Article

2008-08-18 Europe

Germany: Schröder criticized for blaming Russian conflict on Georgia

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Posted by mrp 2008-08-18 08:35|| || Front Page|| [6 views ] Top

#1 hmmm?

Step 1 in using soft power is uniting the players, and slapping down Schroeder is the first step to Germany coming on board.

There does seem to be definitional confusion though. Does economic power constitute soft power, or hard power? Seems supporters of soft power like to include it, and those who deride soft power like to consider economic power part of hard power.

Posted by liberalhawk 2008-08-18 09:04|| 2008-08-18 09:04|| Front Page Top

#2 That pipeline's gonna be like a hypodermic needle pumping junk into Germany's veins. Russia gets 'em addicted and they'll do whatever their masters in Moscow want.

Posted by Abu Uluque 2008-08-18 09:49|| 2008-08-18 09:49|| Front Page Top

#3 AU -

Not only that, but the Wiki article on the Nord Stream gas pipeline project does a nice job of pointing out the political ramifications of the pipeline:

1) After completion, current gas pipeline transit countries - Ukraine, Poland, Slovakia, Belarus, CR will face the possibility of having gas re-routed to the Nord Stream pipeline, leaving them even more vulnerable to Russian coercion. Not to mention a reduction in transit fees.

2) The Nord Stream pipeline will include an extensive array of sensors and repeaters networked via fiber-optic cable.

Posted by mrp 2008-08-18 10:10|| 2008-08-18 10:10|| Front Page Top

#4 Former Chancellor Schroeder? How would he know what the inner circles at the Kremlin are planning? He was only hired for his contacts in the West, after all, and that only of the main Russian petroleum producer. Really, you'd think the man would finally learn his place!

Posted by trailing wife ">trailing wife 2008-08-18 10:13|| 2008-08-18 10:13|| Front Page Top

#5 This is all the more reason the US MUST be energy independent sooner rather than later.

Posted by Danielle 2008-08-18 15:01|| 2008-08-18 15:01|| Front Page Top

#6 Russian oil and gas go to Europe, not the U.S., so this impacts us only in as much as fungible oil from elsewhere goes to the highest bidder.Fortunately, it's only August, so there is some time yet before winter cold starts to bite in the non-southern countries of Europe. They many want to finance the building of more nuclear power plants in France to offset Russian brinkmanship.

But I do agree that we need to drill here, now.

Posted by trailing wife ">trailing wife 2008-08-18 16:05|| 2008-08-18 16:05|| Front Page Top

#7 Looky here it's a retarded child saying naughty woids when his mama is out hustling tricks!!

LOL poor child!

~:)

Posted by Red Dawg">Red Dawg 2008-08-18 17:00|| 2008-08-18 17:00|| Front Page Top

#8 TW I waz referring to those Damn trolls who's number and comment were completely wiped off the boards!!

They had a comment in-between you and me but since it waz taken away it looks like I was talking to you...

:)

Posted by Red Dawg">Red Dawg 2008-08-18 23:05|| 2008-08-18 23:05|| Front Page Top

#9 Sorry, big guy. Part of what happens when the mods take out the trash.

Posted by Pappy 2008-08-18 23:08|| 2008-08-18 23:08|| Front Page Top

#10 Sorry, big guy. Part of what happens when the mods take out the trash.

No problems Sir.. great job you guys are doing today BTW, we've been flooded with piss ant trolls... Thanks!

Posted by Red Dawg">Red Dawg 2008-08-18 23:19|| 2008-08-18 23:19|| Front Page Top

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