Russia-US relations

[mendeleyev]

If Putins' mitts are on this Syria attack, he is done. 

(sigh) LT, you are a smart guy sometimes but the blinders are still on my friend.

Fact: Today (Wednesday) was the day, after months of negotiations and preparations, that UN biological weapons inspectors were allowed to enter Syria.

Fact: Today, it bears repeating, not yesterday and not tomorrow but TODAY was the day when UN inspectors entered Syria.

Do you really think that President Assad would do something so stupid on the very day that UN biological weapons inspectors were entering Syria?

Now, just for fun, what do you think are the chances that Russian President Putin went around President Assad and had his guys use chemical weapons on the very day that UN biological weapons inspectors entered Syria?

Here is a titillating idea: Is there any chance at that you might be willing to consider that perhaps the Islamic rebels, who have connections with the devil himself, those brain dead idiots who blow themselves up around innocent folk and children, might have had something to do with the attack?

Being that both Assad and the rebels knew about the arrival of weapons inspectors, who would you most likely look at first were you a detective assigned to find out whodunnit?

[lordtiberius]

the only way out od this for Asad and Vlad is if this is an Obama trick, which given his past behavior, we cant rule out.

but hey, we got the inspectors now bc they worked so well in Iran I mean Iraq

[mendeleyev]

I cannot vouch for the UN inspectors.

I can say that common sense dictates that FIRST they'd look at who had the most to gain by using gas on the very day that UN inspectors arrived.

Newsflash: it wouldn't be Assad.

Nor would it be Putin. His style is to hold his powder dry, in reserve, and then come in as the deal maker when other parties are checkmated. That is how he thinks in a situation like this.

[Voyager36]

Some have difficulty understanding why Vladimir Putin seems to believe that the USA is plotting to overthrow his regime.

Because for many years that was the policy? 
 
 

]A Russian made submarine purchased by India sunk in the harbor.

Or perhaps it could be the incompetent operation by the recipient?

[Voyager36]

?

Talk about old news and not seeing the world in a Cold War mentality, if these crisises have born anything out, it is how weak Russia and China are at projecting power geopolitically.

And the attempts by the USA to project power have been more successful?
How about the  wars have been fought by Western Powers in the last 50 years?
Vietnam War
Falkland War
Desert Storm (Iraq War I)
Taliban War (Afganistan)
Iraqi Freedom (Iraq War II)
"Arab Spring" - overthrow of  dictators in Egypt etc.
In every case where the US has tried to "project power" and bring freedom & democracy, (except Desert Storm & the Falklands war, which did not attempt this) has ended up in some degree of failure.
Iraq and Afganistan are still basket cases a decade later. and it remains to be seen if the present governments can survive without US money & forces propping them up.
The overthrow of a dictator (Mubarak) with democracy  quickly brought about an islamist government, and the country is now spiraling into chaos.
Rather than failing to "project power" in the Arab/Islamic world, it looks more like Russia is wisely deciding not to dive into this swamp.
 
 

Sure Putin can invade and occuph regions along his border, but sustained expeditionary force vis a vis Iraq, Afghanistan or Libya seems a bridge too far for this Third Rome.

Why in heck would Russia want to send an expeditionary force? What is there in Afganistan, Libya or Iraq that the Russians want to protect/exploit?
Corner the market on Jihadi terrorists?   
 

 

If a regional actor were to challenge Russian power, we would not see a repeat of the Soviet Afghan war but one of the Russo Japanese War. 

And who exactly would this regional power be, challenging (invading?) Russia? Japan? Finland? Poland?

[lordtiberius]

How about Ukraine?

btw,  Russian subs have killed more Russians than the Nato forces combined.  But ppl still buy them ask Iran

and blame America first!

[Voyager36]

How about Ukraine

Not unless they plan to heat their homes with fermented cow-dung next winter. 
Or outbid China for oil...

[lordtiberius]

I didnt vote for the guy.  if it were up to me he'd be in jail with Tony Rezko.

[mendeleyev]

How about Ukraine?

btw,  Russian subs have killed more Russians than the Nato forces combined.  But ppl still buy them ask Iran

and blame America first!

Well if you exclude causalities from our invasion of Russia in support of the White Army when the Red Army kicked out butts to the point of embarrassment (a period our history books conveniently forget to mention), then American subs have killed more Americans than the CCCP/CSTO combined. We could start with the American subs Thresher and Scorpion, for instance.

Not sure I get your point?

[Muzh]

Jim, why are you letting him drag you into the mire?
 
You are starting to lose any objectivity as a journalist.

[lordtiberius]

is your statement UT a statement of support for the Red Army during the Civil War?

[mendeleyev]

Well, considering that I deplore Communism, of course not. That ushered into a very dark and evil period and brought much pain and suffering to a good people.

[lordtiberius]

Russo-American relations are the worst I have seen in 20 years.  The Reset is a failure because let's face it, those managing the Reset aren't competent or nice people.  But it takes two to tango and what are our Russian friends doing?  They are allying themselves with China and Iran who themselves have subsidary relationships with North Korea and Syria.  Syria used chemical weapons ALLEGEDLY on its own citizens.  Is there no other conclusion but to regard Russia as an enemy?

[mendeleyev]

They are allying themselves with China

Yeah, the USA would never develop a relationship with China. That would be bad.

LT, if you so badly want to declare Russia as an enemy because she doesn't toe the line to the superior USA, please do so. You don't need my permission.

Neither you nor your dear leader have any guarantee that the regime to replace Assad would be better than the current government. Somehow you have lost sight of the fact that Syria didn't start a civil war--Islamic rebels did. If you think that Assad should just roll over and play dead because the USA says so, then write him a letter and tell him yourself.

The side you wish to back kills Christian minorities. I will someday have to give an account of my actions and alliances so in view of that reality I just can't join you on this one, LT.

[lordtiberius]

how is selling Sarin gas to be used on civilians keeping Christians safe?

[mendeleyev]

How is overthrowing a government and turning it over to Islamic rebels who are already killing civilians and Christians supposed to keep anyone safe?

You forget that it was not the government who started the civil war.

You also seem oblivious to the fact that the rebels have their hands on banned weapons and do you really think they're just keeping them safe from the mean ole Assad folk?

[Boethius]

Not all the rebels are Islamic militants.   Further, Hezbollah (Hiz b Allah - Party of God), an Islamic militant party responsible for bombings targeting Israelis, and the fundamentalist Iranian government, are supporting the current Syrian regime.

You forget that it was not the government who started the civil war.

They sort of did.  There were protests in Deraa for the release of political prisoners.  The government shot dead several protesters, and a few months later, moved in to stop protests, killing many.  The same pattern followed in other parts of Syria.  The protests were largely about unemployment, corruption, and decades of brutality.  In response to the widespread protests, opposition forces met and formed a coalition outside Syria.  Islamists were not part of the initial civil war, and their appearance likely will prolong the conflict.

[lordtiberius]

Just answer the question . . .

[mendeleyev]

LT, Why don't you ask the buyers and sellers themselves?

What you are avoiding is the obvious fact that Christians were a protected minority in the current corrupt government. Why do you think that a different corrupt government that would kill them be any better?

[lordtiberius]

Not one of your finer moments my friend, as a journalist, I thought you wpuld appreciate a direct answer to a direct question.  For a man who fashions himself a critic of Vladimir Putin, you sure are doing a great job of running interference for him.

If Mendeleyev's position is that of the Russian government, I appeal to you reader, should Russia be deposed of its position on the UN Security Council? 

[mendeleyev]

 

should Russia be deposed of its position on the UN Security Council? 

As a founding and permanent member, you should answer that one yourself.

But sure, why not? I'd nominate that happen right after the USA be deposed for dissemination of false information prior to invading Iraq. Let them both feel the consequences.

[mendeleyev]

If Mendeleyev's position is that of the Russian government

Gasp, you mean that one can never side with others on an issue that differs from Obama's America?!

[lordtiberius]

the difference is that the US doesnt need the UN as a basis of its power.  Can Ru . . .  Putin say the same?

[mendeleyev]

There are few in Washington with the intelligence to understand legal precedent under international law.

Someday, at some point, there will be a crisis of some sort in the USA. When foreign troops roll in to restore order, using the same methods the USA does now to enforce her role as the world's policeman, American citizens will come to the realization that "they built this" response and now are on the receiving end.

Every time we act in conflicts where we have no strategic interests, we are opening ourselves up to the tables being reversed someday. We are slowly giving away our sovereignty little by little.

My memory hasn't been so sharp lately so tell me again, what American strategic interests are served in Syria by helping Islamic rebels topple Assad?

Both sides of that civil war would destroy American if given half a chance, so in acting to cripple one side and arm the other, who is our "home team" ally in this conflict?

Oh, and if killing civilians is so bad (and it isn't good) then where was the USA during the Sudan conflict? Hmm, we could name several where we missed the chance to stop the killing, so what makes Syria so special?

[mendeleyev]

Russia says she will NOT go into armed conflict with the USA over Syria:

http://rbth.ru/international/2013/08/27/russia_will_not_fight_with_anyone_over_syria_29247.html