Several protracted phone calls between President Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin have not closed the gap between the two sides on the Ukraine situation.
The US is maintaining Crimea must belong to Ukraine forever, irrespective of the wishes of its voters, who overwhelmingly called for accession into Russia. Putin, by contrast, is backing Crimean self-determination, and also uncomfortable with the cozy US relationship with a Ukrainian interim government installed after violent protests ousted the elected, pro-Russia government.
These are not minor issues, and with no deal at hand, many say the relationship between the two rulers is nearing a “breaking point” that could see US-Russian ties virtually non-existent for years to come.
The Obama Administration is treating its split with Russia the same way it has treated acrimony with any other nation, imposing unilateral sanctions and vowing to leave Russia “isolated.”
Isolation is unlikely, as though Russian economic ties may focus on the Pacific instead of Europe the nation remains an important trading power. Rather, Russia is expected to retaliate with sanctions of their own in the coming days, sparking a sanctions war that is just going to add fuel to the fire, meaning ties are set to get worse, not better.
I'd like to see a more detailed discussion of what sort of sanctions Russia might apply to the U.S. Hopefully they will be something with teeth that can help to erode the power of our rulers, so that one day we, too, can break away from a state that no longer serves our interests.
How many years before large numbers of Americans flee to Russia looking for work, freedom and stability? And it's not as if we'd do all that well in the mail order bride market!
If I were Putin, I would wait until winter and respond by shutting down the gas pipelines. At the Russian border, I would then paint the empty pipes with that ever-so-American refrain "Suck on this."
To be quite honest I think the world was safer and more just under the mutual threat of nuclear destruction. As it happens the dissolution of the Soviet empire caused America to go on a rampage, attacking defenseless nations and peoples, destroying countries and cultures with reckless abandon. Now that the United States has gone a bridge too far in threating a country with military might and nuclear weapons and the neo-con bullies have had their nose bloodied, and as with all bullies they are angry, but can do little about it. The Russians are not like the Palestinian women and children Israel uses for target practice, nor is Putin Gadaffi, or Saddam, while Russia is definitely no Libya or Iraq.
Iran, Snowden, economic manipulation, Syria, Crimea – the list of FedGov setbacks and defeats just keeps on growing. Not to worry, though, because John McCain has a scheme to double down and win it all back in an ace.
Since you brought it up, sorta, McCain definitely wasn't an ace…he's an ass.
Russia turning towards the Pacific would be very helpful. Most of the resources that we call "Russian" are actually located in Russia's Caucasian, Siberian and Arctic empire, in lands inhabited by Middle Eastern or Oriental people. Since this is the century of Asia, it would be logical to sell those resources in Asia. Oil hungry China would probably be delighted and, sooner or later, the native peoples of the empire will want their independence. Equally, that will switch the focus of the Russian oligarchs (but not of ordinary Russians!) away from Europe. Other than Gremany, little of the EU's resources come from Russia but much more from Norway (an EEA Member State) and Algeria (via French companies) and that is to say nothing of Scottish oil and gas, plus recent finds off the coast of Ireland. A sanctions-driven "pivot" towards Asia would probably be a step in the right direction.
Actually only one possible scenario other than Doomsday.
And it is….
America economy collapses and the US Dollar becomes worthless. All Ameicans taxed and unemployed into abject poverty. American military abandons all foreign areas and retreats to only mainland protections. America is a new polluted, trashed, 3rd world nation that bows down to other nations and in every way pacifies those nations for the purpose of keeping peace. US Government collapses in total.
Have a nice day.
Gee I've only heard that about 10 million times before, starting back in the 20th Century. Can't you be a little more creative with your apocalyptic visions? What's next, heralding the rise of the Morlocks and the Eloi?
I read in Asian media that the relations between the two are over. Russia does not expect anything from Obama administration, and will let the relationship just vegetate. It is Obama who keeps on calling, and having marathon conversations, without acutally saying anything new. The decision to recognize and support the violent takeover of govenment in Kyev, and subsequent muscling in of hard core nazi parties and groups — is the red line for Moscow. All the wheeling and dealing with such government, including signing the accord with EU — is an absurdity on such a scale, that in fact I suspect this to be an excuse for US to trample on Europe again, just as it happened 1991-1999 over Balkans. Just another trick to keep NATO alive, after many members, especially Germany, refused to participate in adventures in Libya and Syria. Otherwise, there would be no way we would accept people with baseball bats and chains, breaking in and divving up offices amongst themselves. And now, confering with NATO and EU, while the country is breaking up.
Maybe Obama should have the First Scold give Putin a call.
What little relationship they had broke last summer in Ulster. when obama realized he wasn't going to get any help bombing the Syrians. Putin has been screwed-over the first time, during the great Libyan liberation. Hope was gone and we couldn't.
India has statrted something getting out of step. Watch for more unaligned nations to follow. The EU will reconsider its stance if Putin ups the price of gas. then it will be the BIG three The US Canada and Britain against the Rooskies, with everybody else lookingf to make themselves scarce..
Putin needs to start making noises like the Iranians about getting off the dollar standard. The Indians and Chinese would listen, Venezuela and Iran as well, who knows who else.
Dropping the dollar was discussed by Russian MPs and senior admin people. It's also been discussed within the SCO, and in some cases is already happening in direct trade between Russia China, China-Iran and China-Japan. Look at the percentage of US Treasury Bonds being bought by the FED and not by other nations as was the case not too long ago and you'll see one manifestation of dollar dumping.
Such a move would reduce Chinese holdings to next to worthless and cut off western liquidity-the only reason China seems to be growing is the Fed's low interest rate policy.
India? Ha. Bankrupt.
Iran? Worse than India.
Venezuela? Insolvent, far more than the US, and needing oil over $200/barrel to balance the budget.
If Russia wants out or gets kicked out of the dollar system, they have to go it alone, though the Chinese and Indians will take advantage of the situation. Truthfully, the Russians want to go back to a Gold Standard anyway, and they don't need anyone else to do that, though getting away from the Fed, ECB and BoJ will be painful. But the notion of punishing America? Not gonna happen. Can't happen. America will have problems or successes with or without Russia.
A question I have though is why do you hate America? I'm dissatisfied, but I'd rather fix the problems than commit suicide.
There is no way to fix the problems, short of the mass disappearance of 90% of the politicians and bureaucrats. They're not going to simply pull their snouts out of the federal trough. You're right, suicide is no solution, but smart people (a tiny minority in any country, including this one) have always voted with their feet. Bye, bye.
isn't this the kind of democracy the usa has been preaching all along???? the people voted, their voices are heard. unlike the protesters taking over government buildings and installing their own leaders. I think the American politicians have their heads up their a@#es
Firmly.