Stoking Tensions, Risking Confrontation: A High Stakes US Gamble with Russia - by Stephen Lendman
Prior to entering WW II, US strategists had a clear aim in mind at its conclusion - to hold unchallengeable power in a new post-war global system: military, economic and political in a "Grand Area" encompassing the West and Far East. Essentially most parts outside the communist bloc and exploiting it under disarming rhetoric like being "selfless advocates of freedom for colonial peoples (and an) enemy of imperialism." Championing "world peace (also) through multinational control."
Today, the facade is gone, and no pretense remains about much "grander" plans - over an "Area" comprising planet earth with "full spectrum dominance" over all land, surface and sub-surface sea, air, space, electromagnetic spectrum and information systems with enough overwhelming power to fight and win global wars against any potential challengers with all weapons in our arsenal, including nuclear and others of mass destruction.
One nation above others is an obstacle - Russia. It's powerful and can't be intimidated like most others. It's also dominant where Washington wants control - the Eurasian vastness with its huge oil, gas and other resources. For years, American sought dominance over it. Saw an opening when the Soviet Union dissolved. And one way or other seeks to get it. Russia has other plans, so therein lies the root of the current conflict using Georgia as a US proxy to instigate it.
Beating up on Russia is now fair game. Moscow, for its part, won't back off, so clear lines are drawn for protracted confrontation in a very high risk gamble for both sides. Russia prefers diplomacy to conflict and seeks alliances with the West and its neighbors. America wants conquest, and look at the stakes. An area from roughly Germany in the West to the Pacific rim. Encompassing Russia, China, the Middle East, and Asian sub-continent. Including about three-fourths of the world's population and an equal amount of its energy resources. Most of its physical wealth overall and its GDP. No small prize, and America intends to secure it. Russia stands in the way. It controls its own part and influences much of the rest. Welcome to the new Cold War and new Great Game.
It's only round one, but its roots go back to earlier US efforts to ally with former Soviet Republics. Encircle Russia with military bases and station offensive missiles and advanced tracking radar on its borders. Then Georgia attacked South Ossetia on August 7. Washington orchestrated the aggression. Russia counterattacked after artillery fire killed 15 or more of its peacekeepers, and partially destroyed their headquarters. The entire Tskhinvali capital as well, a civilian target of no military consequence. Border villages were burnt to the ground. Atrocities committed. Malicious attacks against non-combatants. Western media portrayed the aggressor as victim. The same game it always plays - so far with faint letup, save for the heavy Democrat and Republican conventions coverage getting top billing.
The Caucacus (hot) conflict has now ebbed. Russia controls things on the ground. In full compliance with the Sarkozy-brokered peace, according to Foreign Minister Lavrov. All six points of its original version. They include:
-- renouncing the use of force;
-- halting all military action;
-- providing free access for humanitarian aid;
-- the return of Georgian forces to their bases;
-- Russian forces to their pre-conflict positions; and
-- engaging in international discussions on South Ossetian and Abkhazian future status to ensure their security.
Afterwards, Georgian president Saakashvili reneged by unilaterally amending the original agreement. It bears no relation to what Moscow signed. A deliberately confrontational act. Surely directed from Washington. Sharp western criticism followed and ignited the old Cold War blame the Russians game that both surprised and angered the Kremlin.
Its leadership isn't about to roll over. On August 26, it backed South Ossetian and Abkazian independence and their protection from further Georgian aggression. The populations of both provinces overwhelmingly approve. On August 27, Georgia, in response, withdrew all but two lower level officials from Moscow. On August 29, its parliament supported a resolution to sever diplomatic relations and cancel agreements allowing Russian peacekeepers to remain in both provinces. Russian State Duma Foreign Affairs Committee Head, Konstantin Kosachev, called the action "regrettable" but said its impact on Russia won't be negative. Until August 29, Russia retained its full Tbilisi staff and said maintaining ties are vital.
According to The New York Times on August 29, that's now changed after Georgia made it official - breaking diplomatic ties with Russia and Moscow responding in kind. Both countries will retain their consular offices but further political relations will be handled by intermediaries. The move doesn't prevent both countries' officials from meeting in neutral territory.
I am a 72 year old, retired, progressive small businessman concerned about all the major national and world issues, committed to speak out and write about them.
The views expressed in this article are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.
I read a lot of German, Brit and French mags every week; according to one of those mags, known to have first hand info not found elsewhere, American military counselors were directly involved in the rocket shelling of Southern Ossetia.
by
francine (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 385 comments) on Monday, Sep 1, 2008 at 7:09:58 AM
It may be a Neocon psyop to coerce Russia to sell out Iran.
The USraeli Empire's increasing belligerence toward Russia lately may be a case of the Empire posturing itself to offer the Russians a package deal; e.g., we'll back-off if you turn your head while we attack Iran.
And if this is the case, I hope the Russians are smart enough to not take the bait. Selling out Iran now for a little extra safety and security, will merely delay, not prevent, the day the Empire will ultimately come for Russia.
by
Harold Smith (0 articles, 3 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 556 comments [1 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Monday, Sep 1, 2008 at 8:18:36 AM
US-Georgia/Russia War Crimes and State Sponsored Terrorism
Very disappointed in McCain/Obama positions on state sponsored terrorism.
See click here for a more in depth discussion of the US-Georgia/Russia positions on this matter.
From my point of view, just as some are appalled of what Russia has wrought upon Georgia, I'm appalled with what Georgia's President Mikheil Saakashvili and the Bush/Cheney state terrorists wrought on South Ossetia and the civilized world by attacking and killing South Ossetian civilian populations in the in middle of the night without U.N. sanctions and triggering another war. They precipitated this terrible state of affairs throughout a major part of our world. They should be tried for war crimes.
by
Hubert Steed (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 84 comments [10 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Monday, Sep 1, 2008 at 4:22:06 PM
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