Russian attack submarine sailed in Gulf of Mexico undetected for weeks

[ELVIS]

Bill Gertz

August 14, 2012


8943

A Russian nuclear-powered attack submarine armed with long-range cruise missiles operated undetected in the Gulf of Mexico for several weeks and its travel in strategic U.S. waters was only confirmed after it left the region, the Washington Free Beacon has learned.

It is only the second time since 2009 that a Russian attack submarine has patrolled so close to U.S. shores.

The stealth underwater incursion in the Gulf took place at the same time Russian strategic bombers made incursions into restricted U.S. airspace near Alaska and California in June and July, and highlights a growing military assertiveness by Moscow.

The submarine patrol also exposed what U.S. officials said were deficiencies in U.S. anti-submarine warfare capabilities—forces that are facing cuts under the Obama administration’s plan to reduce defense spending by $487 billion over the next 10 years.

The Navy is in charge of detecting submarines, especially those that sail near U.S. nuclear missile submarines, and uses undersea sensors and satellites to locate and track them.

The fact that the Akula was not detected in the Gulf is cause for concern, U.S. officials said.

The officials who are familiar with reports of the submarine patrol in the Gulf of Mexico said the vessel was a nuclear-powered Akula-class attack submarine, one of Russia’s quietest submarines.

A Navy spokeswoman declined to comment.

One official said the Akula operated without being detected for a month.

“The Akula was built for one reason and one reason only: To kill U.S. Navy ballistic missile submarines and their crews,” said a second U.S. official.

“It’s a very stealthy boat so it can sneak around and avoid detection and hope to get past any protective screen a boomer might have in place,” the official said, referring to the Navy nickname for strategic missile submarines.

The U.S. Navy operates a strategic nuclear submarine base at Kings Bay, Georgia. The base is homeport to eight missile-firing submarines, six of them equipped with nuclear-tipped missiles, and two armed with conventional warhead missiles.

“Sending a nuclear-propelled submarine into the Gulf of Mexico-Caribbean region is another manifestation of President Putin demonstrating that Russia is still a player on the world’s political-military stage,” said naval analyst and submarine warfare specialist Norman Polmar.

“Like the recent deployment of a task force led by a nuclear cruiser into the Caribbean, the Russian Navy provides him with a means of ‘showing the flag’ that is not possible with Russian air and ground forces,” Polmar said in an email.

The last time an Akula submarine was known to be close to U.S. shores was 2009, when two Akulas were spotted patrolling off the east coast of the United States.

Those submarine patrols raised concerns at the time about a new Russian military assertiveness toward the United States, according to the New York Times, which first reported the 2009 Akula submarine activity.

The latest submarine incursion in the Gulf further highlights the failure of the Obama administration’s “reset” policy of conciliatory actions designed to develop closer ties with Moscow.

Instead of closer ties, Russia under President Vladimir Putin, an ex-KGB intelligence officer who has said he wants to restore elements of Russia’s Soviet communist past, has adopted growing hardline policies against the United States.

Of the submarine activity, Sen. John Cornyn (R., Texas), member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said, “It’s a confounding situation arising from a lack of leadership in our dealings with Moscow. While the president is touting our supposed ‘reset’ in relations with Russia, Vladimir Putin is actively working against American interests, whether it’s in Syria or here in our own backyard.”

The Navy is facing sharp cuts in forces needed to detect and counter such submarine activity.

The Obama administration’s defense budget proposal in February cut $1.3 billion from Navy shipbuilding projects, which will result in scrapping plans to build 16 new warships through 2017.

The budget also called for cutting plans to buy 10 advanced P-8 anti-submarine warfare jets needed for submarine detection.

In June, Russian strategic nuclear bombers and support aircraft conducted a large-scale nuclear bomber exercise in the arctic. The exercise included simulated strikes on “enemy” strategic sites that defense officials say likely included notional attacks on U.S. missile defenses in Alaska.

Under the terms of the 2010 New START arms accord, such exercises require 14-day advanced notice of strategic bomber drills, and notification after the drills end. No such notification was given.

A second, alarming air incursion took place July 4 on the West Coast when a Bear H strategic bomber flew into U.S. airspace near California and was met by U.S. interceptor jets.

That incursion was said to have been a bomber incursion that has not been seen since before the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991.

It could not be learned whether the submarine in the Gulf of Mexico was an Akula 1 type submarine or a more advanced Akula 2.

It is also not known why the submarine conducted the operation. Theories among U.S. analysts include the notion that submarine incursion was designed to further signal Russian displeasure at U.S. and NATO plans to deploy missile defenses in Europe.

Russia’s chief of the general staff, Gen. Nikolai Makarov, said in May that Russian forces would consider preemptive attacks on U.S. and allied missile defenses in Europe, and claimed the defenses are destabilizing in a crisis.

Makarov met with Army Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in July. Dempsey questioned him about the Russian strategic bomber flights near U.S. territory.

The voyage of the submarine also could be part of Russian efforts to export the Akula.

Russia delivered one of its Akula-2 submarines to India in 2009. The submarine is distinctive for its large tail fin.

Brazil’s O Estado de Sao Paoli reported Aug. 2 that Russia plans to sell Venezuela up to 11 new submarines, including one Akula.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow’s military is working to set up naval replenishment facilities in Vietnam and Cuba, but denied there were plans to base naval forces in those states.

Asked if Russia planned a naval base in Cuba, Lavrov said July 28: “We are not speaking of any bases. The Russian navy ships serve exercise cruises and training in the same regions. To harbor, resupply, and enable the crew to rest are absolutely natural needs. We have spoken of such opportunities with our Cuban friends.” The comment was posted in the Russian Foreign Ministry website.

Russian warships and support vessels were sent to Venezuela in 2008 to take part in naval exercises in a show of Russian support for the leftist regime of Hugo Chavez. The ships also stopped in Cuba.

Russian Deputy Premier Dmitri Rogozin announced in February that Russia was working on a plan to build 10 new attack submarines and 10 new missile submarines through 2030, along with new aircraft carriers.

Submarine warfare specialists say the Akula remains the core of the Russian attack submarine force.

The submarines can fire both cruise missiles and torpedoes, and are equipped with the SSN-21 and SSN-27 submarine-launched cruise missiles, as well as SSN-15 anti-submarine-warfare missiles. The submarines also can lay mines.

The SSN-21 has a range of up to 1,860 miles.


:elvis:

[FORD]

Well, after BP fucked up the Gulf, it's no wonder you couldn't see a sub down there.

[Nickdfresh]

The "Free Beacon?" Elvis, are you just posting defense industry propaganda? A Russian attack sub isn't really much of a threat to the country...

[LoungeMachine]

It was a CIA plant.....

:gulp:

They were spying on ELBOW's trailer park

[ELVIS]

The "Free Beacon?" Elvis, are you just posting defense industry propaganda? A Russian attack sub isn't really much of a threat to the country...

Oh really ??

Have you ever seen the incredible amount of old and new oil infrastructure in the gulf ??

[Dr. Love]

The "Free Beacon?" Elvis, are you just posting defense industry propaganda? A Russian attack sub isn't really much of a threat to the country...

:umm:

[FORD]

Oh really ??

Have you ever seen the incredible amount of old and new oil infrastructure in the gulf ??

I think we all saw enough of that in 2010 :(

[BITEYOASS]

The Russians have been doing this for decades. Its has to do with some sort of military treaty they have with Cuba.

[ELVIS]

Yeah, and now they're installing nuclear weapons in Cuba...

[FORD]

Yeah, and now they're installing nuclear weapons in Cuba...

Then you better hope Mittens doesn't steal the election. Because if he had been in office during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, he would have started a nuclear war.

Why not? He can always baptize us all later and take us home to Kolob with him.

Or whatever planet he becomes god of.......

[ELVIS]

I don't see Obama doing anything about it...

[FORD]

I don't see any confirmation of this story, except for one guy who was so fucking stupid even the Washingmoonie Times fired him.

Oh sure.... FAUX Noize picked it up, and all the 2 digit IQ sites like Freak Republic are running with it. But where's some confirmation of the actual story?

[knuckleboner]

I don't see Obama doing anything about it...

uh, the U.S. doesn't own the gulf of mexico. so exactly what is obama supposed to do? the only thing that happens with subs that get close, but not into territorial waters is they get shadowed. which you don't hear about. silent service, and all...

[ELVIS]

Do you even know about Russia constructing nuclear missile sites in Cuba ??

[FORD]

Do you even know about Russia constructing nuclear missile sites in Cuba ??

Source?

[jhale667]

Source?

CoughInfoWarsCough :biggrin:

[FORD]

Yeah, that would have been my first guess.

[ELVIS]

Russia to revive army bases in three oceans



The Russian government intends to restore the military-technical support of their ships at the former military base in Cam Ranh (Vietnam), Lourdes (Cuba) and the Seychelles. So far, this is not about plans for a military presence, but rather the restoration of the crew resources. However, a solid contractual basis should be developed for these plans.

The intentions were announced on July 27 by the Russian Navy Commander Vice Admiral Viktor Chirkov. "At the international level, the creation of logistics points in Cuba, the Seychelles and Vietnam is being worked out," Chirkov was quoted by the media. The issue was specifically discussed at the meeting with the leaders of all countries. President of Vietnam Truong Tan Sang has recently held talks with Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev in Moscow and President Putin in Sochi. Cuban leader Raul Castro met with Putin in Moscow earlier this month. A little earlier the President of the Republic of Seychelles, James Michel made an unequivocal statement.

"We will give Russia the benefits in Cam Ranh, including the development of military cooperation," the President of Vietnam told the media. Cuba that has an American military base in Guantanamo Bay and is protesting against the deployment of new U.S. bases in Colombia, of course, wants to acquire an ally in Russia to be able to contain the United States. Seychelles in the Indian Ocean has always been in the zone of Soviet influence. In 1981, the Soviet Navy helped the government to prevent the military coup and before the collapse of the USSR the Soviets had a constant presence in the area. In June of 2012, at the opening of an Orthodox church in the capital city of Victoria, James Michel spoke of Russia's role in combating piracy and supported the Russian idea to build a pier in the port of Victoria, designed for the reception of the Navy warships of Russian Federation.

Following the statement by Vice-Admiral, Russian Foreign Ministry and Defense Ministry made it clear that they were talking about rest and replenishment of the crews after the campaign in the area and not military bases. It is clear, however, that Russian warships could do both without special arrangements, given the good attitudes of the leaders of these countries toward Russia. It can be assumed that the Russian Admiral unwittingly gave away far-reaching plans of the Russian leadership. That would be great, because from the time of Peter the Great, Russia had a strong fleet and army. In addition, it is worth mentioning Putin's statement at the G20 meeting in June. After the meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama, Putin made a sudden harsh statement to the press.

"In 2001 I, as the President of the Russian Federation and the supreme commander, deemed it advantageous to withdraw the radio-electronic center Lourdes from Cuba. In exchange for this, George Bush, the then U.S. president, has assured me that this decision would become the final confirmation that the Cold War was over and both of our states, getting rid of the relics of the Cold War, will start building a new relationship based on cooperation and transparency. In particular, Bush has convinced me that the U.S. missile defense system will never be deployed in Eastern Europe.

The Russian Federation has fulfilled all terms of the agreement. And even more. I shut down not only the Cuban Lourdes but also Kamran in Vietnam. I shut them down because I gave my word of honor. I, like a man, has kept my word. What have the Americans done? The Americans are not responsible for their own words. It is no secret that in recent years, the U.S. created a buffer zone around Russia, involving in this process not only the countries of Central Europe, but also the Baltic states, Ukraine and the Caucasus. The only response to this could be an asymmetric expansion of the Russian military presence abroad, particularly in Cuba. In Cuba, there are convenient bays for our reconnaissance and warships, a network of the so-called "jump airfields." With the full consent of the Cuban leadership, on May 11 of this year, our country has not only resumed work in the electronic center of Lourdes, but also placed the latest mobile strategic nuclear missiles "Oak" on the island. They did not want to do it the amicable way, now let them deal with this," Putin said.

It is obvious that Russia will not stop simply at "resting" their sailors in the area. Now back to the statement of Chirkov. Americans have not officially resented it. For example, the Pentagon spokesman George Little said that Russia had the right to enter into military agreements and relationships with other countries, as does the United States, according to France Press Agency. The reason is simple: American analysts believe that Russia now cannot afford to create its own military bases.

The Americans talk about Russia's lack of influence, money and the actual fleet. Western media quoted an "independent expert on the defense" in Moscow Paul Fengelgauer. He said that Russia does not have the necessary naval resources to provide constant presence outside its territorial waters, as it has only 30 major warships that serve five fleets. Therefore, the possibility of placing an additional station does not mean the expansion of sea power in Russia. This is largely an objective assessment. But since the crisis in the West in 2008, Russia began to recover part of its navy. The loss was not that great - about a quarter of the Soviet reserve. Another thing is that we should talk about the modernization of the fleet. There is much to maintain. On Thursday, Chirkov said that this year Russia's naval forces can be replenished with another 10-15 warships, including destroyers and nuclear submarines.

As for the influence, judging by the words of the Russian President, Russia is also actively growing in this regard, although work in this direction has only begun. As we can see, Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans are involved. This is due not only to geopolitical reasons, but the growing economic presence of Russia in the regions. For example, "Gazprom" is actively working on offshore Vietnam. In the Caribbean, it also participates in the construction of Meso-American pipeline and field development in Venezuela. An ammunition plant is under construction in Cuba.

However, one should start with a solid contractual basis. Take, for example, agreements on mutual defense that the U.S. has with the Philippines, Japan, Colombia, and Mexico. In the presence of such agreements military bases cannot be challenged as a military expansion. Russia has room to grow - of the 16 operating in the Soviet era military bases today there is only one left - Tartus in Syria, or two, if we consider the base in Sevastopol.


link! (http://english.pravda.ru/russia/politics/01-08-2012/121804-russia_army_base-0/)

[FORD]

So you think RT AMERICA, an American network with American hosts is "KGB Propaganda", but you believe PRAVDA, which literally was the state newspaper of the Soviet Union??

[ELVIS]

I take all of them with a grain of salt, but the truth is mixed in there somewhere...

[jhale667]

So you think RT AMERICA, an American network with American hosts is "KGB Propaganda", but you believe PRAVDA, which literally was the state newspaper of the Soviet Union??


http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h217/jhale667/tin_foil_hat.gif

:biggrin:

[ELVIS]

Hey taco boy, I wanted fire sauce and some fucking napkins, slob!

[jhale667]

You're all about weak sauce with that tired projection. How's that MP3 coming?

[ELVIS]

I'm busy saving humanity...

[jhale667]

Riiiight. Found the ones you sent me, btw.

[Nickdfresh]

Oh really ??

Have you ever seen the incredible amount of old and new oil infrastructure in the gulf ??

Is teh Russian sub stealin our oils? Doubt it, Russia has plenty....



:umm:

There is a difference between attack sub and nuclear missile sub carrying SLBM's...

Besides, Russian subs are often self-sinking...

[Nickdfresh]

Yeah, and now they're installing nuclear weapons in Cuba...

Why the fuck would they do that? They have SLBM's off the coast if they want. Keep posting sourceless bullshit though...

[Nickdfresh]

BTW, the US Navy may also well be returning to Cam Ranh Bay (http://gcaptain.com/ranh-navy-return-vietnam/) in Vietnam....

[ELVIS]

Gearing up for WWIII, eh ??

So what happens when China and Russia get tired of our government's corrupt meddling in Iraq and Syria ??

[Nickdfresh]

They have to confiscate yer guns first. Let me know when that happens, then you can continue to make hollow, bullshit speculations based on some radio-asshole making bullshit speculations and predictions that never seem to come to pass...

[ELVIS]

I'm not so shallow as to get all of my info from one source...

And they won't get my guns, that's nearly impossible...

[chefcraig]

CIA Operative Jack Ryan: I'm not an agent, I just write books for the CIA.
Captain Marko Ramius: Whatever. Sit here and do exactly what I tell you. What books?
Jack Ryan: Pardon me?
Captain Ramius: What books did you write?
Jack Ryan: I wrote a biography of Admiral Halsey, called "The Fighting Sailor", about naval combat tactics...
Captain Ramius: I know this book! Your conclusions were all wrong, Ryan. Halsey acted stupidly.
Capt. Bart Mancuso: All right, Ryan, we just unzipped our fly. Mr. Thompson! Open the outer doors, firing point procedures. Now if that bastard so much as twitches, I'm going to blow him straight to Mars.
Captain Ramius: All this way to hide a submarine in a river. "... and the sea will grant each man new hope, as sleep brings dreams of home." Christopher Columbus.
Jack Ryan: Welcome to the New World, Captain.


http://img1.imagehousing.com/92/ee8ba0d33eacc06c43b3d9fd63a750b5.jpg (http://www.imagehousing.com/image/1060024)

[fourthcoming]

If people still think Putin and Russia are allies and aren't a threat, they are sadly mistaken.

[BigBadBrian]

Much ado about nothing.

Subs are supposed to go undetected.

After all, we have ballistic missile subs within range of Russia AND China, undetected, ready to end the world.

Now, that should give you a little bit of comfort. :gulp:

[BigBadBrian]

BTW, the US Navy may also well be returning to Cam Ranh Bay (http://gcaptain.com/ranh-navy-return-vietnam/) in Vietnam....

Hmm....I thought it was SUBIC BAY. (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20110428-333354/Return-of-US-forces-to-Subic-possible) :gulp:

[ELVIS]

Now, that should give you a little bit of comfort. :gulp:

Neocon world domination and stupid people supporting it through propaganda doesn't give me comfort at all...

[Nickdfresh]

Hmm....I thought it was SUBIC BAY. (http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20110428-333354/Return-of-US-forces-to-Subic-possible) :gulp:

They're prolly auditioning...

[ODShowtime]

With the full consent of the Cuban leadership, on May 11 of this year, our country has not only resumed work in the electronic center of Lourdes, but also placed the latest mobile strategic nuclear missiles "Oak" on the island. They did not want to do it the amicable way, now let them deal with this," Putin said.


I'm sorry, but if this is an actual quote from their media and this actually happened, and we haven't heard about it, that's FUCKED UP. There are now open nucs in cuba? That's is FUCKED UP! And it happened less than a month ago?

Fucking media bullshit. We deserve what we're gonna get.

Now can you blame Putin? Our country is so bi-polar, you can never trust us. In 4 years or 8 max you'll get an entirely different approach. The arabs see it this way too. The US Government constantly betrays its allies and goes back on its word as the wind blows and as the elections go.

Elvis, you also made a great point about the petroleum infrastructure in the gulf. I love to hate on you but it appears you're on point here.

[ELVIS]

Thankya verymuch...

I appreciate that...


:elvis:

[ELVIS]

Our mainstream media is propaganda, misinformation bullshit!

All mainstream outlets lie by complete omission, distortion and manipulation of facts...

[knuckleboner]

Our mainstream media is propaganda, misinformation bullshit!

All mainstream outlets lie by complete omission, distortion and manipulation of facts...

so that makes the fringe media paragons of truth?...

[ELVIS]

Not a paragon, but the truth is out there...

It's sifting through it that's nearly impossible for busy working people because you have to read through tons of bullshit and info from all over the world to get a picture of what's going on...

[Diamondjimi]

You're all about weak sauce with that tired projection. How's that MP3 coming?


I'm busy saving humanity...


Riiiight. Found the ones you sent me, btw.

Seriously dude?

Lemme guess.... forgettable originals with a lame sounding drum machine droning behind
a chorus/reverb drenched guitar goin weedle weedle weedle? :lmao:

[ODShowtime]

Our mainstream media is propaganda, misinformation bullshit!

All mainstream outlets lie by complete omission, distortion and manipulation of facts...

Living on the business end of the PSU witchhunt nightmare I am very much aware of that. But we don't know that Putin is playing some serious chess in the Caribbean? Just utter horseshit. Like I said, we deserve what we'll get.

I'm sickened by this. I guess the only difference between now and the cuban missile crisis is that strategically, the boomers make this less important. But politically this is a huge move. And I live in Tampa. I doubt we'd get much warning before Centcom is wiped out.

[clarathecarrot]

All I hope for is that the first nuke lands right on the top of my head.

If it doesn't, I am happy all those end of days people got on a TV Show and gave us a manifest of thier food stockpiles, and thier armament stockpile locations and their GPS coordinates...awfull nice of them....

[ODShowtime]

I'm at the point where I don't even give a shit if the world ends. I want to watch it burn.

[fourthcoming]

I'm at the point where I don't even give a shit if the world ends. I want to watch it burn.

Wow dude.....been there a time or two in life. Chin up bro.

[Nickdfresh]

I'm at the point where I don't even give a shit if the world ends. I want to watch it burn.

Dude, are you like, okay?

[DONNIEP]

Dude, are you like, okay?

I was thinking the same thing...hate to see anybody here be that down, if that's what OD meant.

[clarathecarrot]

You don't need to worry about ODS till he sais he wants to, Make It Burn.

ODS, I am with you completely, Life is good,but Fuk'em..lol

Mutha on.

[Angel]

I'm at the point where I don't even give a shit if the world ends. I want to watch it burn.

Stop the world...I want to get off! I hear ya, ODS!!!

[So this is love]

I wish the world won't end on a Friday-Saturday or Sunday...any other day is fine with me...

[FORD]

The world will end on a Monday in the month of May. Just to capitalize on the supreme shittyness factor of it all.

What year? Fuck if I know.

[DONNIEP]

The world will end on a Monday in the month of May. Just to capitalize on the supreme shittyness factor of it all.

What year? Fuck if I know.

Are we talkin' about the world coming to an end or just organized societies coming to an end? 'Cause the number of guns and bullets one needs is completely different depending on the answer :) :gulp:

[Angel]

Hell, Russian AND US subs are in our waters up north on a regular basis...

[Dr. Love]

Hell, Russian AND US subs are in our waters up north on a regular basis...

Yeah but your country doesn't delight in antagonizing the rest of the world.

[Nickdfresh]

Yeah but your country doesn't delight in antagonizing the rest of the world.

They also don't pretend they can maintain their standard of life while using several times the resourses of anyone else--then just withdraw from the world and assume it will all be the same...

[Dr. Love]

I don't assume it'll be the same. In fact, I'm hoping it will be much different.'

But you're right... fuck 'em. We've pissed them off this much, consumed this much, what's the point in stopping now?

UNLEASH THE DRONES!

[Nickdfresh]

UNLEASH YOUR SIG!

http://www.infobarrel.com/media/image/98407.jpg

[Angel]

Yeah but your country doesn't delight in antagonizing the rest of the world.

Give Herr Harper time....

[jacksmar]

en.ria.ru/military_news/20130320/180124266/Russia-to-Modernize-Akula-Class-Attack-Submarines.html


MOSCOW, March 20 (RIA Novosti) – Russia will modernize its fleet of the third-generation Project 971 (Akula class) nuclear-powered attack submarines, Vladimir Dorofeyev, head of the Malakhit Design Bureau, said.

“The Defense Ministry has decided to overhaul all third-generation attack submarines,” Dorofeyev said on Tuesday in an interview with RIA Novosti.

“The first Project 971 submarine is already being upgraded at the Zvezdochka shipyard [in northern Russia],” he said without specifying the name of the vessel and the total number of submarines to be overhauled.


http://votingamerican.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/e0bacd9981c34c31b4ebbf7d9500d72c2.jpg

[FORD]

Geezus.... is this like National Necroposting Day or something?

[ODShowtime]

Ah this brings me back to the good old days...

[Nitro Express]

So you think RT AMERICA, an American network with American hosts is "KGB Propaganda", but you believe PRAVDA, which literally was the state newspaper of the Soviet Union??

Russia Today is owned by the russian governement and was started by Vladamir Putin.

[Nitro Express]

Honestly. I get tired of hearing all this paranoia about Russia. The US and the EU have blown it due to their own internal corruption. The US is no longer a super power and it's no longer credible. It used the fall of the soviet union as an excuse to try and take over the middle east using military force. Meanwhile China focused on modernizing it's economy and used diplomacy and not military might to expand it's influence in the the world. Russia kicked out the oligarchs fleecing it and has managed to pay off all it's debt and rebuild it's economy.

The US and EU together have racked up $30 trillion in debt and have little to show for it. The banking class that run the US and EU desperately want a war because the public in both sectors are wising up to the banking scandals. Also there is a looming currency crisis.

Russia's long-term plan is to focus on the east. It's partnered with China. It wants to spend it's resources rebuilding it's infastructure. It knows Europe is an aging, declining region and it knows the US is no longer a super power or credible. Russia doesn't have to invade eastern Europe, it just has to run the clock out while the EU and US finish hanging themselves. Russia will protect it's interests like naval bases but any major invasions would be counter productive and stupid. The EU and US can't even help Greece. The IMF fleeces countries. The Ukraine has some of the best agriculture land in Europe and ag is going to be a hot industry. Russia will wait it out, build it's economy and down the line you will have russia with a lot of money and a desperate Ukraine in need of money with wheat to sell.

Russia is going on the chinese model. Don't conquer, become the best business partner. It's worked fabulous for china. Why the US does not do this is they are stuck on feeding a huge military industrial complex and needs world conflict to justify it. The people in the US need to get a brain and stop getting sucked into this russia panic because it's engineered to be a distraction and focus instead on ousting the Federal Reserve Bank. It's our real enemy not Russia or Iran. We need to get control of our money and do what Russia is doing. Rebuild our country.

Russia will hold the crimea and refuse to recognize the so called new government in Ukraine. It will continue to recognize the current president exiled to Russia. When election time comes up Russia will push for fair elections in the Ukraine saying the people should decide who their president is going to be. This will throw it back onto the west and we will see what their reaction is to free elections. Of course I'm sure both sides will meddle in the elections but this is going to be the extent of the Ukraine situation.

I think the US and EU were trying to bait Russia into being over aggressive to justify a military build up. Russia is going to play it cool because they see the situation as bait. Russians play chess and think nine steps ahead. The US and EU play Candyland and can't even win at that. NATO is a dinosaur, the US dollar is in decline, and the US has lost it's superpower status. The old geopolitical games are coming to an end and Zibignew Brzenski and Henry Kissinger are old men almost ready to die and kiss Satan's rosy red asshole. Ilk like them ran up our debt and destroyed our credability so them and their corporate buddies could fleece the world using "spreading democracy" and fake patrotism as the excuse. Under their doctrine we always needed an enemy somewhere.

To be honest, the world will be better off without a major superpower but with several more evenly matched nations.

[Nitro Express]

Give Herr Harper time....

Canada doesn't have the big military to abuse but it's a haven for white collar crime. It ranks as one of the worst nations in world for it. Harper is as crooked as they come. Another puppet of the banking elite running their scams. No surprise Obamacare is being linked to a crooked database management company in Montreal that also fleeced the Canadian healthcare system. It's all international fraud ran by multinational corporations who buy up politicians and take over governments.

The only difference is in the US they have some dangerous toys to abuse to steal oil and minerals with. Spread democracy and steal the mines and oil fields. Oh and let's not forget that Afghanistan poppy. Yeah. Now we have a heroin problem in the US but any US soldier that tries to expose they are guarding the problem gets shot in the head.

[Nickdfresh]

en.ria.ru/military_news/20130320/180124266/Russia-to-Modernize-Akula-Class-Attack-Submarines.html


MOSCOW, March 20 (RIA Novosti) – Russia will modernize its fleet of the third-generation Project 971 (Akula class) nuclear-powered attack submarines, Vladimir Dorofeyev, head of the Malakhit Design Bureau, said....


Does that mean they're going to put tire-patches in the leaks?

Maybe cork the nuclear reactor?

[Nitro Express]

Russia has money now and no debt and has good relations with China. The US and EU have a combined debt of $30 trillion. It would be foolish to underestimate Russia. The door of running our military rough shod over the world is closing. The US is no longer credible or a superpower. It's shot it's wad.

It's exactly why our leaders want war. Distraction from their own failures and an excuse to loot and control the public more.

[FORD]

Russia Today is owned by the russian governement and was started by Vladamir Putin.

Technically, that's true. But Pooty doesn't have any say in what program hosts like Abby Martin or Thom Hartmann say. And if he had any control over his news desk, it ain't going to last long if his US anchors all quit on him.

Liz Wahl just did exactly that......



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3dSuVUdzgs

I don't watch RT as much as I used to (since Alyona left, and I can catch up with Thom's show on Hulu) but I'll miss Liz and her seemingly endless collection of red dresses (don't think she ever wore any other color)

[FORD]

Here's the Abby Martin piece Liz was referring to, BTW......


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZolXrjGIBJs

[Nitro Express]

Ah all these news channels have their bias. You still can get more news off of RT, Press TV, or Al Jazzera than you can from Fox, CNN, or MSNBC. From what I understand Abby still has her job at RT. I doubt she knew Russia can legally have 25,000 troops in the Crimea. The whole thing is a complicated issue and too many people are just making assumptions. Alex Jones would give her a job. LOL!

[FORD]

RT actually has a plug in for XBMC that works great, so I can access that if I need to. I can get a decent stream of Press TV on occasion, though I haven't watched it for any length of time. Al Jazeera also has a plugin for XBMC, and it carries the original English language channel, but oddly enough, NOT Al Jazeera America (which replaced Al Gore's Current TV).

Hell, I even find CNN International on occasion (which is more like CNN used to be before the AOL/CIA/TimeWhorener buyout) though it's usually not the best quality. I'd still take it over Leslie Blitzer, Piss Morgan, and Nancy Grace though.

Also Hulu gets Thom Hartman's "The Big Picture" and Abby Martin's "Breaking The Set", and that's also available on XBMC plugin, if you don't want to watch TV on your computer.

Free Speech TV is another stream I can get most of the time. They carry The Big Picture, as well as a video version of Thom's daytime radio show, Ring of Fire TV, Democracy Now, and a bunch of other great stuff. Both Dish TV and Direct TV both carry this channel, but the cable monopolies don't, as far as I know. I get it through XBMC (like everything else)

So yeah, there's "alternative" news out there..... if you're willing to fuck around with the technology to find it.

[Nitro Express]

http://presstv.com/detail/2014/03/03/353055/west-baits-putin-but-he-doesnt-bite/

Here's a good article posted on PressTV on the west trying to set Putin up so they can justify taking the Ukraine and taking the profits out of the lucrative Ukraine gas fields. It's the same old shit. The IMF will give loans and when the Ukraine defaults the gas fields pay off the load. They have pulled this shit in Africa for years. Now they are pulling it in a strategic area for a nuclear armed power. The west is off it's nut.

[WACF]

Canada doesn't have the big military to abuse but it's a haven for white collar crime. It ranks as one of the worst nations in world for it. Harper is as crooked as they come. Another puppet of the banking elite running their scams. No surprise Obamacare is being linked to a crooked database management company in Montreal that also fleeced the Canadian healthcare system. It's all international fraud ran by multinational corporations who buy up politicians and take over governments.

The only difference is in the US they have some dangerous toys to abuse to steal oil and minerals with. Spread democracy and steal the mines and oil fields. Oh and let's not forget that Afghanistan poppy. Yeah. Now we have a heroin problem in the US but any US soldier that tries to expose they are guarding the problem gets shot in the head.

Where you get your info on PM Harper from?

He is actually a lot better than our previous Liberal PM's..like all politicians he makes some pretty stupid decisions but that's the course they all take.

He is the first PM I have seen call out the UN and their hypocrisy.

He called out Global Carbon Tax as a scheme...right on the money...sorry Al Gore.

Suggested the US could be off conflict oil...buy Canadian...but it is clear the US has no interest.

Overall...I am more concerned about our next possible PM.

The guy is even more of an empty suit than Obama...all flash(we could have a "selfie" PM just like you guys).

Watching the media work at building him up and Carbon taxes is amazing...scary actually.

His advisor's on the economy are a joke...I fear our future...we are going to be taxed into submission...then the banks here will own us.

[WACF]

RT actually has a plug in for XBMC that works great, so I can access that if I need to. I can get a decent stream of Press TV on occasion, though I haven't watched it for any length of time. Al Jazeera also has a plugin for XBMC, and it carries the original English language channel, but oddly enough, NOT Al Jazeera America (which replaced Al Gore's Current TV).

Hell, I even find CNN International on occasion (which is more like CNN used to be before the AOL/CIA/TimeWhorener buyout) though it's usually not the best quality. I'd still take it over Leslie Blitzer, Piss Morgan, and Nancy Grace though.

Also Hulu gets Thom Hartman's "The Big Picture" and Abby Martin's "Breaking The Set", and that's also available on XBMC plugin, if you don't want to watch TV on your computer.

Free Speech TV is another stream I can get most of the time. They carry The Big Picture, as well as a video version of Thom's daytime radio show, Ring of Fire TV, Democracy Now, and a bunch of other great stuff. Both Dish TV and Direct TV both carry this channel, but the cable monopolies don't, as far as I know. I get it through XBMC (like everything else)

So yeah, there's "alternative" news out there..... if you're willing to fuck around with the technology to find it.

Years ago...I used to watch CNN to see what was going on in the world...I preferred it to Canadian back then.

I have not for years now...but...when we go to Mexico it is usually the only English option(and Fox)...and I find it is beyond horrible.

There is next to nothing when it comes decent international news.

[Angel]

Where you get your info on PM Harper from?

He is actually a lot better than our previous Liberal PM's..like all politicians he makes some pretty stupid decisions but that's the course they all take.

He is the first PM I have seen call out the UN and their hypocrisy.

He called out Global Carbon Tax as a scheme...right on the money...sorry Al Gore.

Suggested the US could be off conflict oil...buy Canadian...but it is clear the US has no interest.

Overall...I am more concerned about our next possible PM.

The guy is even more of an empty suit than Obama...all flash(we could have a "selfie" PM just like you guys).

Watching the media work at building him up and Carbon taxes is amazing...scary actually.

His advisor's on the economy are a joke...I fear our future...we are going to be taxed into submission...then the banks here will own us.

Better than Chretien? Are you serious??? I have concerns about Justin, but not nearly as many as I do Harper. Look what he's done to our veterans for starters. And don't get me started on First Nations.

Where's the transparency and accountability he promised? Hidden somewhere that's for sure!

How about his employment promises? Canadians are out of work but the Temporary Foreign workers are busy sending their hard-earned Canadian dollars to their families back home.

He has ruined Canada's reputation on the world stage and I have no doubt that the door will hit him on the way out.

[WACF]

Better than Chretien? Are you serious??? I have concerns about Justin, but not nearly as many as I do Harper. Look what he's done to our veterans for starters. And don't get me started on First Nations.

Where's the transparency and accountability he promised? Hidden somewhere that's for sure!

How about his employment promises? Canadians are out of work but the Temporary Foreign workers are busy sending their hard-earned Canadian dollars to their families back home.

He has ruined Canada's reputation on the world stage and I have no doubt that the door will hit him on the way out.

The amount of tax payer money Chretien passed to his lawyer buddies is still a sore spot with me.

At least with the Senate scandal...the money was paid back to tax payers...something Ad Scam never did.

Transparency and Accountability...well...the Libs never pulled it off either...I doubt any of them can...even Layton had ghosts.

Employment promises?
A lot of Canadians don't want to move to work...why do Mexican's come up to work farms in the summer...because Farmers can not find enough young labour.
Why do Chinese miners come here? Because Canadian's don't want to move to secluded areas in BC or Northern Quebec. Even the Unions are baffled...they hate foreign labour but admit our workfoce is not as motivated as it once was.
In Sask we brought trades people in from Ireland because we can not recruit enough tradesmen from the east...a lot do not want to move here.

You should see what I get to work with...today's younger generation is very different than we were...does not matter if you talk to Miners, Nurses, Doctors or Dry wallers.

In Sask. the mine Contracting companies are doing good business...and the postitive there is we are seeing a lot more First Nations.

As far as Canada's reputation on the world stage...what is ruined?

What matters?

When I go to the State's or Mexico I always hear postitives...


EDIT...

Veterans....every one of our federal governments have never done right by our vets.

I don't get that...it is just wrong.

First Nations....the Libs never did much either.
The Con's want to know where the money goes...and they showed us...a good start.
There needs to be a bigger change but seems impossible...we need to be treated equally for starters...but that will take generations.
I work with some First Nations that totally get it...even they don't understand the lack of will to move forward.

[FORD]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u47a0T51WTE

[WACF]

That was a decent clip...but...I am not even that sure how independent "independent" really is.

There are always influences...and like she said...follow the money...in most cases it's hard to do.

Overall though...mainstream media is hard to trust.

[Nitro Express]

Better than Chretien? Are you serious??? I have concerns about Justin, but not nearly as many as I do Harper. Look what he's done to our veterans for starters. And don't get me started on First Nations.

Where's the transparency and accountability he promised? Hidden somewhere that's for sure!

How about his employment promises? Canadians are out of work but the Temporary Foreign workers are busy sending their hard-earned Canadian dollars to their families back home.

He has ruined Canada's reputation on the world stage and I have no doubt that the door will hit him on the way out.

Just replace Canada with US and it's a pretty good description of Obama.

[Nitro Express]

Years ago...I used to watch CNN to see what was going on in the world...I preferred it to Canadian back then.

I have not for years now...but...when we go to Mexico it is usually the only English option(and Fox)...and I find it is beyond horrible.

There is next to nothing when it comes decent international news.

I miss the Rudi Baktiar days of CNN.