Category: GeoPolitics
The analysis published under this category are as follows.Thursday, June 26, 2014
Thawing U.S.-Cuba Relations / Politics / GeoPolitics
By: STRATFOR
A breakthrough in U.S.-Cuba relations may be in the offing. On June 14, Uruguayan President Jose Mujica delivered a letter from U.S. President Barack Obama to Cuban President Raul Castro, according to Uruguayan media June 20, containing an offer to begin talks on a variety of issues, most prominently Washington's longstanding economic embargo. According to Uruguayan media, Obama had asked Mujica to help him improve relations with the island nation when Mujica was in Washington in mid-May. If the report is true, the transaction could be the first step toward reconciliation.
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Sunday, June 22, 2014
The Death Of Nations And The No-Nation Paradigm / Politics / GeoPolitics
By: Andrew_McKillop
 The Neolibs Said
The Neolibs Said
  Concerning western societies and nations,  the “new economy” ideologues of the early 1980s can be blamed for the rot. They  intensely argued for the total triumph of a magic disembodied thing called “the  market” which would sweep away all traces of antique leftovers from the 18th  century – the nation states. Everybody would move up and on to “the market”. It  would be self-organizing and self-running, and (of course) capitalist,  reproducing the Adam Smith paradigm of individual greed somehow producing or  resulting in collective good. That can only make sense!
Friday, June 06, 2014
Dumbing Down D-Day / Politics / GeoPolitics
By: Andrew_McKillop
 Darwin Couldn't Explain
Darwin Couldn't Explain
  If he was still alive, Darwin would have big  problems explaining Dumbed Down D-Day. It wasn't natural evolution. It was probably  “saltationist evolution” literally meaning an evolutionary leap – in the dark.  D-Day ceremonies are laughed off by some, as antique or even pathetic, but that  ignores their strange or bizarre evolution, showing that something else is  happening.
Thursday, June 05, 2014
The Battle of Midway / Politics / GeoPolitics
By: Fred_Sheehan
 The Battle of Midway was fought 72 years ago, from June 4, 1942 to June 7,  1942. Air strikes from U.S. aircraft carriers maimed beyond repair the four  Japanese aircraft carriers. The Japanese fleet, and Japan, never recovered.
The Battle of Midway was fought 72 years ago, from June 4, 1942 to June 7,  1942. Air strikes from U.S. aircraft carriers maimed beyond repair the four  Japanese aircraft carriers. The Japanese fleet, and Japan, never recovered.
Less than six months earlier, on December 7, 1941, the Japanese attack swept across the Pacific. Franklin Roosevelt, in his "Day of Infamy" speech, told the damage:
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Thursday, May 15, 2014
U.S. Mainstream Media Ignores Putin’s Peace Plan / Politics / GeoPolitics
By: Mike_Whitney
 “Let me repeat again, that in Russia’s view, the blame for the crisis in Ukraine lies with those who organized the coup d’etat in Kiev on February 22-23… But whatever the case, we must look for a way to solve the situation as it is today….And, as I said, what is needed is direct, full-fledged and equal dialogue between the Kiev authorities and the representatives of people in southeast Ukraine….I don’t know whether a Geneva-2 round of talks.. is realistic. (But) I believe that if we want to find a long-term solution to the crisis, there must be an open, honest and equal dialogue . That is our only option.” -Russian President Vladimir Putin, press statement, OCSE meeting, Moscow, May 7, 2014
“Let me repeat again, that in Russia’s view, the blame for the crisis in Ukraine lies with those who organized the coup d’etat in Kiev on February 22-23… But whatever the case, we must look for a way to solve the situation as it is today….And, as I said, what is needed is direct, full-fledged and equal dialogue between the Kiev authorities and the representatives of people in southeast Ukraine….I don’t know whether a Geneva-2 round of talks.. is realistic. (But) I believe that if we want to find a long-term solution to the crisis, there must be an open, honest and equal dialogue . That is our only option.” -Russian President Vladimir Putin, press statement, OCSE meeting, Moscow, May 7, 2014
Monday, May 12, 2014
Russian Borderlands: The View from Azerbaijan / Politics / GeoPolitics
By: STRATFOR
 I arrive in Azerbaijan as the country celebrates Victory Day, the day successor states of the former Soviet Union celebrate the defeat of Germany in World War II. No one knows how many Soviet citizens died in that war -- perhaps 22 million. The number is staggering and represents both the incompetence and magnificence of Russia, which led the Soviets in war. Any understanding of Russia that speaks of one without the other is flawed.
I arrive in Azerbaijan as the country celebrates Victory Day, the day successor states of the former Soviet Union celebrate the defeat of Germany in World War II. No one knows how many Soviet citizens died in that war -- perhaps 22 million. The number is staggering and represents both the incompetence and magnificence of Russia, which led the Soviets in war. Any understanding of Russia that speaks of one without the other is flawed.
Saturday, May 10, 2014
Putin's Flaky Ritual Of May 8th / Politics / GeoPolitics
By: Andrew_McKillop
 Putin Celebrates VE Day His Own Way
Putin Celebrates VE Day His Own Way
  What are dubbed the “western allies” of the  USA – Great Britain, France and Germany – joined with the US, or at least with  Obama, to celebrate the total defeat of Nazi Germany on May 8, 1945. This is  called VE Day for Victory Europe Day - but Vladimir Putin wasn't there.
He went to Crimea to celebrate the Russian version of VE Day, which is May 9. This drew stern editorials in the glove puppet media and howls of protest from Obama, Cameron, Hollande and Merkel. All four of them - including Merkel.
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Wednesday, May 07, 2014
Global Paradigm Shift Underway, Swing States and Event Schedule / Politics / GeoPolitics
By: Jim_Willie_CB
 The crucial  swing states for deciding the US  presidential elections through voting system fraud were Ohio  and Florida.  Whether by machine software with rigged software programming or by bussing in  Somalians or by altering the vote count upon final submission or basic bully  tactics to prevent entrance into the voting centers, the US national  elections were truly tainted. The commonly followed Exit Polls are proof of  vote fraud. The Paradigm Shift was to the fascist state in full blossom. A law  was even passed to prevent challenges of the voting machines and software, a  certain brand always in the spotlight. Recall that voter system fraud is a key  trait of a Third World nation, along with bank  fraud, absent rule of law, economic decay, and devotion to war. On the global  stage, the swing states are of a different more macro meaning in the shaping of  the Paradigm Shift. The shift is toward the East as financial center of  gravity, altered by the extraordinary movement of Gold bullion from London and Swiss banking  centers.
The crucial  swing states for deciding the US  presidential elections through voting system fraud were Ohio  and Florida.  Whether by machine software with rigged software programming or by bussing in  Somalians or by altering the vote count upon final submission or basic bully  tactics to prevent entrance into the voting centers, the US national  elections were truly tainted. The commonly followed Exit Polls are proof of  vote fraud. The Paradigm Shift was to the fascist state in full blossom. A law  was even passed to prevent challenges of the voting machines and software, a  certain brand always in the spotlight. Recall that voter system fraud is a key  trait of a Third World nation, along with bank  fraud, absent rule of law, economic decay, and devotion to war. On the global  stage, the swing states are of a different more macro meaning in the shaping of  the Paradigm Shift. The shift is toward the East as financial center of  gravity, altered by the extraordinary movement of Gold bullion from London and Swiss banking  centers. 
Tuesday, May 06, 2014
Russia Sanctions - Why Hasn't The U.S. Gone After Gazprom? / Politics / GeoPolitics
By: OilPrice_Com
 Amidst the deepening war of words over Moscow's annexation of Crimea,   U.S. President Barack Obama on April 28 added more Russian individuals   and companies to a sanctions list that already included influential   members of Russian President Vladimir Putin's inner circle and Bank   Rossiya, which has close ties to the Russian leadership. The new list   freezes the assets of Igor Sechin, head of Russia's major oil company,   Rosneft, six other individuals and 17 companies.
Amidst the deepening war of words over Moscow's annexation of Crimea,   U.S. President Barack Obama on April 28 added more Russian individuals   and companies to a sanctions list that already included influential   members of Russian President Vladimir Putin's inner circle and Bank   Rossiya, which has close ties to the Russian leadership. The new list   freezes the assets of Igor Sechin, head of Russia's major oil company,   Rosneft, six other individuals and 17 companies. Read full article... Read full article...
Tuesday, May 06, 2014
Borderlands: The New Strategic Landscape / Politics / GeoPolitics
By: STRATFOR
 I will be leaving this week to visit a string of countries that are now on the front line between Russia and the European Peninsula: Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Serbia and Azerbaijan. A tour like that allows you to look at the details of history. But it is impossible to understand those details out of context. The more I think about recent events, the more I realize that what has happened in Ukraine can only be understood by considering European geopolitics since 1914 -- a hundred years ago and the beginning of World War I.
I will be leaving this week to visit a string of countries that are now on the front line between Russia and the European Peninsula: Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Serbia and Azerbaijan. A tour like that allows you to look at the details of history. But it is impossible to understand those details out of context. The more I think about recent events, the more I realize that what has happened in Ukraine can only be understood by considering European geopolitics since 1914 -- a hundred years ago and the beginning of World War I.
Monday, May 05, 2014
Putin is Dangerous - A Dangerous Time For Us All / Politics / GeoPolitics
By: Andrew_McKillop
 Putin is Dangerous
Putin is Dangerous
  France, which is happy to have sold two  Mistral-class “invasion platform” attack ships to Russia for about $1.5 billion  and to this day is still training 400 Russian sailors how to use them, is also  running what can be called “sophisticated” anti-Putin propaganda through its  State-owned and controlled media outlets. One of them, France-Inter radio runs  regular interviews with Russian-origin political writer Vladimir Federovski who  is promoting, with French State help, his latest book “Putin-The Secret  Itinerary”. He is given copious interview sessions on a regular basis.
Saturday, May 03, 2014
Millenial Warfare Quest In The Ukraine – Praise God And Pass The Munitions / Politics / GeoPolitics
By: Andrew_McKillop
 Warfare Quest Goes Millenial
Warfare Quest Goes Millenial
  The conventional definition of  “millenarianism” and millenial cults identifies them as usually found in  pre-western or so-called primitive societies. They always feature deliberate  acts of fantasy and social delirium. Cults often includes sexual abstention and  a sharp reduction in pregnancies and births, which for us would mean breeding  fewer consumers who - later on - can imbibe war-crazed claptrap. In so-called  primitive societies, millenarian cults often include “extreme risk” sport  activities, with frequent death and injury because cult adepts believe they  cannot be harmed and are untouchable.
Friday, May 02, 2014
Why is Putin in Washington’s Crosshairs? / Politics / GeoPolitics
By: Mike_Whitney
 US provocations in Ukraine cannot be understood apart from Washington’s “Pivot   to Asia”, which is the broader strategic plan to shift attention from the Middle   East to Asia. The so called “re-balancing” is actually a blueprint for   controlling China’s growth in a way that is compatible with US hegemonic   ambitions. There are different schools of thought about how this can be   achieved, but loosely speaking they fall into two categories, “dragon slayers”   and “panda huggers”. Dragon slayers favor a strategy of containment while panda   huggers favor engagement. As yet, the final shape of the policy has not been   decided, but it’s clear from hostilities in the South China Sea and the Senkaku   Islands, that the plan will depend heavily on military force.
US provocations in Ukraine cannot be understood apart from Washington’s “Pivot   to Asia”, which is the broader strategic plan to shift attention from the Middle   East to Asia. The so called “re-balancing” is actually a blueprint for   controlling China’s growth in a way that is compatible with US hegemonic   ambitions. There are different schools of thought about how this can be   achieved, but loosely speaking they fall into two categories, “dragon slayers”   and “panda huggers”. Dragon slayers favor a strategy of containment while panda   huggers favor engagement. As yet, the final shape of the policy has not been   decided, but it’s clear from hostilities in the South China Sea and the Senkaku   Islands, that the plan will depend heavily on military force.
Thursday, May 01, 2014
Putin - Accusations of Fascism are Flying High and Low / Politics / GeoPolitics
By: Andrew_McKillop
 Pointing The Finger
Pointing The Finger
  Tablet magazine, which describes itself 'A  New Read On Jewish Life' said in its April 4 issue that Putin for obvious  reasons is falsely claiming the Kiev Flash Mob government's rise to power was  ..”not a popular movement for democracy, European integration, and honest  government”. Tablet says Putin pretends that the Kiev Flash Mob rose to power  in  “a coup executed by nationalists,  neo-Nazis, Russophobes, and anti-semites”. Tablet magazine writer James  Kirchick then said that Jewish leaders in Ukraine have taken out  full-page advertisements in the 'New York Times', Canada's 'National  Post', and Israel's 'Ha’aretz' to face down Putin’s allegations of  creeping fascism in their homeland.  These ads told Putin:  “Your  certainty of the growth of anti-semitism in the Ukraine does not correspond to  the actual facts. It seems you have confused Ukraine with Russia.”
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
The U.S. Opts for Ineffective Sanctions on Russia / Politics / GeoPolitics
By: STRATFOR
 The United States announced new sanctions on seven Russian government officials April 28. A long-used tactic, sanctions can yield unpredictable effects or have no effect at all, depending upon how they are crafted. It is commonly assumed that sanctions are applied when a target country's actions are deemed unacceptable. The sanctioning nation presumably chooses sanctions to avoid war when war would be too costly or could result in defeat.
The United States announced new sanctions on seven Russian government officials April 28. A long-used tactic, sanctions can yield unpredictable effects or have no effect at all, depending upon how they are crafted. It is commonly assumed that sanctions are applied when a target country's actions are deemed unacceptable. The sanctioning nation presumably chooses sanctions to avoid war when war would be too costly or could result in defeat.
Friday, April 25, 2014
Is America Preparing For The Wrong War? / Politics / GeoPolitics
By: Raul_I_Meijer
 Arseniy Yatsenyuk, PM in name only of certain parts of what was once   Ukraine, today solemnly declared that Russia wants to start World War   III. I am not kidding you. He said it this way: “The world has not yet   forgotten World War II, but Russia already wants to start World War   III.” An estimated 28 million Russians died in World War II, which might   be more than in all other nations combined, so if there’s one country   that has not forgotten it, it’s Russia. Yatsenyuk’s remark needs to be   seen in that light, because he knows very well how it will be received   in Russia. That’s why he says it. It’s such a dark sort of provocation   that one might suspect it’s meant to start a war. It’s not that   different from accusing a group of Jewish people of wanting to start a   holocaust.
Arseniy Yatsenyuk, PM in name only of certain parts of what was once   Ukraine, today solemnly declared that Russia wants to start World War   III. I am not kidding you. He said it this way: “The world has not yet   forgotten World War II, but Russia already wants to start World War   III.” An estimated 28 million Russians died in World War II, which might   be more than in all other nations combined, so if there’s one country   that has not forgotten it, it’s Russia. Yatsenyuk’s remark needs to be   seen in that light, because he knows very well how it will be received   in Russia. That’s why he says it. It’s such a dark sort of provocation   that one might suspect it’s meant to start a war. It’s not that   different from accusing a group of Jewish people of wanting to start a   holocaust. 
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Ukraine, War Fever, Sanity and a Daisy / Politics / GeoPolitics
By: Michael_T_Bucci
 The Ukraine imbroglio has left this writer  and others swimming against two mutually opposing perpetual tides preempting  objectivity.
The Ukraine imbroglio has left this writer  and others swimming against two mutually opposing perpetual tides preempting  objectivity.
Firstly, war fever has been induced in the U.S. population as it has in the Russian people, this is a given. Secondly, to geopolitical analysts there are no independent sources of news to be found in the world (including Asia). One either believes Mr. Obama or one believes Mr. Putin and the web will provide every rationale needed to support either side, as well as provide a smorgasbord of conspiracy theories that support one or the other side, but not both sides.
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Saturday, April 19, 2014
Elite Herd Psychology And War By Default / Politics / GeoPolitics
By: Andrew_McKillop
 Seven Types of Schizophrenia
Seven Types of Schizophrenia
The earliest clinical definition of  schizophrenia and the schizoid denial of reality dates to 1911 and the Swiss  psychologist Eugen Bleuler, who moved on from previous medical definitions of  dementia, by including the key parameter of “positive and negative” schizoid  states. The number of these states is still a question of debate among  psychiatrists, biologists, and political scientists and historians, seeking  explanations for deliberately irrational individual behavior and the mass  behavior of elites.
Friday, April 18, 2014
The Obama Game - Is Putin Being Lured Into a Trap? / Politics / GeoPolitics
By: Mike_Whitney
 “Russia … is now recognized as the center of the   global ‘mutiny’ against global dictatorship of the US and EU. Its generally   peaceful .. approach is in direct contrast to brutal and destabilizing methods   used by the US and EU…. The world is waking up to reality that there actually   is, suddenly, some strong and determined resistance to Western imperialism.   After decades of darkness, hope is emerging.” – Andre Vltchek, Ukraine: Lies and Realities,   CounterPunch
“Russia … is now recognized as the center of the   global ‘mutiny’ against global dictatorship of the US and EU. Its generally   peaceful .. approach is in direct contrast to brutal and destabilizing methods   used by the US and EU…. The world is waking up to reality that there actually   is, suddenly, some strong and determined resistance to Western imperialism.   After decades of darkness, hope is emerging.” – Andre Vltchek, Ukraine: Lies and Realities,   CounterPunch
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Investors Ignore Frightful Russia, Europe Geopolitics / Stock-Markets / GeoPolitics
By: John_Browne
 When the former Soviet Union collapsed almost 25 years ago, most global strategic forecasters assumed that the U.S. would adapt pragmatically to her new status of sole world superpower. Instead she has pursued a variety of misguided nation-building adventures and has largely shrunk from her primary responsibility of neutralizing the ambitions of petty dictators around the world. From this perspective, America's multi-generational expenditures on military personnel and equipment has become more of a stealth economic stimulus program rather than an insurance policy for global stability.
When the former Soviet Union collapsed almost 25 years ago, most global strategic forecasters assumed that the U.S. would adapt pragmatically to her new status of sole world superpower. Instead she has pursued a variety of misguided nation-building adventures and has largely shrunk from her primary responsibility of neutralizing the ambitions of petty dictators around the world. From this perspective, America's multi-generational expenditures on military personnel and equipment has become more of a stealth economic stimulus program rather than an insurance policy for global stability.  

 
   
	