Russia is merely trying to keep oil prices high. Just like Iran and Venezuela. They're used to record high oil profits and they're doing their best to artificially manipulate the market.
And how Russia "tries" it? Very interesting to know. The fact is, russian companies are buying western companies in these fields, including american & canadian once. If we do it better than you, no need to blame us Every person is good at smth. US are the best in retail market, while Russia is good in the market of natural resources. You said oil, what about gas, aluminimum, nickel, steel? What do we do in them fields and how do we try to keep a price high? The price will be high on all of them despite some country willing it to be low or high. These resources are limited and nothing will change.
Thraxed, N_F_S: Thanks for your comments. It appears that Russia and the US are returning toward bellicose attitudes toward one another. Russia is expanding its wealth, strength, and influence following the demise of the Soviet system. Russia's relationships with Europe and Western Europe are far closer evidently with intimate and critical trade relationships. Looks like tricky and uncomfortable relations will evolve into the future. Time and actions will tell.
Threaten war and prices of oil go up. Threaten supply lines and it will keep prices up. Actually, even general "unrest" will keep tensions high and prices up. Russia has already accomplished that, and temporarily halted the skid of oil prices.
Ha If anyone who threatens and actually is in a WAR, thats gotta be US A 5 days clash with Georgia is nothing comparing to what US forces are doing all over the world. I agree, Russia tries to be the number one in the field, but without force. We do it on the market, buying gas/oil/steel companies abroad : Severstal Resources set to buy U.S. PBS assets for $1.3 bln ^http://en.rian.ru/business/20080822/116220858.html MMK steel giant posts 19% increase in US GAAP net profit in 1H08 ^http://en.rian.ru/business/20080820/116155967.html Russia's Novolipetsk Steel to buy U.S. John Maneely for $3.5 bln ^http://en.rian.ru/business/20080813/115999439.html There are dozens of deals like that (not only in US) and I cant see anything illegal here, thats why its called market in the 1st place.
As an American, but more importantly as a Non Russian, I can't help but look at the Russian efforts directed toward Georgia, and then Russian threats to Poland, and threats toward Nato as very similar to American actions toward Iraq and subsequent threats to other nations. There are obvious differences in that the circumstances surrounding each set of actions by first the US and then Russia are very different. Regardless, here is how it strikes me: A big powerful nation threatens then strikes a smaller nation. A big powerful nation gives the world all sorts of reasons for taking the actions. A big powerful nation, each in its own way "bullies" other nations or allies with regard to its actions. A big powerful nation basically tells the rest of the world, we are doing what we are doing and we don't care what the rest of the world thinks, says or how it reacts. As an American, it is very illuminating. Now I admit to grudingly supporting the war in Iraq when it was started, buying into the threat argument. At some point I turned against the war in Iraq carried on by the American government, though I have not been for an immediate and fast pullout, considering the impacts in Iraq and the middle east once Saddam was overthrown and the resultant chaos within the nation and the middle east. In any case, regardless of the claims about who started what in Georgia, the subsequent attack into Georgia by Russian troops and subsequent threats and actions ring very similarly to what the world had to feel like vis a vis US actions in Iraq. at least IMHO.
I don't think they can be compared, Earl. The war in Georgia was triggered by Sakaashvili trying to eliminate the powers in Tskhinvali. I think, the extent of the Georgian offensive in Tskhinvali is irrelevant, because it is ovbious Russia would react to the littlest of provacations from Georgia as they are not the best of friends, so lets just call it provoked by Georgia. On the other hand, Saddam did nothing to provoke a war in my opinion, and did not attack anyone in merit of a USA/Nato response, the war in my opinion is for a number of things, a black oil rush, to up american influence in the area and to stamp down on an up and coming regional power. It is interesting times never the less.
Thraxed: I know there are innumerable differences between the 2 events. I'm trying to comment upon similarities that might also exist from the eyes of the rest of the world or those that aren't involved in the conflicts; aren't American, Iraqi, Russian, or Georgian. Dave
Ah ok. i understand. Though in my opinion, from perspective in the UK, people are seeing the rise of Russia as a good thing to counter balance what they see as a powerful animal on a rampage without a leash (USA) and that mabye because of Russias power it will stop the US from doing such actions without thinking about the consequences. Though of course, Americans will always see things different than Europeans, we are on the other side of the world. I hope Obama can be a good change in the right direction for us all
You took the words right out of my keyboard. I doubt his fringe opinion is held by 10% of the people in the UK.
You would know that how? Hardly anyone in the UK likes what the US is doing and would like them to stop, ask anyone from the UK, like Stox. Infact, whenever i ask people what they think of the US, the most common response is. "They are all stupid cunts"
Thraxed, I think yankees base their opinions on Gordon Brown and not the ordinary people The same goes to Poland and all other "friends".
Yeah probally. Gordon Brown wasn't even elected, and he would never of been elected given the chance because EVERYONE hates him.
US made this easy on them. US is bringing the prices up for some years now: Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq... Us companies say thank you, including the ones owned by GW, Cheney, Rumsfeld...
Most hypocrites are the British, David Miliband, complaining about Russian action that helped the Russian citizens who were living on Russian border. Where as Falklands Island, some where on the edge of the south pole, which British(in the name of helping British Citizen) went and massacred/used radio active materials against large Argentinian forces trying to reclaim their land.
Bottom line is that Russia and The USA have always had their tension but at least they are not bombing each other.
Saddam invaded Kuiwait and there was never a peace treaty ending the war. The US signed an armistice with Iraq in 1991 ending Gulf War I. However, a regime of sanctions was placed on Iraq and limited fighting continued as in the case of the 1998 Iraq No Fly War (Gulf War II). The present was (Gulf War III) is the conclusion of the was that would have been better off terminated in 1991.
Russians like to throw there weight around when they know they can get away with it, and lets be honest, short of an all out assault by Russia, nobody is going to do anything about it. The Europeans are in no position to argue, they dont want that pipeline turned off. That would spell disaster for European economies already shrinking. The U.S doesnt have the manpower to fight a war in Russia's backyard, they've got enough to worry about, its not like the Americans have an appetite for another war right now. Most of them cant leave Iraq soon enough from what I can gather. Russia has all the cards, the only problem they have is that their new found status and wealth, is built on an economy that relies very heavily on a few commodities. If the Europeans found an alternative, or collectively, under some EU banner developed their own...expect Russia to crawl back into its cave. Personally, providing the Russians dont do anything seriously silly, I think its good to have a strong Russia, as people have said, the days of the United States as the sole superpower are coming to a close. A new world order with China, Russia, the U.S and the EU as basically the 4 major heavyweights is very quickly coming into its place. I think its good, it might stop the excesses of the U.S in the future.
btw I expect Russia to kick up a very big stink should Belarus or the Ukraine attempt to join the EU and Nato? well any Nato expansion into the Eastern Block is going to provoke trouble.