What would a U.S.-Russia war look like?

[BillyB]

You do realize that military service was mandatory in Ukraine, right?  I would hope they learned how to handle a weapon while in service.

If you want to state that there are no Russian troops in Ukraine, state your opinion instead of giving hints of your beliefs that the militia is former Ukrainian troops.


 Based on your comment my guess is you've never been in the military. There's a reason troops train often instead of once and that is to improve and not lose their edge because they do get out of shape physically and forget. If soldiers were out of the military for years and all of a sudden picked up arms, they will not be as sharp as active duty troops and they will not remember all their training and everyone will be a little different from the way they hold a weapon to the way they operate when performing tasks. The militia in east Ukraine is performing like active duty troops that work in harmony. Read the article below based off a professional soldier's observations on the quality of troops/militia running loose in east Ukraine. Didn't you notice a difference in Ukrainian protestors abilities and what they're equipped with in the past before Yanukovych and now?


If Putin admitted to having Russian troops in Crimea, why is it so hard to believe that it's happening now in east Ukraine? Massive denial Putin is not capable of doing these things?


http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2014/04/nato-commander-offers-evidence-of-russian-troops-in-ukraine/

[Faux Pas]

We're not debating, I provide you direct information and you want me to trust Kerry 
Let Kerry give out names of all persons involved from recorded conversations, then we can continue debates.  He said: We know exactly who’s giving those orders, we know where they are coming from.
I have already showed what he meant.

Did you see this one coming?

http://news.yahoo.com/putin-foes-fear-internet-crackdown-blogger-law-sails-152919266--sector.html

[LiveFromUkraine]

If you want to state that there are no Russian troops in Ukraine, state your opinion instead of giving hints of your beliefs that the militia is former Ukrainian troops.

Another illogical fallacy.

Based on your comment my guess is you've never been in the military. There's a reason troops train often instead of once and that is to improve and not lose their edge because they do get out of shape physically and forget. If soldiers were out of the military for years and all of a sudden picked up arms, they will not be as sharp as active duty troops and they will not remember all their training and everyone will be a little different from the way they hold a weapon to the way they operate when performing tasks. The militia in east Ukraine is performing like active duty troops that work in harmony. Read the article below based off a professional soldier's observations on the quality of troops/militia running loose in east Ukraine. Didn't you notice a difference in Ukrainian protestors abilities and what they're equipped with in the past before Yanukovych and now?

You know all of this because you were an expert in such things within the military?  Maybe you read a book or played a lot of Call Of Duty.  I don't know why but I find it funny that you can't conceive of the possibility that those really are Ukrainian soldiers and that some of those Ukrainians would be trained.  Recently trained at that. 

If Putin admitted to having Russian troops in Crimea, why is it so hard to believe that it's happening now in east Ukraine? Massive denial Putin is not capable of doing these things?

Russia has bases in Crimea.  Why wouldn't Putin have troops there? 

[mhr7]

Did you see this one coming?

http://news.yahoo.com/putin-foes-fear-internet-crackdown-blogger-law-sails-152919266--sector.html

I think the only surprise is that it didn't happen sooner.

[Erwin]

Greetings all,
I thought you folks might find this article interesting...
 
http://www.counterpunch.org/2014/04/28/why-is-putin-in-washingtons-crosshairs/
April 28, 2014

Why is Putin in Washington’s Crosshairs?

by MIKE WHITNEY
 
 “Washington wants to weaken Moscow economically by slashing its gas revenues and, thus, eroding its ability to defend itself or its interests. The US does not want an economically-integrated Europe and Asia. The de facto EU-Russian alliance is a direct threat to US global hegemony.”

US provocations in Ukraine cannot be understood apart from Washington’s “Pivot to Asia”, which is the broader strategic plan to shift attention from the Middle East to Asia. The so called “re-balancing” is actually a blueprint for controlling China’s growth in a way that is compatible with US hegemonic ambitions. There are different schools of thought about how this can be achieved, but loosely speaking they fall into two categories, “dragon slayers” and “panda huggers”. Dragon slayers favor a strategy of containment while panda huggers favor engagement. As yet, the final shape of the policy has not been decided, but it’s clear from hostilities in the South China Sea and the Senkaku Islands, that the plan will depend heavily on military force.

So what does controlling China have to do with the dust up in Ukraine?

Everything. Washington sees Russia as a growing threat to its plans for regional dominance.   The problem is, Moscow has only gotten stronger as it has expanded its network of oil and gas pipelines across Central Asia into Europe. That’s why Washington has decided to use Ukraine is a staging ground for an attack on Russia, because a strong Russia that’s economically integrated with Europe is a threat to US hegemony.  Washington wants a weak Russia that won’t challenge US presence in Central Asia or its plan to control vital energy resources.

Currently, Russia provides about 30 percent of Western and Central Europe’s natural gas, 60 percent of which transits Ukraine.  People and businesses in Europe depend on Russian gas to heat their homes and run their machinery. The trading relationship between the EU and Russia is mutually-beneficial strengthening both buyer and seller alike. The US gains nothing from the EU-Russia partnership, which is why Washington wants to block Moscow’s access to critical markets. This form of commercial sabotage is an act of war.

At one time, the representatives of big oil, thought they could compete with Moscow by building alternate (pipeline) systems that would meet the EU’s prodigious demand for natural gas. But the plan failed, so Washington has moved on to Plan B; cutting off the flow of gas from Russia to the EU. By interposing itself between the two trading partners, the US hopes to oversee the future distribution of energy supplies and  control economic growth on two continents.

The problem Obama and Co. are going to have, is trying to convince people in the EU that their interests are  actually being served by paying twice as much to heat their homes in 2015 as they did in 2014, which is the way things are going to shake out if the US plan succeeds. In order to accomplish that feat, the US is making every effort to lure Putin into a confrontation so the media can denounce him as a vicious aggressor and a threat to European security.

Demonizing Putin will provide the necessary justification for stopping the flow of gas from Russia to the EU, which will further weaken the Russian economy while providing new opportunities for NATO to establish forward-operating bases on Russia’s Western perimeter.

It makes no difference to Obama whether people are gouged on gas prices or simply freeze to death in the cold. What matters is the “pivot” to the world’s most promising and prosperous markets of the next century.  What matters is crushing Moscow by slashing gas revenues thus eroding its ability to defend itself or its interests. What matters is global hegemony and world domination. That’s what really counts. Everyone knows this. To follow the daily incidents in Ukraine as though they could be separated from the big picture is ridiculous. They’re all part of the same sick strategy. 
 
Here’s a clip from former US national security adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski in Foreign Affairs explaining how–as far as Washington is concerned–it makes no sense to have separate policies for Europe and Asia:

“With Eurasia now serving as the decisive geopolitical chessboard, it no longer suffices to fashion one policy for Europe and another for Asia. What happens with the distribution of power on the Eurasian landmass will be of decisive importance to America’s global primacy and historical legacy.” (“The danger of war in Asia“, World Socialist Web Site)"

It’s all about the pivot to Asia and the future of the empire. This is why the CIA and the US State Department engineered a coup to oust Ukrainian president Viktor Yonuchovych and replace him with a US-stooge who would do Obama’s bidding.   This is why the imposter prime minister, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, has ordered two “anti-terror: crackdowns on unarmed activists in East Ukraine who oppose the Kiev junta.  This is why the Obama administration has avoided engaging Putin in constructive dialog aimed at finding on a peaceful solution to the present crisis. It’s because Obama wants to draw the Kremlin into a protracted civil war that will weaken Russia, discredit Putin, and shift public opinion to the side of the US and NATO. Why would Washington veer from a policy that clearly achieves what it’s supposed to achieve?  It won’t.
 
Here’s an excerpt from an article on antiwar.com: “Reports out of Moscow say that President Putin has “shut down” all talks with President Obama, and say they are “not interested” in speaking to the US again under the current environment of threats and hostility."

Putin and Obama had been speaking regularly on the phone about Ukraine in March and early April, but Putin has not directly spoken to him since April 14, and the Kremlin says that they see no need to do any more talking.” (“Putin Halts Talks With White House Amid Sanctions Threats”, antiwar.com). There’s nothing to be gained by talking to Obama. Putin already knows what Obama wants. He wants war. That’s why the State Department and CIA toppled the government. That’s why CIA Director John Brennan appeared in Kiev just one day before coup president Yatsenyuk ordered the first crackdown on pro Russian protestors in the East. That’s why Vice President Joe Biden appeared in Kiev just hours before Yatsenyuk launched his second crackdown on pro Russian protestors in the East. That’s why Yatsenyuk has surrounded the eastern city of Slavyansk where he is preparing an attack on pro-Russian activists. It’s because Washington believes that a violent conflagration serves its greater interests. It’s pointless to talk to people like that, which is why Putin has stopped trying.

At present, the Obama administration is pushing for another round of sanctions on Russia, but members in the EU are dragging their feet. According to RT: “At the moment there is no consensus among the EU members on which economic measures against Russia would be acceptable, or even if they are needed at all,” a European diplomatic source told Itar-Tass.

The diplomat, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said only an open military invasion of Ukraine or irrefutable proof of Russian clandestine military presence in Ukraine would tip EU’s stance toward economic sanctions. So far every piece of evidence that Kiev and Washington made public of alleged involvement of Russian agents in Ukraine was either inconclusive or simply false.” (“US failing to push economic sanctions against Russia through EU allies”, RT)" Once again, it appears that Washington needs to draw Russian troops into the conflict to achieve its objectives.

On Sunday, RIA Novosti published satellite images showing a large buildup of troops outside the eastern Ukrainian city of Slavyansk.

According to a report in Russia Today: “160 tanks, 230 APCs and BMDs, and at least 150 artillery and rocket systems, including “Grad” and “Smerch” multiple rocket launchers, have been deployed to the area. A total of 15,000 troops are positioned near Slavyansk, he said….

Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said the large buildup of Ukraine troops, as well as war games and additional deployments of armed forces to the NATO states in the region have “forced” Russia to respond with military drills of its own…..If Kiev choses to escalate the crackdown on the protesters by using heavy arms against them Russia says it reserves the right to use its own military to stop bloodshed.” (“Tanks, APCs, 15,000 troops’: Satellite images show Kiev forces build-up near Slavyansk”, RT)"
Putin has stated repeatedly that he will respond if ethnic Russians are killed in Ukraine. That’s the red line. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reiterated the same message in an interview last week with RT’s Sophie Shevardnadze. The usually soft-spoken Lavrov, condemned  Yatsenyuk’s  attack on Ukrainian civilians as “criminal” and warned that “an attack on Russian citizens  is an attack on the Russian Federation.”

The statement was followed by ominous reports of  Russian troop movements near Ukraine’s border indicating that Moscow may be preparing to intervene to stem the violence against civilians. According to Russian Russia’s Itar Tass “Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said, “As of today exercises of battalion tactical groups has begun in the border areas with Ukraine.” Also aviation will conduct flights to simulate the actions near the state border.”

So there you have it: It looks like Obama’s provocations WILL draw Putin into the fray after all. But will things turn out the way that Obama thinks they will?  Will Putin follow Washington’s script and leave his troops in the east where they’ll be picked off by US-funded paramilitary guerillas and neo Nazis or does he have something else up his sleeve, like a quick blitz to Kiev to remove the junta government, call for international peacekeepers to quell the violence, and slip back over the border to safety? Whatever the strategy may be, we won’t have to wait long to see it implemented.   If Yatsenyuk’s army attacks Slavyansk, then Putin’s going to send in the tanks and it’ll be a whole new ballgame.

MIKE WHITNEY lives in Washington state. He is a contributor to Hopeless: Barack Obama and the Politics of Illusion (AK Press). Hopeless is also available in a Kindle edition. He can be reached at fergiewhitney@msn.com.

[lordtiberius]

More of Putin's blood work:



Those that admire Putin should be shunned.  Too many on this forum, IMHO

[fathertime]

 
 “Washington wants to weaken Moscow economically by slashing its gas revenues and, thus, eroding its ability to defend itself or its interests. The US does not want an economically-integrated Europe and Asia. The de facto EU-Russian alliance is a direct threat to US global hegemony.”

US provocations in Ukraine cannot be understood apart from Washington’s “Pivot to Asia”, which is the broader strategic plan to shift attention from the Middle East to Asia. The so called “re-balancing” is actually a blueprint for controlling China’s growth in a way that is compatible with US hegemonic ambitions. There are different schools of thought about how this can be achieved, but loosely speaking they fall into two categories, “dragon slayers” and “panda huggers”. Dragon slayers favor a strategy of containment while panda huggers favor engagement. As yet, the final shape of the policy has not been decided, but it’s clear from hostilities in the South China Sea and the Senkaku Islands, that the plan will depend heavily on military force.

So what does controlling China have to do with the dust up in Ukraine?

Everything. Washington sees Russia as a growing threat to its plans for regional dominance.   The problem is, Moscow has only gotten stronger as it has expanded its network of oil and gas pipelines across Central Asia into Europe. That’s why Washington has decided to use Ukraine is a staging ground for an attack on Russia, because a strong Russia that’s economically integrated with Europe is a threat to US hegemony.  Washington wants a weak Russia that won’t challenge US presence in Central Asia or its plan to control vital energy resources.

Currently, Russia provides about 30 percent of Western and Central Europe’s natural gas, 60 percent of which transits Ukraine.  People and businesses in Europe depend on Russian gas to heat their homes and run their machinery. The trading relationship between the EU and Russia is mutually-beneficial strengthening both buyer and seller alike. The US gains nothing from the EU-Russia partnership, which is why Washington wants to block Moscow’s access to critical markets. This form of commercial sabotage is an act of war.

At one time, the representatives of big oil, thought they could compete with Moscow by building alternate (pipeline) systems that would meet the EU’s prodigious demand for natural gas. But the plan failed, so Washington has moved on to Plan B; cutting off the flow of gas from Russia to the EU. By interposing itself between the two trading partners, the US hopes to oversee the future distribution of energy supplies and  control economic growth on two continents.

The problem Obama and Co. are going to have, is trying to convince people in the EU that their interests are  actually being served by paying twice as much to heat their homes in 2015 as they did in 2014, which is the way things are going to shake out if the US plan succeeds. In order to accomplish that feat, the US is making every effort to lure Putin into a confrontation so the media can denounce him as a vicious aggressor and a threat to European security.

Demonizing Putin will provide the necessary justification for stopping the flow of gas from Russia to the EU, which will further weaken the Russian economy while providing new opportunities for NATO to establish forward-operating bases on Russia’s Western perimeter.

It makes no difference to Obama whether people are gouged on gas prices or simply freeze to death in the cold. What matters is the “pivot” to the world’s most promising and prosperous markets of the next century.  What matters is crushing Moscow by slashing gas revenues thus eroding its ability to defend itself or its interests. What matters is global hegemony and world domination. That’s what really counts. Everyone knows this. To follow the daily incidents in Ukraine as though they could be separated from the big picture is ridiculous. They’re all part of the same sick strategy. 
 
 

Hey Irwin, thanks for posting this viewpoint.


I would hope that neither of the leaders would WANT war, but who knows.


If we were to start supplying Europe gas, the cost would be outrageous, just transporting the stuff 1000's of miles across the ocean and keeping it at -40 degrees or so would use a lot of resources/money...The only way US companies are going to do that is for a profit, and it definitely would cost.  That will raise prices for us too.  I don't think people are going to go along with this...for whatever that is worth.


Fathertime!   


 

[LiveFromUkraine]

However, Russian propaganda versus American propaganda, let history part and future be the judge.

Good point FP.

[southernX]

dissapointing and sad that people are actually buying into believing articles like mike whitneys above as ''truth ''

just shows how putins propoganda is working so well here , let alone in ukraine on the ground for the local population enduring this stressfull time

this one below is far cloesr to the mark imho
http://www.praguepost.com/viewpoint/38718-europe-s-act-in-ukraine-s-tragedy

this is affecting real people there
SX

[southernX]

gq underneath Ukraine, not what is above. Like a pinata. Russia doesn't need your gas. They have more than plenty. They certainly don't need your land, they already have a huge part of their heritage well strewn into Ukraine's population.

its underneath and above that putin is after

 he took crimea , this was wanted for its strategic military significance to russia , now and into the future, stealing it saved him 100 million a year in rent alone  and he gained its significant gas and oil reserves with free access to all countrys within the black sea region who may wish to trade with him for it

however in gaining crimea , he did not gain a land bridge to it  nor water or electricity generation & supply , all fairly essential infrastructures without which crimea  will be a bigger cost to russia

 stealing more of the south/east of ukraine he gains all of the above assetts and supply lines he need to keep his costs down as low as he can  let alone the time and cost of building the kerch bridge so in true aggressive style  of nationalism he has kept on destabilising and stealth invading


stealing more of the south east will give him heavy industry that helps keep his military supplied , russia is one of the biggest arms suppliers in the world, he needs to keep that supply line gauranteed , not only for exports but his own military, recently he stated it would take russia two & half years to internally develop & replace the supply of ukraines military parts etc


he knows the south east is old soviet , much more than the west of ukraine , if he annexes it the population most likely will be less resistant to his [russian ] control again less cost to him for what he will gain

putin also gains border access to moldova he can link up all his land grabs together
nice and tidy, while further weakening ukraines economy be removing its access to the sea export ports of oddessa etc etc let alone its navy

putin knows he [russia ] will be isolated by his actions , he will ask russians to bear the sacrifice in the honour of keeping russia strong etc etc , life will get harder for the average russian , so he knows he may as well take as much as he can gain with minimum cost and blood to him if possible to make it worthwhile to his ambitions and public justification to russians

SX

[BillyB]

This is why the Obama administration has avoided engaging Putin in constructive dialog aimed at finding on a peaceful solution to the present crisis. It’s because Obama wants to draw the Kremlin into a protracted civil war that will weaken Russia, discredit Putin, and shift public opinion to the side of the US and NATO.

The author of the article thinks Obama is that smart? If Obama has the intention of dragging Russia into a messy war, he's doing a bad job. Obama needs schooling from Putin by arming the west Ukrainian fascists, have them put on ski masks so nobody can identify them and blame America, and then attack Russia. That is the sure fire way of get Russia to cross the border.


America is the source of all evil in the world? Got to stop reading those radical websites. Paranoia will destroya.

[Gator]

Greetings all,
I thought you folks might find this article interesting...
 
http://www.counterpunch.org/2014/04/28/why-is-putin-in-washingtons-crosshairs/
April 28, 2014

Why is Putin in Washington’s Crosshairs?

by MIKE WHITNEY
 
 “Washington wants to weaken Moscow economically by slashing its gas revenues and, thus, eroding its ability to defend itself or its interests. The US does not want an economically-integrated Europe and Asia. The de facto EU-Russian alliance is a direct threat to US global hegemony.”

Erwin, it is difficult to read this article when it starts with gross errors. 


First, Russia is the largest supplier of gas to Europe, yet its share is declining.  Europe has increased production from Norway and now imports more LNG from the Middle East

Second, Russia's gas revenues have been declining as prices drop due to increased production in the US at 1/5th the price of Russian gas.

Third, China has become a significant importer of Russian gas.  However, China gets most gas from Turkmenistan.  And even that will decline over time because China has the world's largest reserves of shale gas. 

Fourth,  Ukraine is Europe's second largest user of Russian gas, behind Germany, and Ukraine has plans for becoming self-sufficient. 

Thus, gas has a dismal outlook in Russia's future just due to market forces.  There is no need to fabricate some conspiracy that the US is involved in Ukraine and elsewhere to "slash" Russia's gas revenues.


Keep in mind that while Russia will have shrinking revenues, it still will be viable because of oil, not gas.   Russia's gas revenues are small compared to its oil revenues.   Last year the former amounted to $28 billion, while oil revenues were almost $200 billion. 

Due to a decline in export revenues, one wonders why Putin would want to absorb east Ukraine with its needs for financial investments.  Crimea alone will be a significant drain on Russia's cash.

[lordtiberius]

America is the source of all evil in the world? Got to stop reading those radical websites. Paranoia will destroya.

America must stay out.  Stay out.  merp!

[southernX]

Due to a decline in export revenues, one wonders why Putin would want to absorb east Ukraine with its needs for financial investments.  Crimea alone will be a significant drain on Russia's cash.

GATOR

he knows things will be difficult in the short term ,but  historically he is thinking of going down in history as the ''man ''who gave russia back its real heartland,

primarily he is playing the long term game here , id be thinking it is decades/ centurys not just the next few years,

he knows russia will survive any isolation austerity that happens, he is also doing it internally himself to russia ,
but decades out he will make in his mind significant history by his actions today , that people will accept as a good outcome for russians , despite possible generational suffering in the shorter term .imho
SX

[Belvis]

primarily he is playing the long term game here ...
he knows russia will survive any isolation austerity that happens ...
people will accept as a good outcome for russians , despite possible generational suffering in the shorter term

Pretty right on the money.
Putin will go in some time but Crimea will stay in Russia.

[Belvis]

Faces of pro-Russian militia in Donetsk and Lugansk regions

[missAmeno]

Pretty right on the money.
Putin will go in some time but Crimea will stay in Russia.

Are Russians at all bothered that their president supports terrorists?
How they feel about innocent people being beaten up, tortured and even killed due to actions of their president?
How they feel about loosing freedom of speech and right to protest?
What do they think about proposed closed internal internet for Russia?
What people think about planned on 18th of May rallies against Putin across Russia? (will you be taking part in them?)

[fathertime]

GATOR

he knows things will be difficult in the short term ,but  historically he is thinking of going down in history as the ''man ''who gave russia back its real heartland,

primarily he is playing the long term game here , id be thinking it is decades/ centurys not just the next few years,

he knows russia will survive any isolation austerity that happens, he is also doing it internally himself to russia ,
but decades out he will make in his mind significant history by his actions today , that people will accept as a good outcome for russians , despite possible generational suffering in the shorter term .imho
SX

Hey SX,
If V. Putin is playing the long game it also has it's risks, the next Russian leader could decide to 'regift' lands back outright, or as part of a greater agreement...or maybe not.


I read a little article this morning that states that the Ukrainian officials or cooperating with the gunmen taking over buildings in E. Ukraine...Kiev has said it is'helpless'.


http://news.yahoo.com/kiev-says-helpless-restore-order-east-095344345.html


Fathertime! 

[Belvis]

Are Russians at all bothered that their president supports terrorists?
How they feel about innocent people being beaten up, tortured and even killed due to actions of their president?

It's hard to distinguish between terrorists, rebels, insurgents, activists in Ukraine. I can say firmly no, the president did not support terrorists at Maidan who  participated in armed coup in Kiev. However where our president took approapriate actions, in Crimea, there were no tortured  people, no deaths. Do you propose Putin take actions in mainland Ukraine to restore civil rights and order?

How they feel about loosing freedom of speech and right to protest?
What do they think about proposed closed internal internet for Russia?

Nobody concerned because they know it's BS for west  audience. But I can be biased as I don't crave for beating cops. I prefer election tools.

What people think about planned on 18th of May rallies against Putin across Russia? (will you be taking part in them?)

People don't think about so remote events.  They have to think about coming long holidays, how  and where to spend them. I respect the right and wish of 0.1% of population to protest against Putin    I don't like he is still single but consider it's not a good reason to take part in a rally against him.

[GQBlues]

LIES! LIES! LIES! Just gives me goose-bumpies when I see LIES! LIES! LIES! Hitler-Putin you...

Faces of pro-Russian militia in Donetsk and Lugansk regions

I completely disagree!! I mean COMPLETELY! This is another Russian propaganda!

These are not Pro-Russian militia. These are the Super-Duper, Friday-Nights Special, Russian Elite killing squad that had invaded Ukraine. It's no use for Russia to be lying about this fact as the pictures can easily show these demons of death. Demons of Death, I tell yah!

Notice the Soviet - KGB elite force issue - Adidas super-duper combat fighting shoes on the first pic? Hah! Dead giveaway there. Even those Sport Chalet's Hellstorm black knee pads.

How about those Soviet Swift Pink Menace with retracting 8" jagged-edged blade that Cute Agent Katerina is wearing? Hah, how about those? She's part of the Kremlin high noon all-women murderers squad. They perform special missions that need to be carried out after noon everyday for the simple reason FSUW normally doesn't get out of bed until sometime after 11 AM.

I can go on with these irrefutable facts that Russia's Elite Special, Super-Duper killing machines on two legs were sent inside Ukraine to takeover their illegal and illegitimate government buildings in eastern Ukraine.

Oh yes they are!

Ain't no lyin' eyes on this one, you Lying Hitler-Putin - you.

Spies from Yahoo and Fox News even released a classified report that these military demons were actually communicating with Moscow. The nerve of these Slavs!

Hah! Putin must think RWD posters are gullible enough not to see through these covert and secretly classified, hush-hush fogs of war?

We can see right through you, you Hitler-Putin you!

[missAmeno]

... our president took approapriate actions, in Crimea, there were no tortured  people, no deaths.

Are you trying to say that Reshat Ametov was not tortured or that he is still alive? Or perhaps that Stanislav Karachevsky was not killed? Or maybe you are trying to say that no one was torturing Sergey Hayduk, Alexey Gritsenko, Yuri Shevchenko, Sergey Suprun, Davydenko, Mikhail, Maxim Tryvydenko, Andrew Shchekun, Yaroslav Pilunsky and Yuri Gruzinova? No one during tortures was shooting through legs and hands of Andrew Shchekun and Yuri Shevchenko from traumatic weapons? No one during tortures cut piece of ear from Yuri Shevchenko? Or perhaps you are trying to say that right now those hostages that still holding glorious russian soldiers in Crimea  are not being tortured?

[LiveFromUkraine]

How about those Soviet Swift Pink Menace with retracting 8" jagged-edged blade that Cute Agent Katerina is wearing? Hah, how about those? She's part of the Kremlin high noon all-women murderers squad. They perform special missions that need to be carried out after noon everyday for the simple reason FSUW normally doesn't get out of bed until sometime after 11 AM.

The Russians have been giving out pink shoes and masks so their soldiers can blend in.   Brilliant tactics if you ask me.  I can't tell if that is a woman or Russian Spetsnaz.  Look at the way she is holding the bat.  You can tell she has been trained in the use of weaponry.  She obviously isn't some old fat vet that hasn't trained in 20 years.

[GQBlues]

...Look at the way she is holding the bat....

Old habits die hard, man. Killer Soviets Elite Force are people, too.

... She obviously isn't some old fat vet that hasn't trained in 20 years...

No she's not...but the US dispatched soldiers sent to confront these Soviet Elite forces stationed in Latvia and Estonia are. See below.

I really like the new US military slogan: "Let Yourself Go!"

[Gator]

The Russians have been giving out pink shoes and masks so their soldiers can blend in.   Brilliant tactics if you ask me.  I can't tell if that is a woman or Russian Spetsnaz.  Look at the way she is holding the bat. 

It seems that she has been trained to stroke the bat, believing it will make her little bat harder and bigger. 

[calmissile]

Good one Gator.