Article

2008-08-26 Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia

Russia mocks West's displeasure over war in Georgia

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Posted by john frum 2008-08-26 00:00|| || Front Page|| [1 views ] Top

#1 BIGNEWSNETWORK > IRAN WARNS USA NOT TO INTERFERE IN CAUCASUS CRISIS.

Posted by JosephMendiola 2008-08-26 02:42|| 2008-08-26 02:42|| Front Page Top

#2 The tough talk from the Russians on Monday, described by one western envoy as the "bring it on" school of diplomacy, seemed to have some of the desired effect as Britain swiftly issued a plea to Moscow not to suspend all contacts with Nato.

This is worse than sad. And Moldova has been put in the batter's circle. We should let the EUros know we are pulling out of Nato, too.

Posted by Nimble Spemble 2008-08-26 06:33|| 2008-08-26 06:33|| Front Page Top

#3 Vladimir Putin, the prime minister, who said he saw no merit in joining the World Trade Organization hmmm...

Posted by Betty Grating2215 2008-08-26 07:16|| 2008-08-26 07:16|| Front Page Top

#4 Sorta like Japan pulling out of the toothless pre-UN League of Nations over Manchuria.

Posted by Procopius2k 2008-08-26 08:56|| 2008-08-26 08:56|| Front Page Top

#5 nah, they russian stock market is down, and other bad financial things are already happening. "Punish me, I dont care, I dont want anything from you anyway" is tactical, and anyone whos spent much time on schoolyards already knows it. Id be surprised folks here would buy it, if I didnt know about y'alls a priori belief in teh toothlessness of international orgs.

Posted by liberalhawk 2008-08-26 09:08|| 2008-08-26 09:08|| Front Page Top

#6 Strategic. The price of oil is going to fall dramatically. The Russkies will continue to stir the pot to (1) keep the price up to the extent they can and (2) to keep the folks at home riled up about the Evil Americans.

With oil down significantly the standard of living is bound to fall. Falling oil prices were a large part of the reason the Soviet Union fell in '89. Having the Evil Americans as a domestic distraction will help ease the pain. So will more vodka.

Withdrawing from WOT allows Putin to keep out cheaper imports to keep uncompetitive ~~Soviet~~ Russian enterprises in business.

Posted by Nimble Spemble 2008-08-26 10:44|| 2008-08-26 10:44|| Front Page Top

#7 how much have living standards really adjusted upward since oil was at $60 a barrel? If oil fell to $90, would ordinary folks in Russia feel it?

Posted by liberalhawk 2008-08-26 11:03|| 2008-08-26 11:03|| Front Page Top

#8 If we really want to punish Russia, ban them from the Olympics for 20 or 30 years. Watch them scream!

The WTO thingie isn't a biggie, but ejecting them from the G8 would be. The EU should post a 200% tariff on all Russian imports, including oil and gas, and begin buying from elsewhere. Russia needs to learn there are consequences for their behavior.

Posted by Old Patriot">Old Patriot 2008-08-26 12:36|| http://oldpatriot.blogspot.com/]">[http://oldpatriot.blogspot.com/] 2008-08-26 12:36|| Front Page Top

#9 Ivan is getting a bit more ~~paranoid~~ angry and boisterous, now that he's discovered our .... secret STERIZATION PLOT! None this would have seen the light of day had the Rev Jeremiah Wright not leaked our MAN-MADE AIDS capability

Posted by Besoeker 2008-08-26 13:52|| 2008-08-26 13:52|| Front Page Top

#10 If I'm not mistaken, aren't they still buying grain from us? If so, I think there should be some "questions" about the export licenses arising at a strategic time - like just before winter.

Posted by A Very Reasonable Man">A Very Reasonable Man 2008-08-26 20:49|| 2008-08-26 20:49|| Front Page Top

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