Are we seeing a renewal of the Iron Curtain? The next Cold War? [video=youtube;5QYIlgRg9TY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QYIlgRg9TY[/video]
Its getting pretty bad M21. There are a lot of things that the US and EU can do to punish Russia, economically, politically, etc but at the moment they look like they're scared. I know Russia has nukes but it'll never come to that, also they would never thing about attacking the US for example, they know better than that, especially with US having lots of bases around Europe. About recognizing those two break away regions, here are the Russians saying that Kosovo's independence is illegal, and yet they want to recognize those two regions, and whats worse they have Chechnya which has wanted to be independent for years but Russia just basically crush them every time the Chechens try doing it. What do you think M21?
The Russian government is a two-faced monster and it has been for a long time. I don't think Nuclear War is even possible these days based on modern times, but Russia may spark something else. I don't think the West is scared at all actually, especially when you look at how Sarkozy is taking this whole thing. He's called a meeting in Brussels over future relationships with Russia. If the French are getting pissed off at something outside of their own country then Russia know they're making the wrong call here and we all know that. The thing is, they are stubborn as hell and will never admit to mistakes even though history shows they are the worst country for making terrible mistakes. They have no precautions. As for recognizing the separatist regions of Georgia, Russia should be ashamed. The two regions believe Russia is here to believe in them and help them when only a few years ago Russia pushed them away when they asked to be a part of Russia instead of Georgia. All of a sudden Russia wants them to be free? All of this has to do with their egos in Moscow. Now it is about backfire from Kosovo independence and the USA backing both that and aiding 100,000 displaced people in Georgia. Russia doesn't give a shit about those breakaway separatist regions of Georgia at all. Russia just doesn't want Western-Asian (former USSR) countries to join the Western Military Alliance. As you mentioned the Chechens have been demanding independence for years and people have come to believe that they are the cause of deaths when they protest or take hostages. Surely they are partly to blame, but the Russians are the ones taking every situation so poorly. They are the cause of all those school children dying. They are the cause of war and further problems because they won't even listen to Chechen interests. It makes no sense not to sit down and peacefully discuss what could work for both parties. That is not Russia's style - Russia's style is to make poor decisions and act too strongly against opposing people on their paranoia. I mean it is obvious isn't it? They are just paranoid over everything.
Some good points you made there M21. And I agree that Russia doesn't care about the people in those break-away regions at all. They're just using them for their own interest.
They are idiots because this is going to permanently damage their relationship with the west. There is also news that they are prepared to enter Ukraine next. Ukraine's president said that if they are to enter, the Ukrainian army will attack. They had a parade for their independence day last Sunday and for the first time in nearly a decade they used tanks for demonstration. Could this be a sign of things to come?
If they attack Ukraine, I can see Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania trying to help them. It would probably escalate to a bigger war, hopefully not a world war but US might end up being involved because they have to help their allies in Europe. Its not looking good is all I can say, and Putin is looking more and more like a modern day Hitler. (much smarter version, a sneakier version)
No, nothing is permanent. Not even this. The US has its opinions on what Russia should be doing, and vice versa. Russia has not "taken over" any countries yet, have they? Up until this point, this is all dick-waving.
They kind of have "taken over" those two regions for the simple fact that they have their army there. I hope the Western nations act and punish Russia. (in any way they can except militarily)
No, they simply are enabling Ossentia to do what it wants. You really need to look at both sides of the arguement in order to understand. Their people want this to happen. To the West, I say, LET IT GO! It was never yours to begin with.
The reason Russia can probably get away with this is because neither the US nor NATO nor the "west" have any "real" interest in Georgia. If Russia were to expand this, to say Poland, military action could take place and Russia really doesn't want to face a coalition force (nor a unilateral US force, if need be). By keeping it "small", Russia can safely assume they will not face any military opposition that will give them pause.
