A New Cold War?

[Kruska]

one think that no one could explain to me in a satisfactory way:

why nuclear weapons are allowed and poison gas dont ?

i think is ridiculous, you can´t poison the air that your enemy breathes but you can disintegrate them.

why dont outlaw nukes ?

Hello JugBR,

First off all nukes cost a hell a lot of $$$ to develop and deploy – so who wants to write of this investment in his balance sheet?

Secondly, those who have them rule the world via indirect usage as a veto member in the UN and the development of nukes by others is an easy task to check on and to control.

Gas can be developed, bought and deployed by any jackass at attractive price ranges and to control the possession of gas by others in regards to quantity available, quality and deploy devices is more or less impossible.

So the rulers of this planet came up with the remarkable conclusion; Ban gas – Control nukes.

I hope this might help to explain this in a satisfactory way

Regards
Kruska

 

[Gnomey]

Correct on that point Kruska but at the end of the day Tim has hit the nail on the head, so long has Russia as resources that are required by the West then it is unlikely to become a new cold war.

However as Chris has said Putin certainly has an agenda he wishes to follow using his main strategic asset, Oil. Whilst both countries still have Nukes (and a lot of them) they won't need to be used if you control the others oil supply. A new cold war is only possible/likely to happen is when the West becomes self sufficient in oil/energy production. Even then I still think it is unlikely but in the near future Russia is going to dominate her neighbours over the energy issue but this won't occur to the same extent with those countries in Western Europe/NATO members. Russia wants to be seen as a Superpower again but I'm not sure they will go so far as to antagonise the NATO powers - only those smaller neighbouring countries which rely on them for the energy production needs.

 

[Kruska]

Gnomey................
Russia wants to be seen as a Superpower again but I'm not sure they will go so far as to antagonise the NATO powers - only those smaller neighbouring countries which rely on them for the energy production needs.

Hello Gnomey,

Yes agreed. Germany however might be the most unstable factor within NATO due to its dependence on Russia's oil and gas supplies. On the other hand one could argue that Russia's dependency on Germanys Petro Euros could counterbalance its desperate need for recognition as a superpower.

It all depends on the "mental balance" or "Russian Soul" of Mr. Putin.

Regards
Kruska

 

[JugBR]

kurska, what happened with that old idea of joint all UE armys in one single european army ? i remember mario soares, former prime minister of portugal said that once.

do you rhink a single european army, navy and air force should make europe as a whole more decisive in international issues ?

also in this case, would you think nato should be dismiss and the american bases in euope should be disactivated ?

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Another cold war is unlikely in the same sense as the last cold war. It is highly unlikely that the Russian Federation will go back to communism. .

So since when does a cold war have to because Russia returns to Communism. Never said anthing about them returning to Communism...

I bet if the Soviet Union was only Socialists during the Cold War we still would have a Cold War. Come on now!

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

The same people that ran the country earlier are still in power its just a new look or as they say in advertising the New and Improved USSR. I sure hope there a new and improved Chamberlain

Ditto!

Dont forget that Putin was KGB, no matter how minor his role was.

I would be lying if I said I did not have distrust for him.

 

[FLYBOYJ]

All true, Putin was KGB, but was he a die-hard communist? I don't think so. I think Putin is out for Putin.

 

[pbfoot]

All true, Putin was KGB, but was he a die-hard communist? I don't think so. I think Putin is out for Putin.

The same as every previous Russian ruler

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

And 99% of politicians to be exact.

 

[JugBR]

but if you see how was russia when yeltsin left the chair and now, youll see that puttin raise their economy. dont think oil is the only reason for that.the level of investments in russia now is bigger, because the country overpass the great economic crisis.

economy is a strong of puttin.

 

[Milos Sijacki]

Once again, Matt hit the nail on the head.

However, that being said, it's pretty much up to Russia (read: Putin) as to whether or not there WILL be another Cold War; I don't think Putin wants another Cold War, but he does want a world where other Powers (in particular the US) will take him and his country seriously. It pretty much comes down to pride, good old Russian pride and, by extension, domestic political power within Russia. He will push others around, when necessary, but he doesn't want a full-blown confrontation with the West. I think you're right again, Matt, the Ukraine is next.

I agree. I personally think that is the case, to show that Russia is no more a weak country, but a strong one. A country that deserves respect, a country to be looked upon.

You really think Ukraine is next? Why?

 

[Milos Sijacki]

Personally, I like Putin, I wish we in Serbia had a poltician like him-- decisive and intelligent.

Actually, I think the world could use another Tito, I mean a politician of his skills and reputation. He did make Yugoslavia known and respected world wide.

 

[JugBR]

my great-grandfather was tito´s fan

 

[Erich]

Putin has an adjenda as Bill said on the first page, he wants Mideast oil and is playing the bluff game with Muslim nations hoping for a quick strike. think the Georgia, Ukraine or anything else he has up on his collar is just a draw for something that he and the govt. are developing under darkness ............ just watch

funny we have chatted about this since our first little mission over in the mid-east under Bushy Sr. when most of you were not even members

 

[Kruska]

kurska, what happened with that old idea of joint all UE armys in one single european army ? ............

Hello JugBR,

There is a Euro Brigade at present in addition to the French-German and Dutch-German Brigade. These Brigades are going to be increased, but I do not believe that this envisioned Euro Army will ever become a mature alternative to the present NATO.

IMO there is no EU in reflection to a joint interest of Europe's population willing to become one State with a common government. But rather a loose alliance of European countries who regard the EU rather as a territory without import duty tax, a possibility to get their hands on subsidized funds (e.g. Ireland) and to act as a more weighted power towards the US and other powers.

At present we have two political power systems, the EU Parliament verses the National governments of the respective individual nations. To me the whole setup of the present EU is an ill borne idea, originating from the Post WWII and Cold War period and not suitable for the creation of a realistic USE.

The US and other powers are certainly pleased about this situation and will certainly take every chance to instigate or add fuel onto a brawl among the EU members.

Regards
Kruska

 

[Matt308]

Yep, I as a US citizen ultimately desire chaos for my european brethren. That would benefit me economically, militarily, and socially.

 

[stasoid]

The Cold War didnt end with the fall of the Berlin Wall. The Bear was on its knees pushed to the corner. Now he's standing up. We came to the point where we either kill him or leave him alone.

Russia is a self-sufficient country. It has everything a country needs: people, territory, natural resorses. Can survive without the West whatsoever.

America, on the other hand, is in a desperate hunt for oil and will crash everyone who's on its way as situation with natural resources will now worsen year after year. It's not a secret - oil for US is like blood for a vampire.
20 years from now China alone will consume same amount of oil and gas as the whole World today. So, who knows what the US is gonna do then, but Russia has to stay alert anyways.

 

[Kruska]

Yep, I as a US citizen ultimately desire chaos for my european brethren. That would benefit me economically, militarily, and socially.

Who ever mentioned CHAOS? I wrote a brawl

Fact is that every country has its own interests, such as Germany, the US or any other country, and sometimes these do not allow harmony or a common goal.
What is so difficult to understand or accept about this issue? What is it that you or the US could fear so much about an independent country or a possible power such as a USE?

Regards
Kruska

 

[Kruska]

Russia is a self-sufficient country. It has everything a country needs: people, territory, natural resorses. Can survive without the West whatsoever.

Hello stasoid,

With all respect to your country and your national pride, you forgot the 35 Billion Euro that your country has received so far from the West, in order to survive until today.

Regards
Kruska

 

[Matt308]

The US and other powers are certainly pleased about this situation and will certainly take every chance to instigate or add fuel onto a brawl among the EU members.

Regards
Kruska

Whatever, Kruska. Keep 'em coming. You're winning hearts and minds over here.