Thread: What Is Happening In Ukraine Is Far More Important Than Most People Realize

The Road to World War III Runs through Ukraine

February 28, 2014 - Featured, Main, War - Tagged: dave hodges, eu, new world order, putin, the common sense show, ukraine, war - 43 comments

Dave Hodges
February 28, 2014
The Common Sense Show


For the immediate moment, forget about all the talk about Russian troops training inside of the United States under a series of the Federal Emergency Management Agency Bilateral Agreements with the Russian military as now reported in European publications. For the moment, let’s suspend our comparisons of the extreme human rights violations committed by Russian backed sympathizers in Kiev and how the same is going to happen in the United States. When I read some of the accounts of the conflict and turmoil in the Ukraine, I feel like I have walked into the middle of the movie and the necessary background has gone unexplained. What first needs to be considered is the importance of the Ukraine and what it means to the grand chessboard as it potentially relates to World War III. There is but one, yet undeniable fact, whoever exercises control over the Ukraine will tip the balance of power in the world, both economically and more importantly, militarily.
Most of the accounts that we are reading are very misleading. These accounts would have us believe that there is an Ukrainian Spring event which surfaced on, or about, November 30th of last year. This is inaccurate as the struggle for who will bring the Ukraine under their sphere of influence has been brewing for some time.
Up until 2010, the Ukraine was turning pro-Western under the Orangist government of Viktor Yushchenkofrom 2005-2010. At the beginning of 2010, it almost appeared to be a certainty that the Ukraine would become an associate member of the European Union. However, Putin led Russia to an unprecedented post cold war economic and military revival. Under heavy Russian influence, this trend was reversed when pro-Russian leader, Victor Yanukovych, assumed the reigns of Ukrainian power in 2010. And now, as the world is witnessing, the modern trend of favoring Russia, is not universally embraced in the Ukraine. As a consequence, the Ukraine remains politically and socially divided between pro-Russian and subsequent pro-Western elements. Therefore, the Ukraine also remains an important tool of influence for both sides. The implications of who controls the Ukraine are staggering.
With the Yankuovych government fleeing to the safe haven of Russia in the midst of Ukrainian civil unrest, has brought the importance of the Ukraine to the center stage of the world’s political scene.

Putin Responds to the Ukrainian Western Leanings

Putin has started rattling his Russian saber as Russia is preparing to conduct military maneuvers along the Ukrainian border. The United States views this move as provocative and has warned Russia that these military exercises could “lead to miscalculation”. This warning occurred only mere hours after a counter-revolutionary move was conducted by pro-Moscow gunmen as they seized government offices in the region of Crimea and raised a Russian flag. A destabilized Ukraine is facing a financial disaster and the likelihood of a violent rebellion in the largely pro-Russian east and south.
The Ukraine is teetering on the brink of civil war.

The Importance of the Ukraine to Russia

The population of the Ukraine is 45 million and it has the second most robust economy in the former states of the former Soviet Republic.This, alone, makes the Ukraine important. However, the Ukraine’s importance extends far beyond these considerations.
In 1979, the Soviets invaded Afghanistan because they were hopeful of establishing a natural gas pipeline through the country and thus, make Russia a player in the energy business. Russia failed in this attempt. Despite losing the war in Afghanistan, the Russians pursued their policy of energy dominance under Putin. Subsequently, Russia has become a major player in the energy business in which Russia supplies much of Europe a healthy portion of its energy needs. Without the Ukraine, Russia becomes a significant purchaser of energy, not a seller. For both Europe and the Russians, the Ukraine is most important for its location, particularly as a transit state for energy. Nearly 25% of the European Union’s natural gas comes from Russia, and 80% of that gas passes through the Ukraine. Wars have been fought for far less important economic reasons.
The Ukrainians also possess a formidable military industrial complex. If the Ukraine were to join the European Union and perhaps even NATO, someday, this would constitute a major national security threat to the Russians as it would make the Cuban Missile Crisis, in reverse, look tame by comparison.
Most importantly, Putin is attempting to establish a Eurasian empire through the resurrection of many of the former Soviet Union States. This move is seen as being of paramount importance because the rise of this imperialistic Eurasian empire will propel the military prowess of the Russians on an equivalent level with the United States. Further, if the Russians and Chinese continue in their efforts to attempt to unseat the dollar as the world’s reserve currency, through the purchase of Iranian oil with gold, Russia must have the military muscle to back up this provocative move. The establishment of an Eurasian empire is of paramount importance to this strategy. Putin is keenly aware that without the Ukraine, Putin’s dreams of creating an Eurasian empire are dead. However, if Russia were to regain control over the Ukraine with its 45 million people, major resources and access to the Black Sea, Russia would automatically regain the necessary leverage to become a powerful imperial state. In short, the control of the Ukraine is a game changer and the outcome could result in World War III.
There are also other considerations when we contemplate how far Russia will go in terms of retaining control over the Ukraine. For example, the Ukraine is vital to Russia because of economic industries, like steel and agriculture. The Ukraine is vitally important to Russia for military reasons. The Ukrainian city of Sevastopol is the headquarters for Russia’s Black Sea Fleet. Any conflict with the West over Syria and Iran will not occur if the Russians do not control the port of Sevastopol. If the Ukraine joins the European Union, and Sevastopol falls into the hands of the West, Syria and Iran will be invaded without hesitation by the Obama administration.
Further, the Ukraine’s strategic location as a borderland between Russia and Europe cannot be overstated. Also, the proximity of the Ukraine to the major food growing region of Russia is critical to the survival of the Russian people. Additionally, the economic heartland in the Volga region makes the country key to Russia’s geopolitical strength and economic prowess.

Ultimately, for reasons of national survival, Putin cannot, and will not allow the Ukraine to join the European Union. Yet, in five weeks, the European Union commences talks with the Ukraine in which the possibility of establishing a free trade agreement between the two parties with the intent of moving the Ukraine into the EU.
In professional sports parlance, the Ukraine is a free agent and like a Lebron James, the Ukraine will eventually sign with the highest bidder. Putin will not be outbid as he is visiting the Ukraine, on April 12th, to offer concessions for the transit role that the Ukrainians play with regard to the transport of natural gas.
Meanwhile, the Russian military will bluster by moving its forces to high alert status. However, nothing will occur until the Ukrainian issue is resolved. If the Russians win, their Eurasian empire will challenge the US in Syria and Iran. If the Russians lose complete control of the Ukraine, a third world war could begin, as NATO would surely oppose a Russian military incursion. Remember, NATO ally Turkey is right across a small pond and it is amazing what one can learn when one can properly read a map.

http://thecommonsenseshow.com/2014/0...rough-ukraine/

Russia vs Ukraine: The Infographic

Submitted by Tyler Durden on 03/01/2014 12:58 -0500

Curious how Ukraine, which with its population of 44 million and size of 603,628 square km makes it the largest single country entirely in Europe, stacks up against Russia? The following infographic should answer some questions regarding the (im)balance of power.


And as a follow up, here is a map showing the location of the various sites of the Russian Navy in the Crimea. These will be the first sites to see a surge in Russian troop presence.


H/t @MrHalimi, @seanrussiablog

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-0...ne-infographic

Entire Ukrainian Navy Resigns: Report Unconfirmed By Ukrainian Ministry Of Defense – We Could Be At War By 5 AM!!!


According to the newly released report below from the Ukrainian National News, the entire Navy of the Ukraine has resigned to support their Russian counterparts. As of this moment, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry knows nothing of this report. With hostilities quickly getting out of hand in the Ukraine, will this be the flashpoint for World War 3? According to the newly released video below from FreedomFighter2127, we could be at war by 5 a.m.



KIEV. February 28. UNN. All command of the Naval Forces of Ukraine wrote a report on the dismissal. This UNN said one of the agency staff.

Today, from its own sources UNN became known that the Navy Command wrote a report on the dismissal.

At the same time on the official website of the Ministry of Defense is no entry for chapter Navy.

The press service of the Defense Ministry, said that they know nothing about it.

“We did this have not heard,” – said the press service of the Defense Ministry.



http://beforeitsnews.com/global-unre...rticalresponse

Venezuela: Another Western-Backed Destabilization

Saturday 01 March 2014
BY DAVID ICKE

‘As Ukraine falls to the control of fascist forces funded by the Anglo-American powers and the world watches with bated breath for the Russian response, a similar sequence of events is currently taking place inside the South American country of Venezuela.
For the record, the people of Venezuela, much like the people of Ukraine, have very real complaints against the leadership in Caracas. A lagging economy and a level of personal freedom that is below par to say the least present clear reasons for Venezuelans to be disgruntled.
This latest Venezuelan “revolution,” however, does not appear to be the result of a popular uprising against an oppressive government but yet another Western-backed destabilization campaign aimed at wrecking the existing government and replacing it with another regime more favorable to the goals of the Anglo-Western interests and international banking cartels.’

Read more: Venezuela: Another Western-Backed Destabilization

In Venezuela Obama’s ‘Playing With Fire’ Supporting ‘Leninists Of The Right’

‘Miraflores presidential palace in Venezuela’s capital was the scene of thousands of pro-government citizens Thursday. They gathered there to watch an official ceremony celebrating the anniversary of the 1989 revolt and to hear President Nicolas Maduro speak. The president withdrew from speaking there for unreported reasons.
Considering that the elected president Maduro is on the Obama regime’s targeted hit-list, it’s no surprise he’d decline a public appearance at such a gathering, despite it being attended by thousands of his supporters.
On the ground American covert operatives and US-trained operatives are spearheading the unrest and overthrow of Maduro. A Congressional coalition led by the Miami Cuba Lobby is agitating for Maduro’s demise, according to Hayden.’

Read more …

http://www.davidicke.com/headlines/v...stabilization/

Ukraine's Acting President Puts All Armed Forces On Full Combat Alert


Submitted by Tyler Durden on 03/01/2014 14:50 -0500


In a stunning 24 hours, it now appears that Russia and the Ukraine are one formal announcement away from a state of war. From moments ago, as reported by Bloomberg:

• UKRAINE ACTING PRESIDENT PUTS ALL FORCES ON FULL COMBAT ALERT

And this, as reported by the NYT, virtually assures the escalation to a hot war, as some provocation, somewhere will certainly take place: "a Ukrainian military official in Crimea said Ukrainian soldiers had been told to “open fire” if they came under attack by Russia troops or others."

Finally, this:

• Ukraine protects all Ukrainians, acting President Oleksandr Turchynov says in Kiev briefing.
• Ukraine Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk: “diverting funds for military”
• Turchynov: untrue that Russians are under threat
• Turchynov: no reason for Putin request
• Turchynov calls for national unity
• Yatsenyuk says to take all measures to ensure peace
• Yatsenyuk: no reason for Russia to intervene in Ukraine

Too late.

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-0...l-combat-alert

you really might want to take a look at all of the Military Officers Obama has been firing and see why it was and still is dangerous

Ukraine and Peter Schiff: Recovery Fantasy, Dollar Crash Below 80.00 And Gold "Wall of Worry".
Peter Schiff is discussing the very weak economic data released this week, Gold market's "Wall of Worry" in mass media and Gold stocks potential. We will add to the discussion the main development for us this week. It is the situation in Ukraine, which came almost out of nowhere for a lot of investors and now threatens the stability in Europe at least and has caused the major decline in US Dollar below the very important level of 80.00. Obama can have his own war finally after the few unsuccessful attempts with YouTube evidence in Syria. We do hope that it will be only Financial War and we can see the first rounds of it this week. Initially US Dollar went up on the escalation of the situation in Ukraine - as any potential military action in the world is supposed to be positive for the U.S. Military Complex, but on Friday with major headlines from Moscow about Ukraine Dollar has dived decisively below 80.00 to the 79.78 close.After these U.S. actions in Ukraine considered as an insult by the Kremlinthe least you can expect is selling of the US Treasuries by Russia and, maybe, already accelerating of selling by China as well . They have been already smelling the rat about the USTs Game Of Musical Chairs for a long time. It is just too personal. None of these two countries - or it will be better say leaders - would like to be liberated next in any circumstances.

The big difference with Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and Syria is that all those countries can not be compared to Russia and China even close. These two countries have means to make life very messy for everybody involved and U.S. has managed to be involved with both. It is getting very hot very fast in Ukraine with Russia and you can imaging who is orchestrating China - Japan confrontation as well. It is not the way to make friends and find the new buyers for U.S. Debt or even retain the old ones. Are those people who write the teleprompter for Obama just went totally crazy? We do not think so. Unfortunately the friends are lost long time along the way with ongoing US Treasury sales by Russia and China and diversification out of US Dollar. Now we are witnessing the very dangerous play with the last asset left in U.S. from Super Power stage - its Military Complex. There is nothing to match it in the open confrontation, but if we will be all lucky to exclude mutual nuclear distraction, we can expect a lot of asymmetrical steps from the Rising Powers. Ongoing Financial War can now be considered to be escalating to the dramatically new levels. Gold was managed to the downside to hide the ongoing disaster at least for the weekend. The opening of Gold market in Asia on Sunday evening will be very interesting with the ongoing escalation in Ukraine and reported authorisation by the Russian Upper House of Parliament the use of military force in Crimea to insure "stability in the region". http://sufiy.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/ukraine-and-peter-schiff-recovery.ht...

PUTIN CALLS BLUFF: REQUESTS MILITARY FORCE

Russian parliament demands recall of ambassador to USA...

Obama Skips National Security Team Meeting...



IN CONTROL...

Krauthammer: 'Everybody shocked by weakness of Obama's statement'...

Kristol: Putin Acts, Obama Affirms...

Palin: I told you...

http://drudgereport.com/