Controlling the Caspian – Russia’s New Military Alliance

FULL ARTICLE HERE The news of seven post-soviet nations creating a military rapid reaction force should come as no surprise, for it was only a matter of time before a military alliance of some former soviet republics was created. Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan are putting together a force whose central command will be in Moscow. The force will be able to dispatch a rapid reactionary force to any region in the post-soviet space.

This is actually very important because this news came out the same time that Kyrgyzstan announced that it will close a U.S. base on its territory. Most likely there was a struggle for influence between Moscow and Washington, and analysts may only guess why Kyrgyzstan chose Russia, but the fact remains that the US is not going to take this loss lightly. Trying to guess future reactions of these two powers would be a waste of time for there’s not enough information to do so. However, it is necessary to analyze why this step by these seven nations is important and what are further implications of this Rapid Reactionary Force (RRF).

Natural Resources

Every country except for Belarus is vital in its own way to protect Russia’s interest in the Caspian. Presence of Russian military bases and a joint military with these Central Asian countries gives Moscow an ability to secure their resource transit routes and the resources themselves from providing America an alternative to the Persian Gulf for oil.

It is a known fact that United States has spent a lot of time and money trying to increase their presence in the Caspian to lessen their dependence on oil coming from the Middle East. It only makes sense that Russia wants to close off this alternative for the United States. If this RRF is a successful endeavor, the United States will have to deal with another military alliance that truly does not want Washington to meddle in its affairs. The newly established RRF will also be able to react to any threat that would otherwise threaten the continuous flow of oil and gas through the pipelines and by ship to refineries in Russia and other nations of the RRF.

This military union is also a concern to Georgia and Azerbaijan as well. These two nations host foreign oil refineries and pipelines in Supsa and Baku. Especially after the recent war CONTINUE READING –>

Effects of Israel’s Operations in Gaza

READ THE FULL ARTICLE Israel’s military operation in Gaza is in full swing. The current situation in the Gaza strip puts to the test world leaders’ abilities to protect peace and to bring about a resolution before a calamity strikes. Implications of Israel’s military operations are already becoming evident.
Israel Proves a Point

Israel’s operations proved that none of the radical Islamist organizations want to fight an open all-out war with Israel. The eagerness of radical Islamists to wage war on Israel has been more than evident and has grown in recent years. However, when the fight has been brought to them, they are not ready to face an enemy that is as ruthless as them and one that has its forces up to 21st century standards.

Israel has been striking targets with precision, bombing not random buildings, but those that have had top ranking Hamas officials or have been of strategic value to the organization. Israel obviously has prepared well for the operations because they are carrying out precision strikes and their every move looks to be well thought through. Although there are casualties among civilians, it is only because Islamists use civilians as cover. Evidently, Israel has made a choice to engage Hamas where they are. This is a good strategy because this will hopefully make Palestinians reject Hamas and leave them out to dry on their own, without popular support. It will not take long before Hamas’ use of civilians for cover will be condemned by the Palestinians themselves.

Implications

Tel-Aviv’s operation in Gaza could also spell disaster of global proportions. Most likely, Hamas and other radical organizations will spin this situation to their advantage claiming that this is a crusade. Iran’s Ayatollah already stated that anyone that dies in this fight against Israel will become a martyr. Moreover, Israel’s actions could READ THE FULL ARTICLE

Gaza – Disproportional But Inevitable

FULL ARTICLE ON RUSSIATODAY.COM

Israel is bombing Gaza. Israel’s defence minister has stated that the nation is in an all-out war with Hamas. It looks like Israel is taking a step forward in trying to cripple Hamas’ ability to attack them. Although many condemn the actions of Israel, there may be some logic to their actions. They may actually be correct in using this kind of force. Both sides of the current events in the Gaza Strip need to be analyzed in order to understand what these actions by Israel may bring.

Israel vs Hamas

Israel’s military is by far superior to anything that Hamas can put together. Israel’s sudden attacks on the Gaza Strip are exactly unjustified. The current war between Israel and Hamas is actually putting to use all of the political safe guards that both sides have put together.

Hamas is an organization that has utilized terrorist tactics. Considering that there is no way for them to put together a formidable 21st century force, they are turning to guerilla warfare and using “pity tactics” with regard to world politics.

Hamas has endangered the very people it claims to represent. It was only a matter of time before Israel would get fed up with Hamas using civilians as cover, forcing Israel to ditch restraint. As was anticipated, most of the world has condemned Israel’s excessive use of force.

Nevertheless, does it make sense for Israel to use foot soldiers and tanks to roll into Gaza if they can use their air forces instead? Israel’s army is up to 21st century…FULL ARTICLE ON RUSSIATODAY.COM

Path of War: From Vladikavkaz to Gori – Russian War Correspondent’s Photos in South Ossetia

Map of Georgia

War correspondent Arkadiy Babchenko began reporting from the first hours of the beginning of the military operations. From Vladikavkaz he went to South Dzhava, then to Tshkinvali. As a war correspondent, he took part in storming the Georgian village of Zimo Nikozi, then followed soldiers of the “Vostok” battalion to Gori. These are his pictures from the war.

Zari Road

Russian Troops

Knocked out Georgian tank in Tskhinvali

A Destoryed Building in Tskhinvali

Another destoryed Georgian tank in Tskhinvali

A building in Tskhinvali after Georgian bombardment

A column with Russian soldiers in South Ossetia

Soldiers of the Chechen battalion Vostok

Russian troops

Russian Artillery poistions at an undisclosed location in South Ossetia

South Ossetian soldier

“Vostok” soldiers after storming Zemo Nikozi

A U.S. AT-4 grenade launcher abandonded by retreating Georgian army

Captured Georgian soldiers. Many Georgian mobilized reserves took off uniforms, dressed as civilians, and tried to pass Russian check points.

“Vostok” soldiers

Destroyed Georgian truck

A destroyed Georgian military column

Storm of Zemo Nikozi

The depots found in Gori had a lot of american equipment, such as this truck (U.S.);

Road to Tshinvali

Burning houses in a Georgian village of Zemo Nikozi