Hello #MER,
It's been some time since we did regular posts, we appreciate the off line discussion. As 2012 approaches, we are gearing up for just that, weekly then more frequesnt postings of our discussions.
We have decided to aggregate #MER links and focus on the Syrian question via the MER blog. We will focus with a watchful eye on Israel, Syria, and the relations between them and in the larger Middle East theater including the resurgent Arab League and Turkey.
We welcome all web feedback but reserve the right to edit. Please respect the rights of others to speak freely. We are here to help solve problems, not add to them.
Regards,
Editors
Showing posts with label Russia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Russia. Show all posts
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Thursday, August 14, 2008
War in Georgia grinding down. Let the real battle begin.
POST: notes-updated 082208
Now that it appears that Russia is pulling out from Georgia, it has stood firm on relinquishing it's hold on the new countries of Abkhazia and S.Ossessia. Maybe these people do want to leave from Georgia. Certainly recent history shows a lot of tension. So what happens?
Negotiations with Iran and the IAEA and a recent Military agreement with Venezuela's Hugo Chavez. It appears like the Russians are attempting to change the balance of power.
Does this look like an opening salvo to peace negotiations or possibly a foreshadowing of a new wider, deadlier, conflict with 2 super powers at the helm (again)? Has it already widened to far?
Where does (D) Barack Obama and (R) John McCain stand on this issue? Why are they not pursuing this as a major issue in their campaign? While the US wallows in economic brinksmanship, the Middle east heats up.
Russia has opened up a sustained and blanket all out propaganda campaign utilizing Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, President Dmitriy Medvedev, and Senior Russian military commanders. This is an orchestrated event. They are confident that nothing can come of this.
Russia has very publicly firmed up it's stance on where it wants to be perceived on the world military stage. Russia underlined its right to a “preventive” nuclear strike this week. They have signed on to the Bush Doctrine.
reference:
Russia: Choose us or choose Georgia.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/08/13/us.russia.diplomacy/index.html
Top Brass Defends Russia’s Right to Preemptive Strike
http://www.infowars.com/?p=3955
Anna Arutunyan
Moscow News
August 13. 2008
pending 082108 ...
Now that it appears that Russia is pulling out from Georgia, it has stood firm on relinquishing it's hold on the new countries of Abkhazia and S.Ossessia. Maybe these people do want to leave from Georgia. Certainly recent history shows a lot of tension. So what happens?
Negotiations with Iran and the IAEA and a recent Military agreement with Venezuela's Hugo Chavez. It appears like the Russians are attempting to change the balance of power.
Does this look like an opening salvo to peace negotiations or possibly a foreshadowing of a new wider, deadlier, conflict with 2 super powers at the helm (again)? Has it already widened to far?
Where does (D) Barack Obama and (R) John McCain stand on this issue? Why are they not pursuing this as a major issue in their campaign? While the US wallows in economic brinksmanship, the Middle east heats up.
Russia has opened up a sustained and blanket all out propaganda campaign utilizing Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, President Dmitriy Medvedev, and Senior Russian military commanders. This is an orchestrated event. They are confident that nothing can come of this.
Russia has very publicly firmed up it's stance on where it wants to be perceived on the world military stage. Russia underlined its right to a “preventive” nuclear strike this week. They have signed on to the Bush Doctrine.
reference:
Russia: Choose us or choose Georgia.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/08/13/us.russia.diplomacy/index.html
Top Brass Defends Russia’s Right to Preemptive Strike
http://www.infowars.com/?p=3955
Anna Arutunyan
Moscow News
August 13. 2008
pending 082108 ...
Friday, August 8, 2008
POST: Campaign 2008.
Russia military action in S. Ossetia and Georgia - UPDATE: 081508
Subject:
Measuring response from the Barack Obama Presidential campaign as it relates to US / Russian Policy.
In response to the following statement:
(posted at: http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/08/13/candidates.georgia/index.html#cnnSTCText)
"We cannot shoot from the hip," Susan Rice, Obama's senior foreign policy adviser told MSNBC on Tuesday. "We cannot act on the basis of ideology or preconceived notions. When this crisis began, Sen. Barack Obama, the administration ... and all of our NATO allies took a measured and reasoned approach because we were dealing with the facts as we knew them."
Analysis:
The only thing that can be verified here is that Sen. Obama oddly agrees with George Bush on a foreign policy matter (note: Using NATO as cover). Otherwise, this is not true and shows a lack of understanding, on the spot, of a potentially far reaching crisis. (note: campaign shift response.)
(note: The US has been mediating between the countries for the past 2 years. The Israelie (Private Contractor) Military advisor's were ordered to leave the country in April of 2008. These advisor's have been quoted in the popular press saying that the Georgians they encountered expected this current action.
(note: *** Sen. John McCain)
ongoing...
also see:
U.S.: Tracking Russia-Georgia war frustrating
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26193454/
White House concedes understanding of crisis hindered by lack of resources
Measuring response from the Barack Obama Presidential campaign as it relates to US / Russian Policy.
In response to the following statement:
(posted at: http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/08/13/candidates.georgia/index.html#cnnSTCText)
"We cannot shoot from the hip," Susan Rice, Obama's senior foreign policy adviser told MSNBC on Tuesday. "We cannot act on the basis of ideology or preconceived notions. When this crisis began, Sen. Barack Obama, the administration ... and all of our NATO allies took a measured and reasoned approach because we were dealing with the facts as we knew them."
Analysis:
The only thing that can be verified here is that Sen. Obama oddly agrees with George Bush on a foreign policy matter (note: Using NATO as cover). Otherwise, this is not true and shows a lack of understanding, on the spot, of a potentially far reaching crisis. (note: campaign shift response.)
(note: The US has been mediating between the countries for the past 2 years. The Israelie (Private Contractor) Military advisor's were ordered to leave the country in April of 2008. These advisor's have been quoted in the popular press saying that the Georgians they encountered expected this current action.
(note: *** Sen. John McCain)
ongoing...
also see:
U.S.: Tracking Russia-Georgia war frustrating
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26193454/
White House concedes understanding of crisis hindered by lack of resources
Sunday, August 12, 2007
On the Road to Nowhere ... Is No Where Home?
We keep reading the repeated references to Rice and Gate's failed Middle East diplomacy (touting the Saudi's comments that they "might" attend a regional conference) in the World Press and reports from diplomatic circles that everybody (friends, foes, and Jihadists alike) are now waiting out the Bush administration. They should... It makes good diplomatic sense.
Hearing the rhetoric from the Democratic campaign trails makes it clear. The next US administration appears willing to talk to Iran, Hamas, Sunni Extremists, etc. and negotiate from a more "Peace oriented" POV. Nobody wants to be in Iraq, nobody wants to fight anymore. The Jihadists know this and are excited by the prospects.
Will the american citizen be safer? No way. We lost the war. Let the victor's write the history.
Hearing the rhetoric from the Democratic campaign trails makes it clear. The next US administration appears willing to talk to Iran, Hamas, Sunni Extremists, etc. and negotiate from a more "Peace oriented" POV. Nobody wants to be in Iraq, nobody wants to fight anymore. The Jihadists know this and are excited by the prospects.
Will the american citizen be safer? No way. We lost the war. Let the victor's write the history.
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Hamas invited to Russia for talks ... More Propaganda or has Putin changed his mind?
Well it had to happen ...
As reported by ... Avi Issacharoff, Haaretz Correspondent and Haaretz Service
"Hamas lawmaker Halil al-Haya on Thursday claimed, however, that Russia had invited officials from the Islamic group to visit Moscow for talks.
Al-Haya told a Hamas-affiliated Palestinian magazine that the Russian government had officially invited a Hamas delegation, headed by Damascus-based Hamas political leader Khaled Meshal, to Moscow. Al-Haya would not specify the date, but said the visit would be in the coming days."
With Damascus based Khaled Meshal invited it appears that a statement will come out of such talks with clarification as to the new status. It appears certain that Hamas has requested such a meeting.
What do they hope to gain?
As reported by ... Avi Issacharoff, Haaretz Correspondent and Haaretz Service
"Hamas lawmaker Halil al-Haya on Thursday claimed, however, that Russia had invited officials from the Islamic group to visit Moscow for talks.
Al-Haya told a Hamas-affiliated Palestinian magazine that the Russian government had officially invited a Hamas delegation, headed by Damascus-based Hamas political leader Khaled Meshal, to Moscow. Al-Haya would not specify the date, but said the visit would be in the coming days."
With Damascus based Khaled Meshal invited it appears that a statement will come out of such talks with clarification as to the new status. It appears certain that Hamas has requested such a meeting.
What do they hope to gain?
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Putin Stabs Hamas in the back, downgrades ties.
We have seen such Global posturing (to the West) in the past, will it last?
Russian President Vladimir Putin told visiting Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas that "he is the legitimate leader of all Palestinians," Russian news agencies reported. What made the difference? Why make such a statement now?
Recently, Vladimir Putin has also sided with the West in speaking out against Iran's Nuclear ambitions (as part of the Security Council). Why?
What are the ambitions of Russia? They appear to be playing "all sides" and have little taste for being part of any team.
Can the world leave Russia unchecked in the Middle East?
Russian President Vladimir Putin told visiting Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas that "he is the legitimate leader of all Palestinians," Russian news agencies reported. What made the difference? Why make such a statement now?
Recently, Vladimir Putin has also sided with the West in speaking out against Iran's Nuclear ambitions (as part of the Security Council). Why?
What are the ambitions of Russia? They appear to be playing "all sides" and have little taste for being part of any team.
Can the world leave Russia unchecked in the Middle East?
Friday, July 27, 2007
Olmert Seeks Direct Talks With Syria
Is Syrian President Basher Assad playing the field or playing for time? Is he fighting for legitimacy? What was discussed with Syria during the recent meeting with Iran's President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and the unexpected visit by Hassan Nasrallah, the secretary general of Hezbollah? Lure Israel into a trap by suggesting peace? Or were they all scared by Syria's public peace overtures? The arms smuggling via Syria is a fact known by the UNIFIL (UN) forces, yet little can be (is) done with this knowledge. Recently, Russia has committed to selling 250 Long Range bombers to Iran. Why do they need so many Long Range bombers?
It appears Hafez al-Assad and Ehud Barak had many particular details pinned down (agreed) in 2001 for the illusive withdraw (peace). Or did they? What are the issues now?
Recently, "...Assad said he would be willing to send someone to the country, but would not hold direct talks with Israelis."
How does one make peace with some one who will not talk to you?
------------------------------
Olmert Seeks Direct Talks With Syrias
http://www.townhall.com/news/world/2007/07/21/olmert_seeks_direct_talks_with_syrias
Barak Interview:
href="http://www.nybooks.com/articles/15501
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