While Increasingly Anti-Western, Russia Needs Foreign Military Technology

Jamestown Foundation Eurasia Daily Monitor ^ | 10/11/2012 | Pavel Felgenhauer

[bruinbirdman]

Last week, US federal prosecutors announced they have broken up a network of Russian agents that allegedly supplied the Russian military, intelligence agencies and defense industry with smuggled US-made electronic and microchip components. A Houston company, Arc Electronics Inc., allegedly illegally shipped some $50 million worth of electronic components to Russia. Its executive, Alexander Fishenko, was arrested together with seven other former Russian and other former Soviet republic citizens. All, apparently, are today naturalized US citizens, and some also hold valid Russian passports. Three other suspects have avoided arrest, apparently hiding in Russia. The US Department of Commerce announced it blacklisted 156 foreign companies and individuals allegedly connected to the smuggling ring. Of them, 119 are Russian. The US-made electronic components were allegedly used in military radar and surveillance systems, in missile guidance and detonation triggers (RIA Novosti, October 4).

Spying has for a long time been an occupational hazard in East-West relations. Spy scandals often make the front page, but typically fade away without changing much in the overall picture since spies are a replaceable commodity. In June 2010, a group of ten Russian “illegal” or “sleeper” spies were detained by the FBI in the United States and swapped for four Russian citizens who were serving long sentences, convicted of being Western spies. As “sleepers,” the agents did not engage in any illegal activity, awaiting orders to activate, which never came (see EDM, July 1, 2010). One of the ten—a redheaded beauty named Anna Chapman—became a TV anchor at one of Moscow’s second-tier television channels, but did not evolve into a first class political or news celebrity. The rest of the “illegals” melted into obscurity, as regular spies are trained to do. The Russian SVR intelligence service most likely began working on deploying a replacement of the lost assets, while the Barack Obama administration continued the policy of the “reset” in Washington’s relations with Moscow.

The Houston arrests may have much more serious repercussions. Arc Electronic was clearly not “sleeping,” but allegedly collecting highly essential components for the Russian military. If the US authorities are seriously intent on hampering the access of the Russian military, defense industry and intelligence services to American-made microchips and other high-tech electronic merchandise—including components involving US patents and knowhow made in third countries—this may critically impede President’s Vladimir Putin’s much hyped multi-billion dollar rearmament program.

More than two decades after the end of the Cold War, the Russian defense industry virtually cannot produce any modern sophisticated weaponry without Western-made components and materials, with some essential parts coming directly from the United States. Last month, Deputy Prime Minister in charge of the defense industry Dmitry Rogozin, speaking at a meeting of the governmental Military-Industrial Commission, demanded that “more must be done” to replace foreign-made electronic components used in Russian defense production. Plans have been enacted to develop Russian-made electronic components in cooperation with Belarus, but, according to Rogozin, at present the “list of foreign-made electronic components” allowed to be used in Russian weapons is constantly growing and “this is intolerable” (RIA Novosti, September 19).

A top-level source within the Russian defense industry, speaking on condition of anonymity, previously told Jamestown that high-resolution radars needed for the most modern Russian fighter jets, as well as anti-aircraft and ballistic missile defense systems require US-made components. As Rogozin confirms, the “list” of such components is approved by the Defense Ministry and they are procured in the West with the help of the intelligence services. Despite the overall worsening of relations, Western governments in recent years seem to have turned a blind eye to growing Russian purchases of high-tech military-connected equipment.

Last week, Rogozin denied that the alleged Russian agents from Arc Electronics or other blacklisted entities purchased anything for the Russian defense industry illegally in the United States. At the same time Rogozin declared: “We thank the Americans—the latest scandal is a reality test to those in Russia who believe in defense cooperation with foreigners.” Plans have been drafted to consolidate the Russian electronics industry to make the needed microchips, added Rogozin (RIA Novosti, October 5). The ruling Russian bureaucracy surely likes to “consolidate assets” and build state-funded elaborate corporations, but in most cases is too corrupt to make them work properly or manufacture cutting edge military products without constant Western supply and support.

After Putin’s third presidential term began last May, Russian policy and official rhetoric has been increasingly anti-Western. Russia has refused full access to Western observers to visit its strategic military exercises and adamantly refuses to resume participating in the 1990 Conventional Forces in Europe treaty (CFE), which Moscow abandoned in 2007. Speaking this week in the parliament’s Federation Council, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused NATO of building up forces in Europe and running military exercises that threaten Russia. “It does not make any sense to work together on conventional arms control,” added Lavrov (RIA Novosti, October 10). Last week, speaking to Russian soldiers based in Tajikistan, Putin announced that NATO enlargement is threatening Russia and “we will build our defense policy to cope with the threat” (www.kremlin.ru, October 5).

Russia has also ordered the aid agency USAID to end its operations in Russia (see EDM, September 20). This week it became known Russia wants to curtail the Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) Program also known as Nunn–Lugar, based on a 1992 US law sponsored by Senators Sam Nunn and Richard Lugar. The CTR has spent $5 billion in Russia since 1992 to help dismantle dangerous weapons. Now the Russian authorities say that CTR is giving the US too much insight into the Russian military (Kommersant, October 10). The Putin regime is rapidly transforming into a reclusive and repressive dictatorship, increasingly anti-Western and aggressive. Russian weapons, modernized with Western help, have been exported to Syria, Iran, Venezuela and China. Obama’s policy of the “reset” has failed to influence Putin’s policies in any significant way.

During the Cold War, the West initiated the Coordinating Committee for Multilateral Export Controls or COCOM, which imposed strict arms and double-use technology embargos on Russia and its allies. In 1996 COCOM was replaced by the Wassenaar Arrangement—a much weaker control regime that is not aimed against Russia at all, since it is a full member itself. But it is still unclear whether last week’s arrests in Houston are a game-changer that could develop into significant effort by the West to again enforce stricter high-tech export controls on Russia, as Moscow fears.

[bruinbirdman]

". . . .high-resolution radars needed for the most modern Russian fighter jets, as well as anti-aircraft and ballistic missile defense systems require US-made components."

It is no wonder that the Rooskies are good at prototypes but can't deliver the latest high tech to customers.

They can't steal the components fast enough.

[2banana]

The Capitalists will sell us the rope with which we will hang them.
—Vladimir Ilyich Lenin quotes

[ETL]

Putin praises Cold War moles for stealing U.S. nuclear secrets
Reuters ^ | Wed Feb 22, 2012 5:04pm EST | Steve Gutterman

Vladimir Putin praised Cold War-era scientists on Thursday for stealing U.S. nuclear secrets so that United States would not be the world's sole atomic power, in comments reflecting his vision of Russia as a counterweight to U.S. power.

Spies with suitcases full of data helped the Soviet Union build its atomic bomb, he told military commanders.

"You know, when the States already had nuclear weapons and the Soviet Union was only building them, we got a significant amount of information through Soviet foreign intelligence channels," Putin said, according to state-run Itar-Tass.

"The were carrying the information away not on microfilm but literally in suitcases. Suitcases!"

Putin's remarks referred to the dawn of the Cold War more than half a century ago, but they echoed a message he has made loud and clear more recently: that the United States needs to be restrained, and Russia is the country to do it. …

(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...

[ETL]

Open Mic Catches Obama Asking Medvedev for Space on Missile Defense
March 26, 2012

"In a private conversation about the planned U.S.-led NATO missile defense system in Europe, President Barack Obama asked outgoing Russian President Dmitry Medvedev for space on the issue.

“This is my last election,” Obama told Medvedev. “After my election I have more flexibility.”

“I understand. I will transmit this information to Vladimir,” Medvedev said, referring to incoming President Vladimir Putin."

http://fox8.com/2012/03/26/open-mic-catches-obama-asking-medvedev-for-space-on-missile-defense/
__________________________________________________

Obama was talking with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev when neither of them realized that their conversation was being picked up by microphones. Here is what they said:

Obama: “On all these issues, but particularly missile defense, this, this can be solved, but it’s important for him to give me space.”

Medvedev: “Yeah, I understand. I understand your message about space. Space for you ...”

Obama: “This is my last election. After my election, I have more flexibility.”

Medvedev: “I understand. I will transmit this information to Vladimir.”

“This is my last election. After my election I have more flexibility.” That statement tells us much about the president’s mindset.

The specific mention of missile defense is worrisome enough. Mr. Obama has retreated from the missile defense plan that was negotiated with European allies during the George W. Bush administration. Apparently, he is signaling Moscow that he intends to retreat further. The clear implication from the president’s comments is that he cannot tell the American people before the election what he plans to do after the election.

In addition, there is the phrase “on all these issues,” implying more is at stake than just missile defense.”

Article: Obama plans double cross on missile defense
When it comes to keeping America safe, we shouldn’t be too flexible:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/mar/29/obama-plans-double-cross-on-missile-defense/print/

[ETL]

Obama To Betray Missile Defense Secrets To Moscow
Investor's Business Daily ^ | January 9, 2012 | IBD staff

Appeasement: From ObamaCare to recess appointments, honoring the Constitution has not been an administration hallmark. But when it comes to betraying secrets to mollify the Russians, it becomes a document the president hides behind.

It was bad enough that the 2012 defense authorization bill signed by President Obama set America on a downward spiral of military mediocrity.

He also issued a signing statement, something he once opposed, saying that language in the bill aimed at protecting top-secret technical data on the U.S. Standard Missile-3 — linchpin of our missile defense — might impinge on his constitutional foreign-policy authority.

Section 1227 of the defense law prohibits spending any funds that would be used to give Russian officials access to sensitive missile-defense technology as part of a cooperation agreement without first sending Congress a report identifying the specific secrets, how they'd be used and steps to protect the data from compromise.

The president is required to certify that any technology shared will not be passed on to third parties such as China, North Korea or Iran, that the Russians will not use transferred secrets to develop countermeasures and that the Russians are reciprocating in sharing missile-defense technology.

(Excerpt) Read more at news.investors.com ...

[ETL]

______________________________________________________________

Russia's Medvedev hails "comrade" Obama

Associated Foreign Press (AFP) ^ | April 2, 2009 | Anna Smolchenko

"Russia's Dmitry Medvedev hailed Barack Obama as "my new comrade" Thursday after their first face-to-face talks"

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gEo4B1heuBvO6KK7EiBHKigO1UrA

April 1, 2009:
"Obama, Medvedev pledge new era of relations":
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/specialreport/news/419496_88/1/.html

[ETL]

From the campaign trail, February 2008...

Obama Pledges Cuts in Missile Defense, Space, and Nuclear Weapons Programs

February 29, 2008 :: News
MissileThreat.com

A video has surfaced of Presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama talking on his plans for strategic issues such as nuclear weapons and missile defense. ..."

Article: Obama Pledges Cuts in Missile Defense, Space, and Nuclear Weapons Programs:
http://missilethreat.com/archives/id.7086/detail.asp

[2ndDivisionVet]

While Increasingly Anti-Western, Russia Imperial Japan Needs Foreign Military Technology

I've seen this movie.

[jsanders2001]

Bounce this idiot who would have us killed for profit if he coukd out of office on Nov 6. Russia knows it is more efficient to let the enemy use their own money and resources to develop weapons of mass destruction then just steal their technology and replicate it. This is nothing new and something they’ve been doing for a long time now.

[ETL]

Russia’s military spending soars
February, 2011

Russia has revealed details of its ambitious plan to upgrade its army over the next ten years, planning to spend US$650 billion on the project.

­The unveiled large-scale plans of the Russian defense ministry propose the spending of vast sums of money up to 2020.

First and foremost, Russian defense will focus on the development of strategic nuclear weapons, construction of over 100 military vessels for Russian Navy, including construction of four originally French-made Mistral-class amphibious assault ships, and the introduction into the Air Force of over 1,000 helicopters and 600 military planes, including fifth generation PAK-FA fighter.

Most of the military hardware will be equipped with next-generation weaponry.

http://rt.com/news/military-budget-russia-2020/
______________________________________________________________

China and Russia Launch Military Exercises
April 22nd, 2012 [Lenin's birthday -ETL]

China and Russia launched joint naval exercises Sunday in the Yellow Sea between the east coast of mainland China and the Korean peninsula.

Sixteen Chinese surface vessels and two submarines as well as four Russian warships will take part in the six days of drills. ...

China and Russia have conducted four bilateral and multilateral military exercises since 2005.

http://blogs.voanews.com/breaking-news/2012/04/22/china-and-russia-launch-military-exercises/

China and Russia Launch Military Exercises
April 22nd, 2012 [Lenin's birthday -ETL]

[ETL]

Obama: "We Welcome China's Rise"
CBS News ^ | January 19, 2011 | Stephanie Condon
_____________________________________________________

From the Sino-Russian Joint Statement of April 23, 1997:
"The two sides [China and Russia] shall, in the spirit of partnership, strive to promote the multipolarization of the world and the establishment of a new international order."

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Central_Asia/HI29Ag01.html
_____________________________________________________

"Joint war games are a logical outcome of the Sino-Russian Friendship and Cooperation Treaty signed in 2001, and reflect the shared worldview and growing economic ties between the two Eastern Hemisphere giants."

http://www.heritage.org/research/commentary/2005/09/war-games-russia-china-grow-alliance

[Eric in the Ozarks]

No need.
The Clintons will sell them off.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks bruinbirdman.

[bert]

It sucks to be Russia and Putin.

The end of the communist era brought chaos and destruction. Foreign aid and investment poured in and was stolen. There was no progress. Men became alcoholics and women became workers who aborted their children. The Soviet empire dissolved. The realization that Russia was backward and incompetent in the modern world was covered over by a thin veneer of clothes and imitation of the west.

It took longer in China. The government was never actually overthrown although there was great change. China and the Chinese people given a degree of freedom responded by going to work. They took the foreign investment and magnified it into a fantastically growing economic miracle. While the young took on the trappings of the rest of the world, they applied themselves to progress.

The result....... China is, Russia isn’t

[ETL]

It sucks to be Russia and Putin. The end of the communist era brought chaos and destruction.

KGB Putin thinks the "COLLAPSE" of the mass-murdering communist Soviet Union was the "greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the 20th Century"

"the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the [20th] century" -Russian leader Vladimir Putin on the collapse of the Soviet Union...
"World democratic opinion has yet to realize the alarming implications of President Vladimir Putin's State of the Union speech on April 25, 2005, in which he said that the collapse of the Soviet Union represented the 'greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the century.'
http://www.hooverdigest.org/053/beichman.html
____________________________________________________

"'The Black Book of Communism,'; a scholarly accounting of communism’s crimes, counts about 94 million murdered by the supposed champions of the common man (20 million for the Soviets alone), and some say that number is too low."

Forgetting the Evils of Communism: The amnesia bites a little deeper
By Jonah Goldberg, August 2008:
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ZmY0MjI1MDgyYjg1M2UwNDMzMTk2Mjk5YTk0ZTdlMWE=
____________________________________________________

[ETL]

t sucks to be Russia and Putin. The end of the communist era brought chaos and destruction.

Did Communism Fake Its Own Death in 1991?
American Thinker ^ | January 16, 2010 | Jason McNew

In a [] 1984 book [New Lies for Old], ex-KGB Major Anatoliy Golitsyn predicted the liberalization of the Soviet Bloc and claimed that it would be a strategic deception. ..."

"Golitsyn's argument was that beginning in about 1960, the Soviet Union embarked on a strategy of massive long-range strategic deception which would span several decades and result in the destruction of Western capitalism and the erection of a communist world government."

"Golitsyn published his second book, The Perestroika Deception, after the Soviet Union was dissolved in 1991. This book contained further analysis of the liberalization, in addition to previously classified memoranda submitted by Golitsyn to the CIA. The two books must be read together to get a complete picture of Golitsyn's thesis."

http://www.americanthinker.com/2010/01/did_communism_fake_its_own_dea.html
_____________________________________________________

FReeper khelus provided the following links for reading/downloading both books in their entirety (free):

New Lies for Old:
http://archive.org/details/GolitsynAnatoleTheNewLiesForOldOnes

The Perestroika Deception:
http://curezone.com/upload/Members/ChazTheMeatHe/Books/Golitsyn_The_Perestroika_Deception_The_World_s_Slide_Towards_the_Secon.pdf
_____________________________________________________

CHINA

"the new leaders pledged to adhere to 'Marx, Lenin, Mao' thought .. for 'a long time to come'"

China: Communist Party goes modern (Asia Times)
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/DK16Ad02.html

[CodeToad]

There are more old Soviet citizens here in the US as engineers than I thought would ever happen. There are also Chinese, too.

[ETL]

It sucks to be Russia and Putin. The end of the communist era brought chaos and destruction.

At least 20 MILLION dead *under* Soviet Union communism.

[bruinbirdman]

"Forgetting the Evils of Communism: The amnesia bites a little deeper. . ."

yitbos