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The
Russian aggression in Europe and Georgia is a threat to global
peace
by Ebey Soman
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this Article • About
the Author • Bibliography/Sources
Russia is now pursuing an
imperialistic path like never before - returning to its former
glory of the Soviet Days. Each day we see a world increasing
into the "west" and the "rest" - a bipolar
society reflective of the Cold War era. Yes indeed, we are
entering into a new era of a global cold war and Georgia is
just simply one of the battlegrounds.
When The Commonwealth of
Independent States (CIS) was created in 1991, the world thought
Soviet Union was over and its satellite states will return
to a state of normalcy and peace. Recently however, Russia
has begun large scale rebuilding of its military prowness,
recommissioning World War II era long range bombers to patrol
the European and Asian skies, and signing military deals with
surrounding nations. But it does not end with the military
either, Russia has begun to buy the gas pipelines, oil shells,
Baltic sea trading ports and any other economically beneficial
resource from its former satellite states. Today Russia controls
almost 90% of the energy supply (gas and oil) that goes into
Europe.
Soon after wards, Russia
began to make alliances with countries the world did not cooperate
with. It started with Iraq while Saddam was in power and then
with Iran - helping them build its Nuclear "power"
reactors. Then it got Syria on its side and created a economically
mutual understanding with China. Then something ticked Russia
off and that is the fact that some of its former satellite
states that were in The Commonwealth of Independent States
(CIS) are starting to look towards the West for political,
economic and military assistance.
Western nations wary of the
Russian assistance for nuclear research, technology and reactors
to Iran began to think of ways to defend themselves. Despite
Russia's mounting opposition, the Czech Republic, Poland,
Britain and all of the former critics of the US Missile Shield
are quiet as the project in Europe continues to near completion
to provide European nations with Missile (ICBM and more) defense.
What was Russia's immediate reaction? Russia immediately responded
by having its Tu-160 Supersonic long ranged nuclear bombers
to be stationed in Cuba as deterrent to the US Missile Shield.
The suggestion of Russian nuclear weapons in Cuba is reminiscent
of the 1962 Cuban missile crisis that followed the discovery
of Soviet missile bases on the Caribbean island.
Since the fall of communism,
Moscow watched as NATO continued to expand almost to its borders,
incorporating most of the countries in the former Eastern
Bloc. What pains Russia is seeing its former Soviet states
joining NATO or working closely with the West. Thus Russia
began a campaign of Intimidation. Thus European Union is waking
up to the fact that there is a growing Russia problem. These
include - and here I am quoting - "the hate week' against
Georgia, the cyber-attack on Estonia, the Litvinenko murder,
the constant pressure on free speech and democracy, Russian
recalcitrance over Kosovo, Russia's threat to pull-out of
the CFE treaty; the threats made to Poles over missile defense
and Russia's possible recognition of Abkhazia."
But this is just the tip
of the Iceberg, more tensions are rising and a Russian-gas
dependent Europe is confused as to how to deal with Russia.
Germany's Chancellor was condemned for being "too accommodating"
towards Russia's increasing aggression. However Russia is
using its 3rd largest oil reserve in the world and the largest
gas reserves to intimidate the West. Russian companies have
enjoyed huge profits thanks to a recent oil boom and the fact
that Russian government is taking over private companies and
consolidating them to the state. When pro-western governments
were elected in Latvia, Ukraine and Georgia, the Russian government
turned off the gas pipelines to those respective countries
- refusing to sell the needed resoruces for their countries.
In Belarus, when it got too "friendly" with NATO,
Russia doubled the price of gas there.
But it does not just end
in a economic cold war. Georgia for years have been lodging
complaints at the United Nations and with Russia for Russian
aggression and violation of National Sovereignty. Everything
from a gas embargo to Russian Missiles to Russian Jets have
been thrown at the small pro-western nation of Georgia. Since
the 1990s, Russia has begun an intensive campaign to ensure
that the rebels in Georgia are armed with Russian weapons
and has begun to support the separatist movement. Russian
"peacekeepers" were deployed to stop Georgian troops
from defending their nation and from striking at the rebels
while the rebels carry out terrorist hit and run attacks on
the country.
This is a gross violation
of national sovereignty and the world is not doing anything.
The world does not do anything because Europe needs Russian
oil and gas, The Middle East needs Russian weapons and support
and The United Nation permanent security council member with
a veto power is Russia - making anything aganist Russia to
fail at the Security Council. Now much of these ideals are
at war in Georgia.
However, there are some positive
news. Russia recently tried to make territorial claims with
China - a move that is seen as some sort of intimidation method
by the Russian. This move has driven a deeper schism between
China and Russia relationship - a break that the US is looking
to take advantage of. US is thus trying to work closer to
China economically and politically. The changes are shown
recently as China takes American side in opposing Iranian
nuclear power while the US softens its language aganist Chinese
Human Rights violations.
Today, we see a Russia that
now controls the Baltic nations with the power of "black
gold" or oil. Russia has begun to arm rebels in Georgia
and the states that are becoming pro-western. Upon International
recognition of Kosovo, Russia has begun to see Southern Ossezia
(Georgian territory occupied by Russian troops and Georgian
rebels) as an independent nation. Georgia who repeatedly called
for Russia to stop meddling with Georgia politics simply got
sick of all the aggression. Thus Georgian troops began to
storm Southern Ossezia to being it back under its control.
But there is a bigger stake riding on this. This is a Cold
War battle being fought between Russia and its former satellite
state of Georgia.
If Georgia wins, it will
show the power of the western states and give more credibility
to the small nation surrounded by large neighbors. However,
this is unlikely as Russia simply outguns the Georgians. As
far as Russia sees this, The Georgian conflict is a message
to the world and to the former Satellite states - that is
Do Not Mess with Russia. The message is being to these Baltic
and European nations that Russia is the boss around here and
being pro-western won't save you.
But Georgia is fighting back
with all of its resources because the country depends on this.
If Russia wins, there is a chance the nation will simply fall
apart. The Russians are also seeking to make sure Georgia
is not accepted into the NATO and making sure the country
is unstable is the easiest and the best way to make sure the
country does not get into the NATO. Russia is wary of the
NATO's ever expanding membership.
So what will this new Cold
War Era lead to? Only time will tell but if ask any political
analyst, we can clearly see a new bipolar world emerging.
Most religious Christians will tell you that it is exactly
what is mentioned in the Bible. Bible predicts that Russia
must come to power and that it will rally the middle eastern
nations with it - a trend we are starting to see today. Whatever
the current situation is, we are starting to see a battle
of ideas, politics and concepts - a war that cannot be easily
defined as "good vs. evil."
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ABOUT
THE AUTHOR:
Ebey P. Soman is a student
at Saint John's University and is deeply interested in writing
about current events, philosophical, religious and social
topics of interest. He is currently a published author in
Triond, Helium and various other websites. Ebey is also an
active member of organizations such as Peniel Revival Ministries
Inc, Amnesty International, ONE Campaign and Save Darfur.
A simple Google search can bring further information about
this author and his many eclectic articles. See his personal
page for his background and a list of his articles.
BIBLIOGRAPHY/SOURCES
USED:
(see the article for source
information)
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