Comments on: Red Bear Rising: Russia’s Resource Based Geopolitical Strategy

By: Jason, Bondi

Jason, Bondi — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 10:23:21 +0000

Russia "The Childless Empire" where-the-death-rate-is-higher-than-the-birthrate, will be a temporary "empire". Imagine it in the year 2030. The all conquering Russian Army charging accross the rest of the world, ruling Europe with an iron fist. I can see it now...General Oldinov waving a laser sword in one hand and a walking stick in the other as he orders his (old) men "over the top" for (grand)Mother Russia. The troops of the Russian Army in 2030 take two hours to clear the trenches amonst moans of "My arthritis is so bad I can't hold my gun" and "Oops, my chlostomy bag just fell out." No offense but Russia has some SERIOUS DEMOGRAPHIC PROBLEMS it needs to urgently attend to, as does America and its allies. Even now as they fight the Georgians over control of "Elektra King's" pipeline, they are tossing away there shrinking youth. More like the "Rise of the OLD Bear". (Although I must admit, this current plot by "Mad Vlad" reminds me of a James Bond film).

By: Ross

Ross — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 08:56:10 +0000

What did Condi and Stephen Smith talk about in Perth? Was it Rudd doing his mission to South Korea or was it Ossetia? We put some signaler trainers into Pakistan but that wouldn't rate would it? At least it wasn't Iran .... but in any case being a mate of the US is getting to be a total drag. Too many guns and not enough dollars is a dangerous cocktail. All we need is McCain's temper and down hole festered hatred of the Russians .. but the alternative is an Obama that looks less predictable and equally reactionary. I'd rather Australia be talking about new alliances and friendly rivalry with the likes of Brazil that have no army. And putting Worley Parsons into the field in all the places the US has alienated. But if the Americans can't afford to compete to buy it on the open market they show every sign of using surrogate crims to annex anything that makes it onto Cheney's mates pinboard ... You wouldn't sit in Cuba near a sugar farm for quids these days.

By: Coffee Addict

Coffee Addict — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 06:36:48 +0000

The market may be underestimating the significance of the Georgian/Russian conflict and the spill over effect this conflict will have on Middle East politics.

Key issues include the apparent (or alleged) participation of US advisors in the attack by Georgian troops on Tskhinvali, the direct targeting of the Russian battalion there, the deaths of 1600 ethnically Russian civilians in this raid, the alleged provision of 11 tonnes of materiel by the US to the Georgians and the chastisement of Putin by Bush in Beijing.

I am not taking sides and I don’t know anything about the provocation. I have however observed how Putin thinks, works and reacts. He will be livid and he will want the Georgians and their allies smashed.

Unless Medvedev can hold it all (and Putin) together I will expect to see a major blitzkreig style of offensive that will go all the way to the site of a levelled Presidential Palace in Tbilisi. Current actions by the Russian 58th Army is only the beginning.