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The Forum > Article Comments > A superpower by default? > Comments

A superpower by default? : Comments

By Sasha Uzunov, published 13/10/2008

The Wall Street crisis makes Russia a superpower to watch in our backyard.

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"Georgia is a recent member of NATO, a military alliance ironically founded during the Cold War, as a counter to Soviet expansion. Was the Russian thrust into Georgia a simple test to see if NATO would defend it from being attacked? Well, the Russians discovered that NATO and US troops were not forthcoming when it came to upholding Georgia’s sovereignty." This statement is utterly false so what credibility can one have in the rest of this diatribe.
Posted by Vioetbou, Monday, 13 October 2008 8:56:04 AM
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A wide-ranging topic Sasha but:

- fact checking "Georgia is a recent member of NATO" Nope. The possibililty of Georgia joining NATO in the Future is highly controversial. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgia_and_NATO :

"German Chancellor Angela Merkel said during the meeting with Russian president after the signing of a ceasefire agreement that the promise made to Georgia in Bucharest is still standing. However, she did not indicate a time frame, nor did she retract the earlier insistence of Germany and France, that Georgia must resolve its internal problems prior to any NATO membership"

- Your argument that Australia should worry about Russia's Pacific (Indian Ocean?) objectives because Russia is flexing its muscles on the other side of the world (Europe-Caucauses) is contradictory and unproven. If Russia is concentrating its attention so far away this may be an argument for us caring less OR it may imply that Russia assumes we are, or will be, in someone elses sphere of influence (US then China?).

But I know what you mean. Funnily enough the Russians are leasing a nuclear powered Akula missile submarine to India (currently full Russian test crew but will have a part Russian adviser crew for years). Russia is also helping India build three more Akula's (called ATVs by the Indians) as we speak. Not to mention the large Russian aircraft carrier Russia is modifying for the Indians. The prospect of Russia projecting power through these arrangements (India not a Russian proxy but under Russian technical advice) is cause for Australian (DIO?) concern.

Regards

Peter Coates
Posted by plantagenet, Monday, 13 October 2008 10:35:19 AM
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Thank you all for pointing out that silly error of mine due to hurrying:

The error:

Georgia is a recent member of NATO, a military alliance ironically founded during the Cold War, as a counter to Soviet expansion. Was the Russian thrust into Georgia a simple test to see if NATO would defend it from being attacked? Well, the Russians discovered that NATO and US troops were not forthcoming when it came to upholding Georgia’s sovereignty.

It should should read:

Georgia recently applied to become a member of NATO a military alliance ironically founded during the Cold War, as a counter to Soviet expansion. Was the Russian thrust into Georgia a simple test to see if NATO would defend it from being attacked? Well, the Russians discovered that NATO and US troops were not forthcoming when it came to upholding Georgia’s sovereignty.

I still stand by the story.

cheers
Sasha Uzunov
Posted by Team Uzunov, Monday, 13 October 2008 11:29:51 AM
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Russia will probably not be a major player in the Sth East Asia/Australasia region in the long-term...but certainly China will be.
The problem for Russia, as an invader, is the distance for re-supply lines.
China has the same problem, but to a lesser degree.

A good site on China is
http://www.cuttingedge.org/news/n2066.cfm

As you might expect its a Christian site and though all of the info may not be 100% accurate... the great asian army is and so is its movements.

The Holy Bible, to christians, is the final Word on everything.

This is confirmed by The Holy Spirit in all Christ-believers.
Posted by Gibo, Monday, 13 October 2008 4:59:02 PM
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Hi Sasha

Its good you fixed up Georgia's status - of applying to be in NATO rather than already being in it.

Its also useful that you reminded readers and policy-makers that Russia should continue to be monitored. Russia's naval and air resources even in the Pacific and Indian Ocean are more powerful than any country's except the US.

Particularly in the area of missile submarines (threats providing the least warning) Russia is at least 10 years in front of China and India.

China has well positioned bases http://spyingbadthings.blogspot.com/2008/05/chinas-new-nuclear-naval-base-spotted.html but its submarines are not yet world class.

Peter Coates
Posted by plantagenet, Thursday, 16 October 2008 5:28:10 PM
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