Posted on 12/23/2011 11:23:48 AM PST by Tailgunner Joe
Russia is concerned that the Arab Spring revolutions could sow further turmoil in the Middle East and North Africa by provoking a potentially catastrophic rift between Sunni and Shi’ite Muslims, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said. In written answers to Reuters, Lavrov said the events in the region were still unfolding and cautioned that social, political and religious tensions showed signs of increasing.
“There are serious fears about the possible emergence of new zones of instability in the region that could become potential sources of challenges to international stability and security,” Lavrov said.
Such threats, he said, included the spread of terrorism, contraband weapons, the narcotics business, illegal immigration and especially the use of religion to ratchet up tensions.
“Attempts to bring the religious factor into regional confrontations are especially troubling,” said Lavrov, the longest serving Russian foreign minister since the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. “If there were an open rift between Sunnis and Shi’ites – and such a threat is fully realistic – then the consequences could be catastrophic.”
(Excerpt) Read more at blogs.reuters.com ...
We can only hope. If and when the grown-ups are ever in charge again of our country, this may be exploited to our advantage.
There goes our "Target rich environment".
I shall drink to that.
I shall drink to that.
Tsarist Russia battled the Ottoman Empire, Soviet Russia's conquests were thwarted by the modern Republic of Turkey and NATO.
Meanwhile the Soviet Union helped bring down the Shah in Iran, with a little help from Jimmah, and continue arming the Islamic Republic of Iran today.
I think that today's Russia wants good relations with Turkey, will the Russians help prevent problems? What benefits the organized crime in Russia I guess will be the deciding factor.
The United States government is so oblivious to world trends and what is going on. No such thing as “think things through” or anticipating “unintended consequences”. Just do what feels good and seems cool at the time. The State Department has long been a joke; intransigent; marches to their own drummer irrespective of who is President. If someone gets out of line, they (and/or CIA) leak or do worse to defeat their technical leader. Countries like China and Russia are serious about coherent, long-range foreign policy. We are not.
“Smiley - Popcorn”
ROFL. My sentiments exactly.
I don’t care who wins the game, I just want to see lots of injuries.
Me too. Red on Red FTW!
Stupid bully Russia gave Georgia a "bloody nose," but still the brave Georgian nation refuses to kneel before the rapacious Russian barbarian invaders and their islamicized Red Army.
As far as Kosovo goes, Russia does not care for the Kosovo Serbs. Putin pulled Russian peacekeepers out of Kosovo who were supposed to protect the interests of the Serbs. Putin abandoned them because they mean nothing to him. Then he sent muslim chechen "peacekeepers" to Lebanon to protect Hizballah terrorist from Israel. When the Serbs asked for Russian passports like those Russia issued to ethnic separatists in Georgia, Putin was deaf to their pleas for help. In fact the deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo, Beghjet Pacolli, is married to a Russian and has ties to the Russian mafia! Serbs who pray for Putin to come save them are hopeless deluded fools.
"Money to Caucasus better than war on Caucasus" - December 21, 2011 - Putin....harshly criticized those who spread the appeal "Stop feeding the Caucasus!"
Russia gives blankets to Kosovo Serbs instead of citizenship - August 12, 2011 - Russia provided an original response to the Kosovo Serbs who asked Russia for citizenship in a desperate attempt to find at least some protection from the Albanian militants. Instead of Russian passports or military assistance Russia sent to northern Kosovo blankets and food.
obama...they’re starting to notice....
When they are killing each other , they are leaving others alone.
But, but, but ..... the Arab Springs was all about idealistic college students that love freedom.
/sarc
I guess Russia has manipulated itself into a corner.
Yes, Slings and Arrows... DITTO! :) Popcorn time.
I doubt it. Russia has a pretty high Islamic bodycount record, and as a whole there is no Jihad or vast threat against them.
One would think after invading Afghanistan, Grozny, and expelling the different Islamic factions they would be #1 on the Jihad list.
China is more of a threat than former Republic members, and they are quitely taking over the Eastern front of Russia, via demographics.
Get the large size.
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