What do you think about this?
Russia invaded Georgia because it is the crossroads for natural gas pipelines to Europe. If it can secure those pipelines, they can shut off the gas to Europe. If Europe does not play ball and let Russia do whatever it wants (like raise the price astronomically), then they will shut off the gas. So, the Russians are telling Obama, that they will do all sorts of stuff that is against our interests like aim nuclear weapons at our nato allies, build nuclear reactors in Iran, support castro and sell nuclear to Chavez ... if we go against them in this Georgia gas pipeline thing.
So, what is Obama going to do? Is he going to fight for our interests and the interests of our allies or is he going to roll over, appease them, give the Russians what they want?
Is Obama going to let the oil companies drill for oil to neutralize this energy problem or is he going to support the environmentalists who supported him in his candidacy and screw the rest of us?
What do you think about this?
Russia Still Has Georgia On Its Mind
By INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY | Posted Thursday, May 14, 2009 4:20 PM PT
Geopolitics: After the largest military display since Soviet times, Moscow issues a policy paper warning of conflicts over energy. Given the Kremlin's track record, we'd better pay attention — and start drilling ourselves.
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Read More: Europe & Central Asia
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The August 2008 Russian invasion of the former Soviet republic of Georgia was rightfully seen as part of Moscow's plan to reassemble its former empire or at least exert enough control of its border to deny Western access to critical energy supplies without the Kremlin's approval.
Now Moscow has released a National Security Strategy document signed by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and listing potential challenges and government priorities through 2020. The document not-so-subtly warns that if the West does not behave itself, the invasion of Georgia may be the shape of things to come.
"The international policy in the long run will be focused on getting hold of energy sources, including in the Middle East, the Barents Sea shelf and other Arctic regions, the Caspian and Central Asia," said the strategy paper. "Amid competitive struggles for resources, attempts to use military force to solve emerging problems can't be excluded."
Russia has been there and done that. Its invasion of Georgia was in part a reaction to the expansion of NATO to the borders of Russia proper along with consideration for membership of both Georgia and Ukraine. But it was also a shot across the Western bow regarding energy.
One of the Russian targets in Georgia was a pipeline carrying oil from the Caspian Sea to the West. The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline can carry up to 1 million barrels of oil a day. It runs from Kazakhstan through Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey and breaks Russia's stranglehold on supplying energy to Europe. Moscow now supplies 25% of Europe's energy needs.
In January 2006, Russia cut off gas supplies to Ukraine, allegedly over a pricing dispute. The pipeline disruption temporarily curtailed gas deliveries to Western Europe, sending a message that energy is also a weapon in Moscow's arsenal.
Earlier this year, Bulgaria, Greece, Macedonia, Romania, Croatia and Turkey all reported a halt in gas shipments from Russia in pipelines that run through the Ukraine. Allegedly a dispute over pricing and overdue payments, it was yet another reminder to Europe and the West concerning its dependence on Russia for energy.
The European Union has long sought alternate supply routes, including the prospective Nabucco pipeline that would carry Caspian and Central Asian gas to Europe but skirt Russia.
Moscow plans to use its energy stranglehold to help block plans for further NATO expansion and plans for missile defense sites in Poland and the Czech Republic.
It is also significant that the paper mentioned the Barents Sea and "other Arctic regions."
While we're busy saving the planet, Russia claims vast areas of the Arctic seabed as an extension of its continental shelf.
A while back a Russian submarine planted a symbolic flag on the seabed floor and is developing nuclear-powered drilling rigs to exploit its resources. The joke is that while you can't really see Russia from Alaska, you may soon be able to see its oil rigs.
The policy paper warning of wars over energy was issued just four days after Moscow held its Victory Day celebration, resumed last year after a long absence. About 9,000 goose-stepping troops paraded past Lenin's tomb. They were accompanied by more than 100 combat vehicles, 69 combat aircraft and Russia's new Topol-M ballistic missile.
At the Victory Day military parade last Saturday, Medvedev did not specifically mention Georgia, but he did remind the West that recent events had "proven the high capability of the Russian military in real action."
It would appear our abandonment of fossil fuel exploration and development may be premature as well as our gutting of spending on advanced weaponry. If the Russians are serious, we're going to need more energy and a bigger stick.
Russia invaded Georgia because it is the crossroads for natural gas pipelines to Europe. If it can secure those pipelines, they can shut off the gas to Europe. If Europe does not play ball and let Russia do whatever it wants (like raise the price astronomically), then they will shut off the gas. So, the Russians are telling Obama, that they will do all sorts of stuff that is against our interests like aim nuclear weapons at our nato allies, build nuclear reactors in Iran, support castro and sell nuclear to Chavez ... if we go against them in this Georgia gas pipeline thing.
So, what is Obama going to do? Is he going to fight for our interests and the interests of our allies or is he going to roll over, appease them, give the Russians what they want?
Is Obama going to let the oil companies drill for oil to neutralize this energy problem or is he going to support the environmentalists who supported him in his candidacy and screw the rest of us?
What do you think about this?
Russia Still Has Georgia On Its Mind
By INVESTOR'S BUSINESS DAILY | Posted Thursday, May 14, 2009 4:20 PM PT
Geopolitics: After the largest military display since Soviet times, Moscow issues a policy paper warning of conflicts over energy. Given the Kremlin's track record, we'd better pay attention — and start drilling ourselves.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Read More: Europe & Central Asia
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The August 2008 Russian invasion of the former Soviet republic of Georgia was rightfully seen as part of Moscow's plan to reassemble its former empire or at least exert enough control of its border to deny Western access to critical energy supplies without the Kremlin's approval.
Now Moscow has released a National Security Strategy document signed by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and listing potential challenges and government priorities through 2020. The document not-so-subtly warns that if the West does not behave itself, the invasion of Georgia may be the shape of things to come.
"The international policy in the long run will be focused on getting hold of energy sources, including in the Middle East, the Barents Sea shelf and other Arctic regions, the Caspian and Central Asia," said the strategy paper. "Amid competitive struggles for resources, attempts to use military force to solve emerging problems can't be excluded."
Russia has been there and done that. Its invasion of Georgia was in part a reaction to the expansion of NATO to the borders of Russia proper along with consideration for membership of both Georgia and Ukraine. But it was also a shot across the Western bow regarding energy.
One of the Russian targets in Georgia was a pipeline carrying oil from the Caspian Sea to the West. The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline can carry up to 1 million barrels of oil a day. It runs from Kazakhstan through Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey and breaks Russia's stranglehold on supplying energy to Europe. Moscow now supplies 25% of Europe's energy needs.
In January 2006, Russia cut off gas supplies to Ukraine, allegedly over a pricing dispute. The pipeline disruption temporarily curtailed gas deliveries to Western Europe, sending a message that energy is also a weapon in Moscow's arsenal.
Earlier this year, Bulgaria, Greece, Macedonia, Romania, Croatia and Turkey all reported a halt in gas shipments from Russia in pipelines that run through the Ukraine. Allegedly a dispute over pricing and overdue payments, it was yet another reminder to Europe and the West concerning its dependence on Russia for energy.
The European Union has long sought alternate supply routes, including the prospective Nabucco pipeline that would carry Caspian and Central Asian gas to Europe but skirt Russia.
Moscow plans to use its energy stranglehold to help block plans for further NATO expansion and plans for missile defense sites in Poland and the Czech Republic.
It is also significant that the paper mentioned the Barents Sea and "other Arctic regions."
While we're busy saving the planet, Russia claims vast areas of the Arctic seabed as an extension of its continental shelf.
A while back a Russian submarine planted a symbolic flag on the seabed floor and is developing nuclear-powered drilling rigs to exploit its resources. The joke is that while you can't really see Russia from Alaska, you may soon be able to see its oil rigs.
The policy paper warning of wars over energy was issued just four days after Moscow held its Victory Day celebration, resumed last year after a long absence. About 9,000 goose-stepping troops paraded past Lenin's tomb. They were accompanied by more than 100 combat vehicles, 69 combat aircraft and Russia's new Topol-M ballistic missile.
At the Victory Day military parade last Saturday, Medvedev did not specifically mention Georgia, but he did remind the West that recent events had "proven the high capability of the Russian military in real action."
It would appear our abandonment of fossil fuel exploration and development may be premature as well as our gutting of spending on advanced weaponry. If the Russians are serious, we're going to need more energy and a bigger stick.
