Re: The Rise of the Russian Empire: Russo-Armenian Relations
Russia's economy is far more diversified than you think it is (maybe you should take a trip there to see).
Yeh i been there a couple times it is pretty sweet. Moscow is so huge and you fill find all kinds of people there doing all kinds of business. Russia is pretty diverse in its culture, population, economy and resources. I wanted to travel to st petersburg last time but it didn't workout for me. I miss Russia (espesialy the women) but i miss Armenia even more.
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Re: The Rise of the Russian Empire: Russo-Armenian Relations
Not all economic news are bad.
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Russia's international reserves up $3.1 bln to $386.6 bln over week
MOSCOW, February 19 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's gold and foreign currency reserves increased by $3.1 billion to $386.6 billion in the week of February 6 - February 13, the Central Bank said on Thursday.
Russia's international reserves dropped by $4.6 billion to $383.5 billion in the week of January 30 - February 6.
Dollar down 33.57 kopeks, euro down 53.19 kopeks - Central Bank
MOSCOW, February 19 (RIA Novosti) - The official dollar rate set by the Russian Central Bank for February 20 is 36.0910 rubles, down 33.57 kopeks from Thursday, the Central Bank said.
The official euro rate for Friday is 45.4422 rubles, down 53.19 kopeks from Thursday.
Statistics: Russias trade surplus up 37.3% on year in 2008
Russian stock market up 4.58% (February 19)
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Re: The Rise of the Russian Empire: Russo-Armenian Relations
Kazakhstan to equip 10 battalions with S-300 air defense systems
ASTANA, February 19 (RIA Novosti) - Kazakhstan plans to equip 10 battalions with S-300 air defense missile systems bought from Russia, with deliveries to begin in 2009, a senior military official said on Thursday.
"We are considering the acquisition of 10 S-300 battalions from Russia in 2009," said Amanzhol Ospanov, head of the Kazakh Defense Ministry's weapons and materiel department.
The official added that each battalion "would comprise four launchers and support equipment," which could include a mobile command post and a target-designation radar.
Although Ospanov was not specific about a particular version of the S-300, he said that these systems had previously been in service with the Russian Armed Forces and would be delivered to Kazakhstan after being overhauled.
The latest version of the S-300 family is the S-300PMU2 Favorit, which has a range of up to 195 kilometers (about 120 miles) and can intercept aircraft and ballistic missiles at altitudes from 10 meters to 27 kilometers.
It is considered one of the world's most effective all-altitude regional air defense systems, comparable in performance to the U.S. MIM-104 Patriot system.
Ospanov said Kazakhstan has no plans of buying Russia's most advanced S-400 Triumph air defense systems in the near future "because of their high price."
Russia announced last year it was planning to expand military-technical cooperation with members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and set up an integrated air defense network with them.
The CSTO is a post-Soviet security grouping comprising Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.
Kazakh Defense Minister Danial Akhmetov said on February 12 that the delivery of S-300 systems "would help the republic's integration into the CSTO and significantly enhance the protection of the country's airspace."
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Re: The Rise of the Russian Empire: Russo-Armenian Relations
Furthermore....
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Train to cross Russia with U.S. cargo for Afghanistan leaves Riga
RIGA (Latvia), February 19 (RIA Novosti) - A train carrying non-lethal supplies for the U.S. military in Afghanistan has left a cargo terminal at the Latvian port of Riga for transit through Russia, a source in the port administration said on Thursday.
"The train has left the Riga port heading for transit to Afghanistan through Russian territory," the source said.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Monday that a consignment of U.S. non-military cargos was being prepared in the Latvian capital of Riga for transit to Afghanistan via Russia, and would soon be dispatched.
Russia and NATO signed a framework agreement on the transit of non-military cargos in April 2008, and a subsequent Russia-U.S. deal was signed in January.
Due to worsening security on the main land route from Pakistan and the expected closure of a U.S. airbase in Kyrgyzstan, NATO has to rely on alternative routes to supply the U.S.-dominated International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan.
There are over 60,000 foreign troops in Afghanistan, more than half of them from the United States, and President Barack Obama has recently ordered another 17,000 U.S. soldiers to the war-ravaged country.
Despite the recent deterioration in relations with NATO, Russia has continued to support the military alliance's operations in Afghanistan, fearing the worsening security situation and the steadily growing opium production in the country.
Several NATO nations, including France, Germany and Canada, already transport so-called non-lethal supplies to their contingents in Afghanistan via Russia under bilateral agreements.
The "northern corridor" for U.S. transshipments through Russia would likely cross into Kazakhstan and then Uzbekistan before entering northern Afghanistan.
U.S. officials earlier said 20 to 30 trainloads a week could go from Latvia to Afghanistan if the route is a success.
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Re: The Rise of the Russian Empire: Russo-Armenian Relations
Closure of Kyrgyz base is not only a blow to US war in Afghanistan, but also a retreat in front of a resurgent Russia which is reasserting itself in the area.
ZORAVAR
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Kyrgyz parliament votes to close U.S. airbase
BISHKEK, February 19 (RIA Novosti) - Kyrgyzstan's parliament voted overwhelmingly on Thursday to approve a presidential proposal to close a U.S. airbase used to support NATO operations in nearby Afghanistan since 2001.
The move to close the base was supported by 78 lawmakers, with one against. The pro-presidential Ak Zhol party has 70 seats in the single-chamber, 90-member legislature.
President Kurmanbek Bakiyev announced plans to close the only U.S.base in Central Asia after talks in Moscow in early February, when he secured more than $2 billion in aid and loans.
Both Russia and Kyrgyzstan have denied any link between the aid deal and the closure of the base, located a short distance from the capital, Bishkek.
Bakiyev said Washington had refused to pay more for the base. He also linked the move to the conduct of U.S. military personnel, including the killing of a Kyrgyz national by a U.S. soldier in December 2006.
Kabai Karabekov, the head of the parliament's foreign affairs committee, said that the closure of the base would not mean that Kyrgyzstan was declining to fight terrorism anymore.
"All interested countries should probably change their attitude toward the Afghan problem. As time has shown, a military doctrine for restoring order in Afghanistan does not work. The U.S. military contingent has been in this country for eight years and the situation is only worsening," the lawmaker said.
"There are many other ways to resolve the conflict in Afghanistan, but it is impossible to force Afghanistan at gunpoint to live in line with Western standards," he added.
The vote to close the base comes as U.S. President Barack Obama announced he would send an additional 17,000 soldiers to Afghanistan to fight Taliban and Al-Qaeda fighters. The move will increase the U.S. contingent to more than 50,000 personnel.
Russia, which has an airbase in Kant, a short distance from the Manas base, recently said it was ready to broaden cooperation with Washington on non-military supplies to Afghanistan via the so called "northern corridor," which is likely to cross Russia into Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan before entering northern Afghanistan.
The base closure bill is still to be signed by the president. Once Bakiyev does this, the Kyrgyz government will notify the United States, giving it 180 days to withdraw some 1,200 personnel, aircraft and other equipment.
There is as yet no information on when Bakiyev will sign the bill into law.
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Re: The Rise of the Russian Empire: Russo-Armenian Relations
Sukhoi confirms Su-35 deliveries to Russian Air Force in 2011
MOSCOW, February 19 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's Sukhoi aircraft maker confirmed on Thursday that the advanced Su-35 Flanker multi-role fighter would enter service with the Russian Air Force in 2011.
"The current progress of the Su-35 testing program confirms the earlier announced timeframe for the deliveries of the aircraft to Russian and foreign customers in 2011," the company said in a statement.
The first two Su-35 prototypes have successfully conducted 87 flights since July 2008, demonstrating the aircraft's superior technical and combat characteristics. (Russia's Su-35 fighter makes first demonstration flight - Image Gallery)
Sukhoi is planning to add a Russia's Su-35 fighter to the testing program in 2009, and boost the current number of test flights to 150-160.
The Su-35 fighter, powered by two 117S engines with thrust vectoring, combines high maneuverability and the capability to effectively engage several air targets simultaneously using both guided and unguided missiles and weapon systems.
The aircraft features the new Irbis-E radar with a phased antenna array, which allows the pilot to detect and track up to 30 air targets, while simultaneously engaging up to eight targets.
It is equipped with a 30-mm cannon with 150 rounds and can carry up to eight tons of combat payload on 12 external mounts. (VIDEO)
The company earlier said it planned to produce the new aircraft, billed as "4++ generation using fifth-generation technology," over a period of 10 years up to 2020.
The company is expecting to export at least 160 Su-35 fighters in the future to a number of countries, including India, Malaysia and Algeria.
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The head of Sukhoi is no other than Mikhail POGOSYAN. He has beem recently appointed as chairman of the UAC which also owns MiG.
ZORAVARLeave a comment:
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Re: The Rise of the Russian Empire: Russo-Armenian Relations
Interesting points jgk3. Thanks for taking the time and putting the effort in writing a lenghty article
Maybe I am misunderstanding you, but I am getting the impression that you are thinking of Russia as some kind of Saudi Arabia who's wealth and economy is primarily dependent on oil exports and the price of oil.Originally posted by jgk3 View Post
That is so far from the truth, Russia's economy is far more diversified than you think it is (maybe you should take a trip there to see). As a matter of fact, oil and gas only contribute to 5.7% of Russia's GDP.
Yes, oil, natural gas, metals, and timber account for more than 80% of Russian exports. But these constitute only a small fraction (5.7%) of their economy.
As for what measures they are taking to weather the economic crisis and how well they will work...we can all speculate here as much as we want. It is too early to pass judgement.
We all hope for the best.
I think you are giving too much credit to the "Western elite"...as if they are some kind of Gods (from the Greek mythology) controlling people and nations. Regardless whether they are people or a system: they are not Gods, they are not infallible, they can be wrong, and their plans do not always succeed...they can also backfire and blow up against their face.This is a dangerous situation to be in, especially considering the upcoming storm. I do hope the best for Russia, and though I am impressed with their feats with Gazprom and with the goals they have set in modernizing their military, I fear it is not enough to shield them from the onslaught perpetrated by the Western elite who control a fire that could ignite the entire world. I feel they are using these artificially generated conditions not only out of greed towards the populations they govern directly, but as an economic, strategically induced weather condition that will hammer Russia where it hurts perhaps the most, it's domestic economic health.
They know that they cannot cut off the head to kill the body with Putin around, so they've going after the body again by instantiating a globalized threat that Russia could do nothing to exempt itself from. You can win a fight in a battlefield, or through oil routes, but what do you do when your opponent has decided to poison the very air the populations of the world need to breathe and to face you off based on how well you can recuperate from this poisoning, knowing you will get more poisoned by it and are counting on your grander strategies which ensure your survival, to at some point, crack and fail.
They think they have the edge here and Putin has yet to prove them otherwise. I do hope he can, but I will not cover my eyes and hope, I will watch the whole dramatic scenario unfold from beginning to end.
But for a moment, let us assume that it is indeed this "Anglo-American elite" that has started this economic crisis with the aim of weakening Russia and/or China: what have they achieved so far?
-They screwed up the average American citizen more than anybody else in the world. A sizable chunk of the US population is in negative equity situation (Canadians, Europeans, Russians, Chinese are faring somewhat better). And I am not yet talking about US industry (Car manufacturers, Banks etc.)...
-Some countries are already bankrupt or on the verge of bankrupcy (Iceland, Ukraine, Hungary, Latvia...) most are ruled by pro-"Western elite" governments (puppets).
-The Russians that lost the most so far are no other than the oligarchs (Abramovich, Deripaska etc.) who lost the lion's share of the wealth they had accumulated during and after the demise of the SU. As we all know most of these oligarch are of x-ish decent...
And I can go on and on.
This Machiavelic plan (if there is such a plan at all) of the West has so far caused mainly self mutilation.
Russia is hurt too and no doubt will be hurt further...but not to the same extent as the US and Europe.
If indeed such a malicious plan with long term diabolic goals has been put in action, I wish it fails sooner rather than later with the minimum damage caused to everyone.
I share your views and strongly agree with these points.I do see some strategies coming out of Putin however... endorsing the Russian Orthodox Church. Cynics call such religious institutions as an "opium" for the people, however, in my eyes, I think that though it is in the interests of the state to keep Russians optimistic through religion, and if they Russian people succeed through these difficult times, they will be able to reap the benefits in the future as survivors of this Western onslaught to finally seize their nation's resources and put them back under their own globalistic/neo-mercantilistic orbit. I consider my attitude to this as recognizing the good out of a far from ideal form of leadership out of a nation as I do not agree the civilization today has been reduced to men living solely based on economic considerations. I could only wish that a truly spiritual consciousness will arise in Russians as this transcends the economic threats and demotivation thrown at them by the modern West. I will be considering the statistics on alcoholism as indicative of any such spiritual and disciplinary improvements.
Would like to add the following: I know many Russian and I speak a little bit of Russian (learned it by myself). They remember too well the dark 90's, the privatizations, the promises (lies) of the West an NATO etc.etc. The Georgia war is also a recent memory. They have voted for Putin/Medvedev not because of the improving economy and living standard, but because of pride, patriotism etc. Russians went back to basics and looked at their history, heritage, culture...all these meant much more than living standards and consumerism. And yes, they are also embracing back religion, they call themselves ORTHODOX Christians.
Finally, just to illustrate your post further. While fighting Chechen radicals or pushing back Georgian troops, the often heard battcry of young Russian soldiers was: HRISTOS VASKRYES (Christ has risen).Last edited by ZORAVAR; 02-20-2009, 06:39 AM.Leave a comment:
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Re: The Rise of the Russian Empire: Russo-Armenian Relations
Analysis: Poles, Czechs fear loss of bases
By VANESSA GERA
KRAKOW, Poland (AP) Poland and the Czech Republic enraged Russia by backing a U.S. plan to put missile bases in their countries.
Now, as the Obama administration signals a willingness to reverse course ahead of a NATO defense ministers meeting starting Thursday, those two countries are fearful of being left out on a limb with their giant neighbor nursing a grudge.
If Washington scraps the project, the decision will be seen by Eastern Europe long under the Soviet yoke as a major concession to Moscow and, quite possibly, a tacit acceptance of the view that Russia should have more say in its traditional sphere of influence.
"A lot of people put a stake in this project and they will feel disappointed even betrayed" if it fails, said Andrzej Jodkowski, director of the Polish branch of the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance, a U.S.-based group that favors the shield.
While missile defense is not on the agenda of the NATO meeting, it's certain to come up.
Polish Defense Minister Bogdan Klich said Wednesday ahead of the alliance's gathering in Krakow that he was waiting "with great interest" on what U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates would have to say on the project.
"We Poles are most interested in whether the commitments the U.S. signed with us last year the deal about a missile defense installation in Poland will be kept," Klich said. "I hope that will happen ... and that the installation will be placed in Poland."
Missile defense already featured prominently at the Munich Security Conference earlier this month where Vice President Joe Biden repeated the Obama administration stance that the system needs to be reliable and not detract from other security priorities an implicit signal that Washington was assessing whether or not to go through with the plan.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov responded by reiterating Moscow's threat to deploy missiles on Poland's border if any U.S. system were deployed, but also touted his country's counterproposal to work with the U.S. on a joint defense network of their own.
Despite American assurances that the bases wouldn't target Russia, Moscow sees U.S. military installations so close to its borders as a threat.
And it's clear that Poland and the Czech Republic themselves see the bases as insurance against future Russian aggression. Both countries were Soviet satellite states that developed into enthusiastic pro-Western democracies in the 20 years since the end of the Cold War.
But 45 years of being under Moscow's sway is hard to forget especially with Russia showing renewed combativeness with a gas cutoff to Europe and its rapid deployment of troops, guns and tanks during a conflict last summer with Georgia.
Mindful of Russia's growing assertiveness, Poland and the Czech Republic have nurtured a friendship with the U.S. the great hope during decades of communism and curried favor and support by participating in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, despite the unpopularity of the latter across the continent.
Former President George W. Bush sealed deals in 2008 with Warsaw and Prague that would see 10 missile defense interceptors placed in northern Poland by 2012, with a linked radar base near Prague.
Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski said last week that Poland still stands ready to accept the site, but acknowledged the growing uncertainty of the project's fate. He said that even if it falls through, Poland won't let the Americans back away from their pledge of closer military cooperation.
Andrew Kuchins, director of the Russia and Eurasia program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, said it would be unlikely for the U.S. to leave Warsaw and Prague completely in the cold.
Based on talks with members of the new administration and an analysis of its public statements, Kuchins said he expects that even if the U.S. delays or scraps the plan, it would take steps to ensure that Prague and Warsaw "save face."
Such steps could include following through on promises the U.S. made in exchange for the two countries accepting the planned sites. The U.S. pledged greater scientific exchange with the Czech Republic, and agreed to help modernize the Polish military and beef up its security with a Patriot missile battery.
"I would be surprised if the Obama administration simply walked away from the agreements reached in the past year with Poland and the Czech Republic," Kuchins said. "In international relations, credibility and trust are important."
Vanessa Gera has covered eastern Europe since 2001.
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Report: Moscow freezes sale of S-300 to Iran
Russia has frozen the sale of the state-of-the-art S-300 anti-aircraft missiles to Iran, the Russian newspaper Kommersant reported Wednesday.
Iranian Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar was reportedly informed of the decision by his Russian counterpart Anatoly Serdyukov on his visit to Moscow on Wednesday.
Russia said the delivery of the systems would be delayed at least until the upcoming meeting between President Dmitry Medvedev and his US counterpart, Barack Obama. Kommersant cited Russia's wish to prevent hindering dialogue with the new US administration.
Military diplomatic sources were quoted by Kommersant as saying that the issue had been the focus of Najjar's visit.
Israel Radio quoted Moscow sources as saying that apart form the gesture to the Americans, Russia also wanted to avoid ruining a $100 million drone purchase from Israel.
On Tuesday, Kommersant that Russia and Iran had already signed an $800 million deal for five of the S-300 systems, but Moscow had not yet decided whether to ratify the sale.
The S-300 is one of the most advanced multi-target anti-aircraft missile systems in the world, and has a reported ability to track up to 100 targets simultaneously while engaging up to 12. If Iran were provided with the system, it would significantly complicate any Israeli or US strikes on Iranian nuclear installations.
The S-300 system was first deployed by the USSR in 1979 and was designed to defend large industrial and administrative facilities and military bases, and to control airspace against enemy aircraft.
It has a range of about 200 km. and can hit targets at altitudes of 27,000 meters. Iran already has Russian-made TOR-M1 surface-to-air missiles, but they have a shorter range than the S-300.
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Re: The Rise of the Russian Empire: Russo-Armenian Relations
I don't see anything coming out of this?
Turkey is still NATO's playground.Leave a comment:
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