Comments on: Assad And Putin Give Each Other Leverage http://beirutspring.com/blog/2008/08/21/assad-and-putin-give-each-other-leverage/ Blogging Lebanese politics, business and society since 2005 Thu, 24 May 2012 20:18:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Craig http://beirutspring.com/blog/2008/08/21/assad-and-putin-give-each-other-leverage/#comment-12640 Craig Fri, 22 Aug 2008 19:26:24 +0000 http://beirutspring.com/blog/2008/08/21/assad-and-putin-give-each-other-leverage/#comment-12640 <i>I don’t believe that Russia will allow it to get out of control.</i> It is already "out of control", VOR. This can't be repaired. And Russia announced just today that it's withdrawal from Georgia is complete... while it still occupies a large part of Georgia. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7576556.stm What is it so many people have understanding about Russia? The first battle of the new Cold War has just been fought. Russia won. Now we all wait and see what happens next. I don’t believe that Russia will allow it to get out of control.

It is already “out of control”, VOR. This can’t be repaired. And Russia announced just today that it’s withdrawal from Georgia is complete… while it still occupies a large part of Georgia.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7576556.stm

What is it so many people have understanding about Russia? The first battle of the new Cold War has just been fought. Russia won. Now we all wait and see what happens next.

]]> By: Solomon2 http://beirutspring.com/blog/2008/08/21/assad-and-putin-give-each-other-leverage/#comment-12639 Solomon2 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 16:53:27 +0000 http://beirutspring.com/blog/2008/08/21/assad-and-putin-give-each-other-leverage/#comment-12639 Journalists report that Russian forces in Georgia refer to their opponents as, "the American side". They were expecting to fight NATO and US troops as well as Georgians - a "direct confrontation", as you put it. Journalists report that Russian forces in Georgia refer to their opponents as, “the American side”. They were expecting to fight NATO and US troops as well as Georgians – a “direct confrontation”, as you put it.

]]> By: VOR http://beirutspring.com/blog/2008/08/21/assad-and-putin-give-each-other-leverage/#comment-12638 VOR Fri, 22 Aug 2008 16:34:20 +0000 http://beirutspring.com/blog/2008/08/21/assad-and-putin-give-each-other-leverage/#comment-12638 Solomon2, Putin has been working behind the scenes for a very long time to restore Russia's influence back to the old days of the USSR, but he has also been careful not to be in direct confrontation with the US or its allies, ie, NATO. This is just a way to send a strong message to the US to tone down its involvement in Russia's backyard and that it wont go unnoticed. I don't believe that Russia will allow it to get out of control. Solomon2,

Putin has been working behind the scenes for a very long time to restore Russia’s influence back to the old days of the USSR, but he has also been careful not to be in direct confrontation with the US or its allies, ie, NATO. This is just a way to send a strong message to the US to tone down its involvement in Russia’s backyard and that it wont go unnoticed. I don’t believe that Russia will allow it to get out of control.

]]> By: Solomon2 http://beirutspring.com/blog/2008/08/21/assad-and-putin-give-each-other-leverage/#comment-12637 Solomon2 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 14:57:55 +0000 http://beirutspring.com/blog/2008/08/21/assad-and-putin-give-each-other-leverage/#comment-12637 Actually, I think the current Russian leadership really wants a cold war. The rape of Georgia has been quite popular and the loot profitable for everyone. Plus the Russian leadership just loves to have big dachas on the Georgian coast for the holidays - better than the French Riviera (too hot). And if you think the Russians wouldn't send their army into action because of the greed of Russia's leaders and bureaucracy plus the longing for lost empire of the Russian people, then you aren't very familiar with today's Russia. Actually, I think the current Russian leadership really wants a cold war. The rape of Georgia has been quite popular and the loot profitable for everyone. Plus the Russian leadership just loves to have big dachas on the Georgian coast for the holidays – better than the French Riviera (too hot).

And if you think the Russians wouldn’t send their army into action because of the greed of Russia’s leaders and bureaucracy plus the longing for lost empire of the Russian people, then you aren’t very familiar with today’s Russia.

]]> By: VOR http://beirutspring.com/blog/2008/08/21/assad-and-putin-give-each-other-leverage/#comment-12636 VOR Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:47:07 +0000 http://beirutspring.com/blog/2008/08/21/assad-and-putin-give-each-other-leverage/#comment-12636 I don't believe it is Russia's interest to prolong this situation, while Russia has been trying to regain its lost influence in those areas that it used to control once, it can't afford a cold war...that is exactly what this is about, exploring options and sending a message that gives them some leverage. As for Syria, it is simply trying to use this situation as a bargaining chip and hoping it does work to its advantage. What I don't like is the alleged report which states that Russia may have struck a deal with Hizb to supply them with advanced missile systems. I don’t believe it is Russia’s interest to prolong this situation, while Russia has been trying to regain its lost influence in those areas that it used to control once, it can’t afford a cold war…that is exactly what this is about, exploring options and sending a message that gives them some leverage. As for Syria, it is simply trying to use this situation as a bargaining chip and hoping it does work to its advantage. What I don’t like is the alleged report which states that Russia may have struck a deal with Hizb to supply them with advanced missile systems.

]]> By: Craig http://beirutspring.com/blog/2008/08/21/assad-and-putin-give-each-other-leverage/#comment-12635 Craig Fri, 22 Aug 2008 07:03:22 +0000 http://beirutspring.com/blog/2008/08/21/assad-and-putin-give-each-other-leverage/#comment-12635 <i>Russia wants to be integrated in international institutions and Syria wants to get out of its isolation.</i> By the way... I don't think that is what Russia wants. Russia wants to be Russia again. Look at Russia's history, and you will understand very clearly what it is that Russia wants. Russia is going back into isolation itself. And if Syria wishes to ride on Russia's coat-tails then that is where Syria (and Lebanon) are going as well. Russia wants to be integrated in international institutions and Syria wants to get out of its isolation.

By the way… I don’t think that is what Russia wants. Russia wants to be Russia again. Look at Russia’s history, and you will understand very clearly what it is that Russia wants.

Russia is going back into isolation itself. And if Syria wishes to ride on Russia’s coat-tails then that is where Syria (and Lebanon) are going as well.

]]> By: Craig http://beirutspring.com/blog/2008/08/21/assad-and-putin-give-each-other-leverage/#comment-12634 Craig Fri, 22 Aug 2008 06:59:05 +0000 http://beirutspring.com/blog/2008/08/21/assad-and-putin-give-each-other-leverage/#comment-12634 <i>If you find that two questions above point logically to each other, you’d understand why Israel and the US are nervous about a renewed proxy cold war in the Middle East. </i> Why should the US be nervous about that? Worked out pretty well for us the last time. Nothing makes Americans look better than a contrast with Russians :) If you find that two questions above point logically to each other, you’d understand why Israel and the US are nervous about a renewed proxy cold war in the Middle East.

Why should the US be nervous about that? Worked out pretty well for us the last time. Nothing makes Americans look better than a contrast with Russians :)

]]> By: anthem boy http://beirutspring.com/blog/2008/08/21/assad-and-putin-give-each-other-leverage/#comment-12633 anthem boy Fri, 22 Aug 2008 02:57:47 +0000 http://beirutspring.com/blog/2008/08/21/assad-and-putin-give-each-other-leverage/#comment-12633 the start of COLD WAR II...but i wonder how cold it will be. the start of COLD WAR II…but i wonder how cold it will be.

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