Russia’s Serbia strategy exposed
February 22, 2008 12:00 pm Economics and FinanceA polarizing power-hungry president, soon to leave office, is exerting all the levers at his disposal to exploit the energy market potential of a small state, with the aim of tipping global influence his way. Oh, and his name is Vladimir Putin. A good analysis of byzantine Russian diplomatic thuggery and the necessity of following the money.
Glendronach

melwilde :
Date: February 22, 2008 @ 12:50 pm
Mr Putin has spent his whole life as a trained leader of the old KGB. To think that a leopard changes his spots is ludicrous. We will see more of Putin’s grand strategy unfold around the world. Makes a person wonder why Germany doesn’t want to live up to it’s NATO role. Just ask Vlademir who controls the oil. Anyone who doesn’t see the connection between the deaths of
media writers and the Putin power group is to say the least, blind.
Mr Putin may be leaving office,but he isn’t leaving power!
Dalwhinnie :
Date: February 25, 2008 @ 9:36 am
I have no objection to any of Mr Szrom’s comments about Russia’s motives or methods. I still think that the rapid US recognition of Kosovar independence was a mistake. The Serbians were holding down a piece of Europe from Muslim control, to put it most bluntly. What interests do we have in international law, in realpolitik, or in any other way to assist their independence? I ask about our interests from our point of view. I don’t mind pissing off the Russians if by doing so we achieve our goals, but so far this recognition seems gratuitous and not in our interests. I would like to hear some cynical and politically realistic argument why I should change my mind, because, in relation to the Balkans, that is the only kind of argument that would be persuasive. Over to you, Arran Gold.
Arran Gold :
Date: February 26, 2008 @ 6:04 pm
The difficulty faced by Serbs is similar to problems in other parts of the world where Muslims have gained a foothold. Their rapidly expanding numbers make it difficult to manage countries in which they inhabit. That is one of the reasons that Israelis must give Palestinians their own state or they will simply drown in their own country. That is the root cause and one must propose proper solution rather than temporize and obfuscate.