New Cold War

[Super Nova]

While I understand the west's need to punish Russia over the Ukraine I feel we are at risk of a new cold war and forcing Russia to become isolated.

No-one wants to pick a fight with Russia because they are too big to screw with militarily. However if things really turn bad for them they may resort to war. The best boost to domestic problems is a good war as we have observed many times over the last century.

Should the west push so hard?

Sanctions bring Russian economy grinding to halt

Russia’s economy is grinding to a halt under the weight of international sanctions aimed at punishing the government for the crisis in Ukraine.

Dmitry Medvedev, the prime minister, admitted yesterday that western sanctions were biting deep and had spread uncertainty among investors. He announced a tough federal budget prepared in “such difficult circumstances when an economic slowdown was exacerbated by the implementation of sanctions on individual sectors of the economy”.

The 2015-2017 budget anticipates an end to real-wage growth, a struggle to tame inflation and a falling rouble. Analysts said the true outlook might be even bleaker because the budget optimistically assumes that oil, Russia’s chief export, will average $100 per barrel. It currently hovers close to that level. Rosneft, Russia’s largest oil company, has asked the government for $40 billion in aid.

Alexei Ulyukayev, the economy minister, slashed his growth forecast for the rest of the year to 0.1-0.2 per cent. Only two months ago, the ministry was predicting 1 per cent growth, before the last two rounds of sanctions kicked in.

During President Putin’s first two terms as president, from 2000-2008, Russia enjoyed growth rates of 7-8 per cent but the economy had already slowed before the Ukraine crisis began.

President Poroshenko of Ukraine said his country had become the frontline in a global battle for freedom and democracy, as he made a direct plea for American military support against Russian aggression. “Blankets, night-vision goggles are important, but we cannot win the war with blankets,” he said in an address to both houses of Congress repeatedly interrupted by standing ovations.

Mr Poroshenko warned of Russia’s threat to the world, and denounced the annexation of Crimea as “the most cynical act of treachery in modern history”.

The White House responded during his address by announcing a fresh $53 million package of humanitarian and security assistance, which stopped short of providing lethal weapons.

In an emotional address, Mr Poroshenko said that the Ukrainians had adopted the “live free or die” slogan of the American revolution. And paying tribute to Ukrainian boys and girls who were in the frontline of the battle for freedom and democracy, he said: “From this high beacon of freedom, I want to thank them for their sacrifice.”

· President Putin threatened that Russian troops could invade the capitals of Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland and Romania within days, according to Mr Poroshenko (David Charter writes). The warning was revealed to José Manuel Barroso, head of the European Commission, the Süddeutsche Zeitung newspaper reported yesterday
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/worl ... 210985.ece

[skippy]

The west don't have the resources or time to pick a war with Russia they're too busy with the Middle East nowadays. I noticed a story yesterday that said foreign Minister Julie Bishop was trying to get China and Russia onside against the Islamic state.

[Neferti]

The west don't have the resources or time to pick a war with Russia they're too busy with the Middle East nowadays. I noticed a story yesterday that said foreign Minister Julie Bishop was trying to get China and Russia onside against the Islamic state.

I bet she never said anything of the sort! You should not take any notice of what you read on Crikey, skip.

[Aussie]

The west don't have the resources or time to pick a war with Russia they're too busy with the Middle East nowadays. I noticed a story yesterday that said foreign Minister Julie Bishop was trying to get China and Russia onside against the Islamic state.

I bet she never said anything of the sort! You should not take any notice of what you read on Crikey, skip.

And, as is usual, you prove yourself to be a dick-head with a mouth, and SFA else:

Link.

[IQS.RLOW]

Yet another post addressing the poster rather than the topic.

You wont last long with that shit under my admin Aussie.
Best start pulling your socks up now.

[Neferti]

The west don't have the resources or time to pick a war with Russia they're too busy with the Middle East nowadays. I noticed a story yesterday that said foreign Minister Julie Bishop was trying to get China and Russia onside against the Islamic state.

I bet she never said anything of the sort! You should not take any notice of what you read on Crikey, skip.

And, as is usual, you prove yourself to be a dick-head with a mouth, and SFA else:

Link.

As usual, you show YOUR true Commie colours. Quoting links to a Leftard Opinion site is about as useful as quoting Pickering or Bolt. NOT ACCEPTABLE.

[Aussie]

As usual, you show YOUR true Commie colours. Quoting links to a Leftard Opinion site is about as useful as quoting Pickering or Bolt. NOT ACCEPTABLE.

The same story is in The Australian. Would that be acceptable?

[Rorschach]

Yet another post addressing the poster rather than the topic.

You wont last long with that shit under my admin Aussie.
Best start pulling your socks up now.

Hypocrite!

[mantra]

While I understand the west's need to punish Russia over the Ukraine I feel we are at risk of a new cold war and forcing Russia to become isolated.

No-one wants to pick a fight with Russia because they are too big to screw with militarily. However if things really turn bad for them they may resort to war. The best boost to domestic problems is a good war as we have observed many times over the last century.

Should the west push so hard?

Sanctions bring Russian economy grinding to halt

Russia’s economy is grinding to a halt under the weight of international sanctions aimed at punishing the government for the crisis in Ukraine.

Dmitry Medvedev, the prime minister, admitted yesterday that western sanctions were biting deep and had spread uncertainty among investors. He announced a tough federal budget prepared in “such difficult circumstances when an economic slowdown was exacerbated by the implementation of sanctions on individual sectors of the economy”.

The 2015-2017 budget anticipates an end to real-wage growth, a struggle to tame inflation and a falling rouble. Analysts said the true outlook might be even bleaker because the budget optimistically assumes that oil, Russia’s chief export, will average $100 per barrel. It currently hovers close to that level. Rosneft, Russia’s largest oil company, has asked the government for $40 billion in aid.

Alexei Ulyukayev, the economy minister, slashed his growth forecast for the rest of the year to 0.1-0.2 per cent. Only two months ago, the ministry was predicting 1 per cent growth, before the last two rounds of sanctions kicked in.

During President Putin’s first two terms as president, from 2000-2008, Russia enjoyed growth rates of 7-8 per cent but the economy had already slowed before the Ukraine crisis began.

President Poroshenko of Ukraine said his country had become the frontline in a global battle for freedom and democracy, as he made a direct plea for American military support against Russian aggression. “Blankets, night-vision goggles are important, but we cannot win the war with blankets,” he said in an address to both houses of Congress repeatedly interrupted by standing ovations.

Mr Poroshenko warned of Russia’s threat to the world, and denounced the annexation of Crimea as “the most cynical act of treachery in modern history”.

The White House responded during his address by announcing a fresh $53 million package of humanitarian and security assistance, which stopped short of providing lethal weapons.

In an emotional address, Mr Poroshenko said that the Ukrainians had adopted the “live free or die” slogan of the American revolution. And paying tribute to Ukrainian boys and girls who were in the frontline of the battle for freedom and democracy, he said: “From this high beacon of freedom, I want to thank them for their sacrifice.”

· President Putin threatened that Russian troops could invade the capitals of Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland and Romania within days, according to Mr Poroshenko (David Charter writes). The warning was revealed to José Manuel Barroso, head of the European Commission, the Süddeutsche Zeitung newspaper reported yesterday
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/worl ... 210985.ece

Australia seems to have backed down a little with their harsh stance on Russia, although they are sending a clear message to Putin that he won't be forgiven quickly for his hindrance into the investigation of the downing of the MH317. Ultimately we need Russia onside as much as they need us.

What we should be concerned about is the possible invasion of Syria at the request of the US. Regardless of the Americans justifying it under some obscure act, it will still be an illegal invasion. For every terrorist killed, there are possibly half a dozen or more innocent people killed alongside them. As with the Iraqi invasion, the Coalition of the Willing killed more civilians than Saddam did. Because of our lack of understanding of their culture, when the terrorists end up controlling Iraq or Afghanistan, we whinge about the influx of refugees.

How many wars can our little country afford to support?

[AiA in Atlanta]

The USA had its chance to start a new chapter after the Cold War but it couldn't move away from *empire* ...