Russia's influence in our new geopolitical cold war

Iraq has proved to be our indicator in where we stand in our geopolitical fortitude. The resolve of our nation has, and will continue to be tested. However, my opinion of the current state of affairs in world politics reverts back to our former, and now forgotten nemesis. Russia has become a source of great political anguish, as we have held the title of the only true superpower of the world. It has been 16 years since our greatest ideological rival revealed its true self as a farce. Is Russia becoming “the new superpower” that we don’t yet fear?

Russia is using its largest asset, that even the collapse of the iron curtain could not destroy; its energy resources. With energy becoming a desperately needed commodity, Russia has used his abundance of energy to become its stepping stone into becoming a major political powerbroker in world affairs. Countries such as Ukraine, Belarus, Finland and many of the western European and the former Soviet bloc countries have had to bow down to the mercy of Russia and its enormous oil and gas supplies. What has happened, and is now happening, is that these dependant countries cannot afford to lose this supply, and now fear that upsetting the new regime will sacrifice their supplies. In return, Russia has used this as an opportunity to gouge the prices by as much as three times the previous rates. Russia has effectively regained some semblance of power over other countries, in that, the fear exists of the unknown of what will happen should Russia cut-off their badly needed supplies.

Russia has yet another asset that this turbulent world of ours is thriving on today; Arms. It is common knowledge that every Iraqi, and perhaps every insurgent use an AK-47. But that is of a lesser concern than the more sophisticated weaponry that Russia repeatedly sells to the Middle East and other hot spots around the world. Countries such as Iran, Syria and Morocco rely heavily on various different Russian made weaponry, including surface to air missiles, armored vehicles and other specialized weapons. Furthermore, with terrorists and other rogue governments’ appetites for nuclear capabilities, Russia is sitting on a treasure trove for which ethically, there seems no reason why they shouldn’t stir the pot a little more and look the other way for the sake of financial and political gain.

Russia has the leader to put their motherland back into superficial prosperity that they once held. Vladimir Putin seems to think that he can rule with a soft iron fist. Putin’s stranglehold hold of the media essentially is, reverting Russia back into communism. Increasingly, journalists are in danger of retaliation, should their opinions contradict the official government lingo. Putin has already taken over control of two television stations, and has effectively reduced free opinions in most newspapers. Along with the media censorship, Putin has formed an alliance with perhaps are greatest threat to democracy in the western hemisphere; Hugo Chavez. Hugo Chavez is increasingly a threat to stability in central and southern America. His socialist ideas and continued anti-American propaganda have reinforced the fact that Russia has once again found another strategic partner near American soil; now that Fidel Castro’s fate is uncertain.

In closing I would like to summarize my points about the changing face of Russia and its political and related consequences. Russia is striving for an identity in the world; that isn’t one as a failed superpower. Russia still views the United States as its chief adversary. To accomplish its goal of becoming a superpower again, it has used its resources as a trump card, over essentially defenseless nations that cannot afford to disconnect from their necessities. Russia is fighting the United States indirectly through the sale of arms to our sworn enemies. Russia may also be selling nuclear weapon technology or material to rogue governments or terrorists whom the United States is currently at odds with. Finally, Russia is reintroducing a so-called form of democracy that we in the United States call socialism or even communism. Putin is depriving his people from the freedom of expression and has aligned with our greatest threat to democracy in the western hemisphere. Russia may not be on the average American’s radar these days, but there certainly needs to be a strong look at how they are affecting the world today, and what their ultimate goals really are.

a new world

Our world has become so political that no one can even enjoy the pleasure of a winter storm. A winter storm used to be the news for days. Now a winter storm only transfixes us for hours, as we wait for the latest news on Anna Nicole and Brittany. Although that is not political, it shows where our media has shifted their attention. They have gone to the more sensational, attention grabbing headline stories, that, we as a nation have tended to grasp and hang onto. We as a nation need to look through the bullshit of mainstream media, and grasp the idea of alternate media that reports the real events of our ever-changing world. Look at events in Russia, Venezuela, Cuba, China and the Balkan region, to name a few. Africa has become a breeding ground for fundamentalists. We are a very vane culture that has a lot at stake, that effects the welfare of the world. We need to grow up and understand the realism of our current crises.

Da Bears

Old school football. Urlacher and the d in chicaga will dominate the one-sided manning colts this weekend. check out the highlight reel.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJHLx9H7nz8&mode=user&search=
Go Bears
Eric