Cheat Sheet

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2009
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23
NOVEMBER 2009
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DIPLOMACY

Russia to Offer Afghan Help

While the diplomatic situation in Iran and North Korea may be worsening by the day, President Obama is poised to score a big victory in Russia, where the government has agreed to let American military planes fly over Russian territory en route to Afghanistan. According to the New York Times, the deal will be announced next week when Obama visits Russia. The move provides a key supply route for military in Afghanistan, giving Obama one of his most concrete foreign policy successes so far. There are still plenty of outstanding issues, however, including differences between the two governments over a missile defense, trade, and a nuclear arms agreement.

Posted at 7:45 AM, Jul 4, 2009
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Comments ()
Hawnzz

I'll be damned... inch by inch. Obama tries to achieve his goals through consensus. In the long run it seems to be working...

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9:59 am, Jul 4, 2009
squiggy

I don't trust Russia's ulterior motives. They kinda didn't treat Afghanistan right before, is it oil or poppy they are after?

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10:43 am, Jul 4, 2009
AiriqS

And there are Russian parts in those North Korean missiles!

There is certainly something in this for the Russians, and it will be interesting to find out.

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12:47 pm, Jul 4, 2009
DreddBlog

Russia is suckering him into quicksand. Obama, please notice all the quicksand on the shoes of the Russians you will be bullshitting with.

http://blogdredd.blogspot.com/2009/07/unanimous-declaration.html

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10:27 am, Jul 4, 2009
sparky13

Russia has an ulterior motive, probably an end sweep. They're to chicken-shit to do anything up front, like little brother NK.

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10:46 am, Jul 4, 2009
mattbenzor

WE shall see what the russian would do.It would be great we did it in ww2 with hitler.We can do it together "NOW" "AH" the world army is coming together finally.......!Let see if they "ll help with N.Korea if the two of us get together to help one another there would be "NO" stopping us.As a combined Army I think China would get worried WE would be the most powerful combined Army anybody has ever seen.It would be a smart move to join forces . Or is russia playing nice to get us to not put the sheild in the EU.If we got together we would be the strongest Army ever and we should put aside the bullshit cause China is not getting smaller and weaker.But bigger and stronger ."ITS TIME"

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10:58 am, Jul 4, 2009
Centrist

I think mattbenzor has been sniffing glue, based on that giddy post.
Nonetheless the fact that Russia would allow foreign military aircraft over their territory en route to anywhere is a rather amazing development. I just don't think it portends Russia and the U.S. becomming BFF's.
Russia is worried about Muslim fundamentalists in it's own backyard and is aware of the international links between terrorists.

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11:41 am, Jul 4, 2009
squiggy

I agree and it doesn't hurt their "world power" image either! LOL Matt gets excited and passionate but since your last post he has started using punctuation and capitals so count your blessings. I appreciate that you didn't attack personally.

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12:24 pm, Jul 4, 2009
drmarkklein

Russia's sticking its neck out in Afghanistan suggests radical Islam is a discredited governing ideology evidenced by its defeat Lebanon, Iran gone Soviet after a brazen election theft, and wiped out in the Swat Valley following its brief utterly brutal and amateurish rule.

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12:30 pm, Jul 4, 2009
squiggy

Hadn't thought of that, Russia just shoring up it's allies in case Islam raises an ugly head at them. Something to think about for sure.

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3:22 pm, Jul 4, 2009
SlaveRevolt

Obama should be wary. Russia knows that the main supply route (MSR) for the occupation forces in Afghanistan runs from Karachi, Pakistan up to the Khyber Pass and into Afghanistan (with a lesser route running from Karachi through Quetta and into southern Afghanistan) and they know that this MSR is becoming increasingly unreliable with Taliban attacks especially on equipment holding areas near Peshawar which is the reason the U.S. is and has been desperately searching for alternative routes.

Russia is most likely making a shrewd move to gain some degree of leverage over the occupation of Afghanistan. They seem to be hoping that the U.S. will become dependent on the supply route through Russia and that then Russia's government can raise the rent at its leisure or if push came to shove, rescind the agreement and bar American resupply through their territory. They almost certainly don't have altruistic motives.

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6:51 pm, Jul 4, 2009
rapierwits

that's a hell of an analysis, SlaveRevolt.
I also wonder what our government had to give Russia in exchange for this favor.
I reckon we won't be adding any former Soviet satellites to NATO anytime soon.
Maybe something real quiet dealing with the missile shield?

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7:26 pm, Jul 4, 2009
SlaveRevolt

Thanks Rapierwits. I was wondering about that as well.

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8:05 pm, Jul 4, 2009
squiggy

Wow slave, you are really good. That is why he was in Germany talking to Merkle. The economy is always a cover. She in turn is going to cut taxes to stimulate her economy, seemingly going against Obama's plan but they are in accord on the shield issue. Wonder what her cut is in the deal?

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1:49 am, Jul 5, 2009
squiggy

"The spice must flow!"

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1:50 am, Jul 5, 2009
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