The Rise of the Russian Empire: Russo-Armenian Relations

[Mizzike]

Re: The Rise of the Russian Empire: Russo-Armenian Relations

Communism or Bolshevism was never the real problem per se. Islamic fundamentalism or terrorism is not the real problem today. The real problem always was, still is and will always be - who controls the world's wealth and who sets the world's economic and political standards. Because Russia controls something like 20% of all natural resources on earth and can directly impact all of Eurasia, a free and patriotic Russia is considered to be the one and only longterm threat/competitor that the West faces. Thus, even if Russia miraculously transformed itself into a true democracy overnight they would still be considered an enemy by the West - more precisely, as long as Russia's national interests interferes with the global agenda of the West.

Once you being to looking at global politics beyond mainstream news, catchy labels and personal sentiments, all that is occurring in the world today would make greater sense to you.

I agree with all that, and that's what I'm saying is the problem today, since there is not a 'communist empire' so there isn't even that illusion of justification for endless military intervention. But you're adding that even if there was no "Cold War" or communism, American imperialism would have continued unabated anyway? Though I guess this would make sense. The British, French, Spanish, the major powers of the last millennium were all imperialistic without justifications of "protecting democracy." They were just openly were keen on global dominance. Today, most common folk would abhor that, but the government sugarcoats their intervention abroad by simply saying it's to "protect democracy," or "fighting 'terror'," rather than being openly honest that it's about controlling resources and power. Because if the masses were truly aware, they wouldn't have it.

[Armenian]

Re: The Rise of the Russian Empire: Russo-Armenian Relations

I agree with all that, and that's what I'm saying is the problem today, since there is not a 'communist empire' so there isn't even that illusion of justification for endless military intervention. But you're adding that even if there was no "Cold War" or communism, American imperialism would have continued unabated anyway? Though I guess this would make sense. The British, French, Spanish, the major powers of the last millennium were all imperialistic without justifications of "protecting democracy." They were just openly were keen on global dominance. Today, most common folk would abhor that, but the government sugarcoats their intervention abroad by simply saying it's to "protect democracy," or "fighting 'terror'," rather than being openly honest that it's about controlling resources and power. Because if the masses were truly aware, they wouldn't have it.

You got it, Mike. But don't think that the traditional empires did not have ideologies to spread as a pretext/excuse for invasion and/or exploitation. The equivalent of the modern world's "democracy" for the French, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch or British empires was none other than - Christianity. [Islam for the Middle Easterners] And before Christianity it was Roman culture, and before Roman culture it was Hellenism... Just like how we try today to bring "democracy" to "third world" nations at the tip of a gun (because we know what's good for them) our western ancestors brought "Christianity" or "Roman/Hellenic Culture" to the Godless "savages" and "barbarians" at the tip of a sword for over two thousand years. And just like today, in final analysis, it was never about Christianity or any particular culture, it was always about power and plunder. Political slogans and/or religious rhetoric are simply meant for the masses - the sheeple that are asked to do the fighting and dying.

So, in the absence of Communism today, the West will try to sell its agenda against Russia as one of bringing "democracy" to a "totalitarian" [read primitive] nation...

Take the current rhetoric in the West regarding "democracy" and replace it with the word "Christianity," take the term "Third World" and replace it with "savages," take the term "totalitarian" and replace it with "barbarian" - and you would feel as if you have been transplanted back several hundred years...

Other than names and titles nothing changes.

[skhara]

Re: The Rise of the Russian Empire: Russo-Armenian Relations

Russia was always regarded as "savage" and "primitive" by the enlightened "west".

[meline]

Re: The Rise of the Russian Empire: Russo-Armenian Relations

And just like today, in final analysis, it was never about Christianity or any particular culture, it was always about power and plunder. Political slogans and/or religious rhetoric are simply meant for the masses - the sheeple that are asked to do the fighting and dying.

.

Brilliant. And it sums it up, all.

So, in the absence of Communism today, the West will try to sell its agenda against Russia as one of bringing "democracy" to a "totalitarian" [read primitive] nation...

Armenian, with all due respect, I beg to disagree here. (For once!) Communism never really existed in the USSR. There is a note of difference between commuism and socialism. I know that the term Communism was widely used in the west to desribe the Eastern Block, but it fails to reflect the 1946-1989 realities in both ex-USSR and Eastern Europe (which was in the sphere of influence)

[Armanen]

Re: The Rise of the Russian Empire: Russo-Armenian Relations

Be careful of using terms like "global elite" or "globalists" and all their other derivatives. Take care to use them in a proper context. Otherwise it will undermine your argument.

I agree, and that is why I refrain from using terms like illuminati or NWOers, etc. To me all those terms apply to the same people more or less. If there is a big difference between the terms please expand on it.

There were always globalist elements in the soviet government, who kept in touch with their handlers and their counterparts in america. I don't see these people as a monolithic organization, in fact they often fought amongst themselves, but I do think they have their fingers all over the place, especially in the important countries.

[Armenian]

Re: The Rise of the Russian Empire: Russo-Armenian Relations

Main points of Putin's annual Q&A session

US infected world with crisis - Putin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yc3-vqy3N10

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin held a live televised question and answer session with the Russian public on Thursday, his first as premier and leader of the ruling pro-presidential United Russia party. Putin, who became the leader of the United Russia party in May after stepping down as president, held six live televised question and answer sessions as head of state. During his latest televised session held in Gostiny Dvor, an exhibition center in downtown Moscow which hosts United Russia party congresses, Putin answered 80 questions in 3 hours and 8 minutes, beating the previous record of 3 hours and 5 minutes. Russians in 13 cities and 8 regions were able to send questions for the prime minister by telephone, on line and via text messages. The Russian prime minister said:

Foreign policy

- he expects positive changes in relations between Moscow and Washington under Barack Obama, who is to be inaugurated as president in January

- progress has been reached on the two key disputes in Russia-U.S. relations - Washington's plans for a missile shield in Central Europe, and NATO's expansion plans

- Russia could reduce natural gas supplies to Ukraine if the country fails to pay its debts

- Russia is ready to do everything to develop cooperation with Ukraine but relations between Moscow and Kiev should be fair and "market-based"

- he hopes that new EU member states will understand the need to look to the future and not stick to the past in their relations with Russia

- joint work between Russia and the EU in the economic sphere will increase transparency and stability of both the Russian and European economies

- Georgia's attack on South Ossetia ended any chance the South Caucasus state had of bringing its rebel republics back under central control

- Georgians should decide themselves on punishment for the country's leadership that started the August conflict in South Ossetia

- Russia sees no need to establish permanent military bases in Venezuela or Cuba, but could use their military infrastructure

- the decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to grant Russia the right to host the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi will not be reviewed

Economy

- Russia has a strong chance of surviving the crisis with minimum losses

- Russian authorities will prevent sharp fluctuations in the ruble exchange rate

- there will not be a ruble devaluation

- Russia will see GDP growth of 6.8-6.9%, industrial production growth of 4.8%, and 13% inflation in 2008

- the Russian state will acquire large stakes in major companies in a bid to support them, but ruled out nationalization

- the 5 trillion rubles ($179 billion) allocated to prop up the banking sector amid the financial crisis is insufficient to stabilize the economy

- the Russian government may demand that monopolies reduce rises in tariffs

- Russia's government may demand that natural monopolies, including energy giant Gazprom and Russian Railways, reduce prices

- the Agency for Housing Mortgage Lending must provide banks with guarantees to solve the problem of mortgage payments

- Russia's government has no plans to toughen liberal regulations on currency and money flows

Presidency

- extending the presidential term from four to six years is reasonable

- he will think about running for president again and make a decision by 2012

- he considers the power tandem with President Dmitry Medvedev "very effective"

- he has no plans to resign and there are no reasons for any government reshuffle

Social policy

- unemployment will grow from the current 1.7 million to 2 million, and pledged federal funds of $358 million to $1.8 billion to help tackle the problem

- labor quotas for foreign workers in Russia should be halved in 2009 amid the ongoing global financial crisis

- Russia's authorities are committed to increasing salaries and social payments

- Russia's employment services should set up special funds to provide assistance to Russians made redundant, adding that up to 50 billion rubles ($1.8 billion) is to be allocated for this purpose

- the state will pay maternity allowances for the birth of two or more children in advance next year and the money may be used to pay mortgages

- Russia's birth rate has reached around 7% in 2008, the highest for 15 years

- Russia has no plans to increase the retirement age

Armed Forces

- Russia's authorities have no plans to increase the length of military conscription, which is currently 12 months

- Russia's reforms to cut military personnel will be gradual and will not affect Russia's defense capability

Answering his last question "What does he like the best of all?" Putin said: "Russia."

Source: http://en.rian.ru/russia/20081204/118694135.html

Putin addresses key foreign policy concerns in Q&A session

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin addressed several sensitive foreign policy issues in his live question-and-answer session with the Russian public on Thursday. The session, Putin's first in his role as premier, was broadcast on state TV and radio and lasted over three hours. While the main focus was on the global financial crisis and its impact on the national economy, Putin also discussed a wide range of foreign policy areas, including relations with the United States, Russia's military role in Latin America, and the country's prickly relations with two ex-Soviet neighbors, Ukraine and Georgia. The premier said he expects relations with the United States to improve after Barack Obama takes office in January, and that Moscow has already noted "positive signals" from Obama's transition team on key disputes - Washington's missile defense plans for Europe and NATO's expansion. "As a rule, certain changes take place when power changes hands in any country, and this is particularly the case for the United States as a superpower. We hope these will be positive changes," he said. On the controversial U.S. plans to deploy a missile shield in Central Europe, Putin said: "We are already hearing that the need to deploy a missile defense system in Poland and a radar in the Czech Republic needs to be reviewed." The Bush administration has claimed the planned 10 interceptor missiles and radar are necessary to counter possible strikes from "rogue" states like Iran. Russia has argued the bases would upset the strategic balance of forces in Europe and threaten national security. Putin said officials in the U.S. have indicated that Russia's interests will be given more consideration in building bilateral relations. "If these are not empty words, and if they are transformed into practical policy, our reaction will certainly be appropriate, and our American partners will immediately feel this," Putin said. He also welcomed NATO's decision on Tuesday to delay Ukraine and Georgia's admission to the Membership Action Plan (MAP), a key step for entry into the military alliance. NATO's eastward expansion since the break-up of the Soviet Union has been a major source of Russian concern.

Gas sales to the EU

Putin said Russia is committed to cooperation with the European Union, which has strengthened economic stability for both sides, and expressed hope that new EU members would stop "clinging to the past" and review their attitudes to Russia. "Our joint work will improve transparency, and enhance the reliability and stability of the Russian and European economies. We will continue to pursue this policy," he said. His remarks came after the 27-nation alliance resumed talks earlier this week on a comprehensive cooperation treaty with Russia, which was suspended over its August conflict with Georgia and despite objections from the ex-Soviet Baltic state Lithuania. Putin said the EU is Russia's largest trade partner, accounting for over 50% of trade, and highlighted their growing integration in the energy sector, pointing to European companies involved in oil and gas production in Russia, and European partners' cooperation in building new gas pipelines from Russia to Europe. Russia meets a considerable portion of Europe's energy needs, making many countries uneasy over their dependence on Kremlin-controlled supplies. Russia, in turn, has been hard hit by the global credit crunch and falling oil prices, and needs reliable consumers for its natural gas. However, Putin warned that Moscow could soon notify European natural gas consumers of cuts in supplies to Ukraine - which transits about 80% of Russia's Europe-bound gas - if the country fails to pay its gas debts on time. European countries have followed relations between the former Soviet neighbors, whose bitter gas pricing row in early 2006 led to a brief cut in supplies to Ukraine and supply shortfalls reported by some consumers in Europe. "If our partners do not fulfill agreements, we will have to reduce supplies. What else can we do?" Putin said. Russia's Gazprom last month put Ukraine's outstanding debt at $2.4 billion. Some of the funds have reportedly been repaid, but Gazprom has demanded full payment, and threatened supply cuts. However, Putin pledged efforts to improve ties with Ukraine, which he said must be fair and based on market principles, and reassured that the shift to European-level prices for gas would be gradual.

Frosty ties with Georgia

On Georgia, with which Russia fought a five-day war in August sparking fierce criticism from the West, Putin said Georgia's attack on South Ossetia ended any chance the Caucasus state had of bringing its breakaway republics back under central control. He said the offensive had forced Russia to abandon any possible support for Georgia's territorial reunification. Russia recognized South Ossetia and the other separatist republic Abkhazia as independent states two weeks after the armed conflict, prompting the EU to suspend cooperation talks and triggering calls in the U.S. for ousting Russia from the G8 club. "This was a crime committed not only against Russia and its citizens and the Ossetians, but also against the Georgians, against the country's statehood," Putin said.

Warships in Venezuela

Putin moved to allay international concerns over Russia's recent naval maneuvers in the Caribbean, saying the country sees no need to set up permanent military bases in Venezuela or Cuba, but added it could use their military infrastructure. Russian and Venezuelan warships concluded on Tuesday their joint drills widely seen as Moscow's response to the U.S.' aid to Georgia after the August conflict and its missile defense plans in Europe. Russia has denied any connection.

Source: http://en.rian.ru/russia/20081204/118693811.html

[Mizzike]

Re: The Rise of the Russian Empire: Russo-Armenian Relations

Political slogans and/or religious rhetoric are simply meant for the masses - the sheeple that are asked to do the fighting and dying.

I agree....



Wait, I saw this video, and I was totally convinced otherwise.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG4fe9GlWS8


Seriously, videos like this make me want to punch my screen in and go on a homicidal rampage through Rush Limbaugh's studio. Not because I am "anti-troops" (Hell, I am joining the air Force rotc next year), but mostly because I know several Iraq veterans (that I knew from high school) who would rebuke everything this guy says. They're just the same meaningless slogans you'd hear from one of George Bush's speeches.

This is besides the topic. But it relates to comments earlier. Carry on

[Lucin]

Re: The Rise of the Russian Empire: Russo-Armenian Relations

You got it, Mike. But don't think that the traditional empires did not have ideologies to spread as a pretext/excuse for invasion and/or exploitation. The equivalent of the modern world's "democracy" for the French, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch or British empires was none other than - Christianity. [Islam for the Middle Easterners] And before Christianity it was Roman culture, and before Roman culture it was Hellenism... Just like how we try today to bring "democracy" to "third world" nations at the tip of a gun (because we know what's good for them) our western ancestors brought "Christianity" or "Roman/Hellenic Culture" to the Godless "savages" and "barbarians" at the tip of a sword for over two thousand years. And just like today, in final analysis, it was never about Christianity or any particular culture, it was always about power and plunder. Political slogans and/or religious rhetoric are simply meant for the masses - the sheeple that are asked to do the fighting and dying.

So, in the absence of Communism today, the West will try to sell its agenda against Russia as one of bringing "democracy" to a "totalitarian" [read primitive] nation...

I would even say it's basically like a form of colonialism, not in the traditional sense of the term (which is destroyed and condemned) but represented in a new, sophisticated and modern fashion.

[Armenian]

Re: The Rise of the Russian Empire: Russo-Armenian Relations

Russia Issues New Warning to West

Lavrov talks: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12RoO...e=channel_page

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has warned the West against seeking to advance its interests in former Soviet republics at the expense of Russia. Lavrov told a group of foreign businessmen meeting in Moscow his country understands that the United States and Europe have legitimate interests in the region. But he said they should build ties through "legal, understandable and transparent methods," not what he called "behind the scenes meddling," which he said leads to crisis situations. The Russian minister indirectly mentioned his country's August conflict with Georgia, and repeated Russia's opposition to U.S. plans to deploy a missile defense system in Central Europe. He said his country is counting on the future administration of Barack Obama to confirm pledges to cooperate with Russia in fighting common threats such as international terrorism and weapons proliferation. Russia calls the U.S. missile plan a threat to its security. U.S. officials say the proposal to place 10 interceptor missiles in Poland and radar guidance in the Czech Republic is aimed at protecting the European allies against threats from countries such as Iran.

Source: http://voanews.com/english/2008-12-10-voa29.cfm

Russia, Argentina tout world without US domination

Fur hat crowns fruitful presidential talks: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CW4mM...e=channel_page

The presidents of Russia and Argentina called for a world not dominated by the United States as the two countries signed deals Wednesday to cooperate in energy, agriculture and science and other areas. The agreements dealing with nuclear and conventional power, scientific research and food exports underlined Russia's growing interest in developing relations with Latin America. They come shortly after Russian President Dmitry Medvedev made a high-profile trip to the region. "The domination of one state, even the biggest, most powerful or most successful one, is unacceptable in any case," Medvedev said. After the signing, Argentinian President Cristina Fernandez expanded on the theme, complaining how "powerful states" had forced economic and security policies onto others. "We see the results of such policy — the whole planet is paying for it," she said. Medvedev and Fernandez witnessed the signings and issued a joint statement in which they "expressed support for the multilateral approach ... in the search for peaceful resolution of intergovernmental conflicts and the new problems of forming a multipolar world," a phrase implying opposition to the United States' perceived dominance of world affairs. Their joint statement also called for peaceful resolution of the dispute between Argentina and Britain over the Falkland Islands. The two countries fought a war over the South Atlantic islands in 1982, which ended with Britain retaining control. The call said the resolution should take place "in accordance with a U.N. mandate" — referring to a 1965 U.N. resolution that called for negotiations between the two countries. Britain has rejected the call for talks, saying there is nothing to negotiate since it considers the islands British.

Source: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/...haJwgD94VV9I80

Russia's trade surplus up 51.6% to $182.8 bln in Jan.-Oct.

Russia's trade surplus grew 51.6% to $182.8 billion in January-October 2008, the Federal Customs Service said on Monday. Trade totaled $636 billion in the first 10 months of the year, up 46.3% year-on-year. Trade with non-CIS countries stood at $541.6 billion, up 46.9%, while trade with CIS states totaled $94.4, up 42.6%. Russia sold 147.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas worth $55 billion during the period. Sales to non-CIS countries stood at 131.4 billion, up 10.8%, while exports to other CIS members declined 5.4% to 13.4 billion cubic meters. Sales of crude oil to non-CIS countries fell 8.1% to 170.2 million metric tons, worth $128.3 billion. Gasoline and fuel oil sales dropped 43.8% and 6.4%, respectively to 1.55 million and 27.3 million tons. Gasoline sales to CIS countries grew 33.3% to 1.55 million metric tons worth $974 million, while fuel oil sales doubled to 2.5 million tons, worth $2.2 billion. Coal exports grew 0.41% in the reporting period to 81.2 million metric tons, while revenue from coal sales increased by 41.6% to $6.2 billion. The share of food products in Russian exports dropped from 1.7% to 1.1% in January-October. Wheat exports totaled at 8.8 million tons worth $2.3 billion, of which sales to non-CIS countries grew 20.2% to 7.9 million tons. Sales of barley dropped 40.3% year-on-year. The share of vehicles and equipment in Russian imports fell from 56.3% to 53.6% in January-October. Exports of cars and trucks grew 37.7% and 39.5%, respectively.

Source: http://en.rian.ru/russia/20081208/118748544.html

Russia's General Staff announces strategic drills with Belarus

Russia's Defense Ministry has decided to intensify combat training in the Armed Forces and to hold joint military exercises with Belarus in 2009, the chief of Russia's General Staff said on Wednesday. "Combat training in the Russian Armed Forces will be more intensive. Next year we are planning to hold the Autumn-2009 and West-2009 strategic exercises, involving a large number of personnel from several military districts, fleets, and the Belarusian Armed Forces," Gen. Nikolai Makarov said at a meeting with foreign military attaches. Makarov admitted on Wednesday that August's five-day war with Georgia had revealed a number of serious drawbacks in the combat effectiveness of the Russian Armed Forces. He also said it had underlined the need for the country's ongoing military reform. "We had serious drawbacks in this conflict and learned a number of lessons. We will deal with them as soon as possible," Makarov said. Moscow launched a five-day military operation to "force Georgia to accept peace" after Tbilisi attacked South Ossetia on August 8 in an attempt to regain control over the republic, which split from Georgia in the early 1990s. A number of Russian peacekeepers and a reported 1,600 South Ossetian residents lost their lives during the Georgian attack. Makarov also said all future military exercises, from battalion level and higher, would be conducted on unfamiliar training grounds outside the military districts where the units are stationed.

Source: http://en.rian.ru/russia/20081210/118785608.html

Chechen commander killed in Turkey

A former Chechen separatist field commander has been killed in Istanbul, Turkish media reports. Islam Dzhanibekov was shot dead on Tuesday outside his apartment in the city, where he has been living for the past six years. Turkish newspaper Sabah cites a police source as saying that the killers used a Groza pistol, which is often associated with Russian special forces. Turkish police are investigating, but have not commented so far on the crime. In September 2008 another Chechen militant was killed with a Groza. Gadgy Adilsultanov died during a conflict over humanitarian aid being collected in Turkey for the Chechen Republic. The MSP Groza is a small, soundless pistol, developed for the KGB and GRU (Main Intelligence Directorate Of The Russian General Staff ) in the late 1960s and early 1970s. This compact, non-automatic weapon is practically silent thanks to a specially designed cartridge. It’s a double-barreled gun, using 7.62 x 38 caliber ammunition. The Groza remains in the arsenal of Russia’s special services.

Source: http://www.russiatoday.com/news/news/34573

[Armenian]

Re: The Rise of the Russian Empire: Russo-Armenian Relations

Wait, I saw this video, and I was totally convinced otherwise.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG4fe9GlWS8

This is profoundly sad, and a bit scary in a certain sense. No humanbeing should be this severely disassociated from the real world. There are many Americans that fall within this braindead robot's category, perhaps half the nation. And the US is the most powerful nation on earth? The mindset this "patriot" expresses is also one of the clear indicators of America's decline. In any case, see if you can instead watch serious political discourse such as this.

[I actually advise 'everybody' to watch this interview.]

It's a second Cold War: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHyKl...e=channel_page

I would even say it's basically like a form of colonialism, not in the traditional sense of the term (which is destroyed and condemned) but represented in a new, sophisticated and modern fashion.

I agree, Lucin jan. I did not use the term colonialism simply because religion (Christianity or Islam) and/or culture (Western or Eastern) were used as an excuse to colonize and exploit foreign lands. Yes, what is occurring today is a new form of colonization where the colonists are corporations and agencies instead of individuals with families.

Armenian, with all due respect, I beg to disagree here. (For once!) Communism never really existed in the USSR. There is a note of difference between commuism and socialism. I know that the term Communism was widely used in the west to desribe the Eastern Block, but it fails to reflect the 1946-1989 realities in both ex-USSR and Eastern Europe (which was in the sphere of influence)

Interesting point, Meline. Can you please expand on what you mean?