Perhaps I'm misunderstanding what you have said in your posts, N_F_S. I understood you to be saying the former SSRs would align themselves with the Russian Federation over aligning themselves with the West, in a kind of zero-sum game, with Russia acting as an irresistible, polar draw in the continuum, west to east. This isn't happening. You are comparing the nature of CIS to the "new unions" you mention. This ignores the essential difference between the CIS, now on its way to being entirely defunct, and something like Eurasec, the union you mention. CIS was in every way a "soft" Soviet Union designed to lessen the blow of "divorce." It included common security, law, finance, and trade concerns. This differs very considerably from the "unions" you mentioned. The states doing business with Russia today are doing so as independent entities, pursuing pragmatic economic arrangements and Russia, recognizing its vulnerability, has come to realize its status as suzerain is gone, forever; it seeks with equal fervor access to regional markets for its goods and services. Many of these states also maintain strong ties with the west, as well as Southern states, Europe to Asia. As such, no "zero-sum" game of strategic alliance with Russia over the west is engendered by these arrangements. You mention Eurasec, which is an extension of an existing customs union, brokered along pragmatic lines mutually beneficial to all member states, and as such is another marker that the era of politics by Russian caveat is over; I'd say, a great development, although Ukraine, Russia's natural ally, declined membership after a period of review. It is an economic organization, designed to allow for the free exchange of goods and services within its member states. There is no regional military or security provision, unlike the aims of the CIS. I applaud, for one, liberalization among the states you mention. It is the antithesis of the relationship that existed between these states and Russia under the Soviet era, which was an extractive relationship between satellite and mother.
I think you misunderstood me, I was saying that former SSRs would align with Russia if there was a war, actual war on the continent. The CIS as I said is only on a paper now, it was stronger before, when it was created. Nowadays, all members of CIS play their own game in reality. Regarding military presense in CIS, check this out: Foreign Bases 1.1 Armenia 1.2 Belarus 1.3 Georgia 1.4 Kyrgyzstan 1.5 Moldova 1.6 Tajikistan 1.7 Ukraine http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Russian_military_bases Despite of many other objects on post soviet countries like: missile defence base in Azerbaijan, Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazachstan, etc: http://www.kommersant.com/p766827/Russia,_military_bases/
55.66% still think that the USA is the biggest threat to world peace and considering the corrupt US administration who can blame them.
This is from your article, which squares with what I am saying, N_F_S: In other words, this follows from what I am arguing. Russian suzerainty is over. It is natural that there remain linkages between former colonies and the former mother suzerain. But every sign that I can see is showing that everyone is pursuing a pragmatic approach to national aggrandisement - with Russia last, and most reluctantly, understanding its position as Imperium has died and it must act, in an increasing sense, as a kind of "first among equals." I would expect these countries to continue on the trend I am seeing now - exacting of rent from Russia for maintaining any kind of military base on site, phasing out of troops, arms and infrastructure, or outright disbanding and destruction of Russian-occupied facilities. Among the countries you mention is Georgia. From your article: Many others of the countries you list, of course, are nowhere near this yet, and the region remains a kind of mixed bag in terms of physical insertion of Russian interests. But to present the former SSRs as "allied" with Russia were a war to land on Europe is, I think, dangerously flawed.
If he is blessing anyone at the moment, he sure isn't blessing America. Look at the mess you are in LOL.
The mess Im in? Im sitting in my Home in Beautiful Naples Florida home, AC running, Kids playing Wii, wife watching the Chicago musical, dogs playing. I would say life is good in America. Where is it you are from?
Well if your crazy dictator Bush gets his way you may well get drafted (if you are of draft-able age) so don't get too comfortable.
Nah, we have enough proud Americans willing to volunteer for this wonderful country. We wont need a draft. But if we did, id be honored to do so. Yes im old enough. 29 years old with a beautiful wife and two great kids. See here in America we have something worth fighting for and protecting. Seems most of the people in this thread do not, which is why they don't understand Americas aggression. We are quick to protect what we have, if you don't like that, tough cookie.
I'm from the UK and we are also very much like our fellow Americans over the water, the problem is that your idiot dictator Bush is hell bent on trying to ruin the world, as will Hillary Clinton when the disasterous slag gets in power. Do not buy all the bullshit mate, your country was lied to by Bush and his neocon co-hawks to get you involved in Iraq, all based on the massive WMD lie. Start waking up dude please.
Why should i believe someone like yourself that doesn't even live in my country. I am well aware of what goes on in this country, obviously more so than yourself. Bush has made mistakes, but the intentions have always been for the better of the world. I live here, I see what is happening, i know many are dieing in the war, it is a war after all. I know bush hated Saddam, and that may have helped him decide to go to war. You know what Saddam Hussein is dead because of that decision, and i , and many families of those he had killed are greatful. Bush may not have been the best. But i feel his decisions were fo everyones best interest. And if you or other dont like that, Just keep crying, im sure that will make a big difference.
That's a complete lie, Bush has done so much damage to your country and how it is perceived globally.
The only one doing damage to this country, is people like you who spread the conspiracy theory lies, just to vindicate you jealousy.
Actually the only thing doing damage is people like you, who blindly support wars. If it wasn't for people like you there would be no war, since bush would have no support for it.
So if no one supported War there would be no war. Are you serious? Do you really think this way? And you have the nerve to call me Blind. I do not support war, i support freedom, and the right to protect ourselves, even if it means we must act first.