipment shipped in during the Cuban missile crisis. Now I am seeing the same thing. What are troops and tanks going to do in a nuclear war? Any concentration of forces will be incinerated.
One miscalculation and nobody can handle this. This is not the 1940’s where half the population lives on the farm. Turn the lights out in Western Europe and the U.S. and it is over.
We run a real risk that the people we hired to manage the risk blow this thing up. They may think that they are safe in their bunkers but when the supplies run out the chamber maids will murder them in their sleep.
That armament is going to be used on you, in Florida, silly.
Got green tip? Goes right thru blue helmets!
*****
"LC, great trophy there. German?"
"Belgian, I think. Took him at 300 yds with a .270."
"Kinda scary the way the eyes follow you around."
"yeah."
So one can perhaps look at this as de-escalation?...
But only if you are are a raving fucking mad Anglo-American lunatic who is not only ripe to lose his shirt and go permanently bankrupt but will also get his ass kicked in that "de-escalation"process of things!...
Game over man!... Game over!!!!
P.S.
Fuck the green beer tonight. With news like this give me a bottle of "green" John Jameson with one glass!
Welcome, anti-Americans!
America gives you freedom and a measure of prosperity and you return the favor by egging on the little neo-Stalin and providing material support through Western Union.
Welcome, anti-Americans!
America gives you freedom and a measure of prosperity and you return the favor by egging on the little neo-Stalin and providing material support through Western Union.
/sarc
fixed it for ya.
We are anti-war you fucking loser. If Putin were Stalin, there would be gulags and millions dying. You cannot even provide photographic proof of any invasion, let alone other horseshit about genocide. Tell your boss he needs new trolls to infect the various sites you and the other pathetic excuses of propaganda bandy about. Quit bitching here and get your faggot ass out to the front lines and fight!...Or are you just a bitchass?
You are a surrender monkey paid to be a Puutie Propagandist.
Puutie has some gear to use on your faggot ass. If you say please in the proper tone, he may give you a double dose.
I AM A FUCKING FATHER WITH CHILDREN. I CARE FOR THEIR WELFARE AND YOU FUCKERS PUSHING US INTO WAR VIA YOUR PATHETIC PROPAGANDA PISSES ME OFF. FUCK PUTIN. HE IS JUST ANOTHER OLIGARCH. NOT GETTING SHIT ON BY NUKES IS MY ONLY CONCERN YOU FUCKING DOLT.
Deep breath,,, deeeep breath. Your probably talking to a machine.
lulz.....probably
I couldn't up-vote by +1000, sorry. OK if we use your words on a bumper sticker?
If the nukes fly and I survive, I am going on the mother of all hunting sprees. Anything within a whiff of banker or government gets field dressed.
You're either a retarded redneck or a rabid Yid...
In either case time to get shit faced this evening regardless of your persuasion cause we are the best at fucking everything up!
Slainte!!!
Oh yea,,, freedom and prosperity everywhere I look....
There certainly is no puppet like AmeriKan excuse puppet.
The war machine is constantly on the look out for fresh people to kill, why make excuses for the League Leaders in murder and mayhem across the globe since 2001? They have enough highly paid mouthpieces in the supposed "free media" (actually USSA press freedom is down to 46 now?) to do that for them. Why be a smug and unpaid shill for war against anyone the media commands?
America gave me freedom? Men are born free. America gave me prosperity? I earned my prosperity.
I was driving through Delaware late one night many years ago and I saw a big sign in a field "In the event of nuclear attack, the ban on school prayer will be lifted." At the time, I just saw it as somewhat amusing.
"In the event of nuclear attack, the ban on school prayer will be lifted."
Yes m it's too amazing for words what we are now witnessing our government attempting to try.
For those of us old enough to remember what the consequences of this kind of warfare might "bring" that sign was made in a time when we still had some semblance of our sanity left.
Now?...
We simply are too fucking delusional and selfish not to attempt the worst outcome imaginable!
My adivce? Drink heavily!!!
"My adivce? Drink heavily!!!"
Damn, somehow I've been taking your advice for years!"
Actually, I think that the US WOULD defeat Russia in a nuclear bout, and that the Russian leadership is well aware of that. I strongly suspect that all of Russia's nuclear missiles are aimed at European capitals. (As are all of Israel's, by the way.) America is prepared to fight to the last European.
"I think that the US WOULD defeat Russia in a nuclear bout"
Tthat's crazy neocon talk. Fallout blows...everywhere. Welcome to Mad Max times!
Its not even Mad Max, its fields of ruins covered in strontium-laced grey snow for a hundred of years.Its death on a hitherto unknown scale.
Check what's going on near Chernobyl almost 30 years later.
Russia's military budget is a tiny fraction of Washington's.
Not only would Russia lose a genuine military conflict with America, but it would lose badly.
Only the Lee Harvey Oswalds on here don't understand that.
War with Russia is stupid, dangerous and unpredictable. Only an asshole or troll would pimp for it, and no doubt expect others to fight and die in it.
your ignorant trolling has not chance of success here
you know nothing about these subjects
He's in good company there.
Funny.....seems very similar thoughts were posited by the likes of Napoloen and Hitler. If you're still of the opinion Russians are pussies, by all means head down to your local recruiter and sign the dotted line for front line infantry. Also funny you roped Lee harvey Oswald into this.....as if somehow that makes your argument stronger. LOL
Nam? spent more than 10x enemy
multiples of 10x actually search air losses vietnam...
kinda lost that "genuine military conflict"
if you don't know what you're talking about, just shut up...
Putin is a badass, don't fuck with the Bear!
http://www.businessinsider.com/18-photos-that-show-vladimir-putin-doesnt...
Oh, now don't start those bear chested photo's.
The girls and various guys are getting all worked up here.
No, he's just an ass.
Answer to above question.
"Why are they moving tanks and troops around during a possible nuclear war?"
For crowd control in major cities.
Heh. What is Putin's intelligence people telling him that has instigated this very expensive exercise at a time when Russia would much rather be focusing on improving its domestic infrastructure?
The bad news is hundreds of thousands of americans will die defending europe. The good news is news this bad should pop the S&P to 3000.
ITS THE NAZIS
Why put so many Russians on the Crimea Penninsula? That would be tactically reckless if this were to turn into a land grabbing shooting war.
You know if I were Putin I'd get a thousand aircraft and do a full simulated bombing run of the United States. Fly them all right up to US airspace and then turn around and go home. Americans would weep with impotent rage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJCaFe1yamg
terribly off topic....in so many ways
try Russian:
"Fight Club" Louna
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sdPd7tdTh0
Putin is just pounding his chest to let people know he is back. Perhaps some event happened in Russia that made him disappear out of the limelight to settle some things. And now he is letting everybody know -home and abroad- that he is still top monkey in Russia.
Russia is not the one with monkeys
Putin is looking very well for a man that died last week
It is just a metaphore. He wants to show he is firmly in charge.
He only died in the newsroom of the London Telegraph, a newspaper that must have the last word even at the cost of their reputation.
When the editor-in-chief thought Putin was really dead, he had the tea trolley serve Spotted Dick to celebrate.
Russia is a warmongering trouble-maker and needs to be squelched.
Nobody on here on ZH is stopping you from doing something about it. You'd be the shortest time member of ZH though. Only 5 weeks.
Go strap on your helmut and squelch them dickweed.
You need to join the Ukrainian military. That would mean one less person the Ukrainians would have to "enlist" by conscription.
you're pretty much a neuter here,
just go away
Interesting aside, some members of Ukrainian parliament do not seem to happy with their current leadership...
http://thesaker.is/mozgovoy-we-received-calls-from-ukr-parliament-asking...
So who is Mozgovoy?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleksey_Mozgovoy
Prizrak Brigade (Russian: ??????? «???????», meaning "Ghost Brigade") - Commanded by Aleksey Mozgovoy.[102] Formed in Luhansk in April 2014 and firstly was a platoon. But then increased to a battalion and a brigade. At the end of August it had 1,000 fighters.[103]By the end of December, Alexsey Mozgovoy claimed to have up to 3,000 men.[104]
This is a must watch! Thanks to the Saker.
Nemtsov Maidan Failed. Evgeny Fedorovhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4kK-xQqEW8&t=754
Don't you just want to tear the hearts out of the hypocrites who spend all their time criticizing others for doing what they have done, are doing, and will continue to do forevermore?
This is all about defending the Transdniestria peacekeepers. The last supply route by air will be cut and Russia will have to take an action. Remember Ukranian S-300 near Odessa some time ago. A big war is coming. This is already inevitable. April, maybe May.
Paul Craig Roberts.
A good read.
Seems he agrees with most of us and puts it succinctly.
Quote
The crazed American and British neocon nazis, and their dupes among the populations, comprise the greatest human threat that the world has ever known. The sooner the Evil Empire collapses, the safer the world will be.
http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2015/03/17/cracks-washingtons-empire-pau...