Monday, October 9, 2006

Putin Fights Back Against Bush in Georgia

A GOOD ARTICLE PAINTING THE BIGGER PICTURE OF WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND CENTRAL ASIA

By Mike Whitney

"The battle lines have been drawn and Russia has been placed on the ever-expanding list of “axis of evil” states whose defiance make them the logical targets of US intervention. We can expect that a variety of strategies will be used to destabilize Russia and, ultimately, affect regime change in Moscow. The Bush administration’s long-range objectives are already clear. They aim to privatize the Russian oil industry, convert the ruble to the dollar, remove Putin from office, and prevent Russia from controlling the huge oil reserves in the Caspian Basin. America’s success in the region depends on its ability to weaken, disrupt, or dissolve the Russian state. Traditionally, these goals are achieved by covert operations, inciting ethnic tensions, providing military assistance to rebels (in Chechnya or wherever) and grooming dissident groups to foment political turmoil. We expect to see these same tactics employed here.

The Bush administration has big plans for Central Asia. It is a critical part of the ongoing global resource war. The arrest of Russian officers is just one small skirmish in what will undoubtedly be a much larger and more lethal war."

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