Russia forms NATO-like pact with 6 neighboring countries (text + video)

[emazur]

http://www.russiatoday.com/news/news/36833

“I would like to emphasise the importance of this decision to establish rapid reaction forces. It’s aimed at strengthening the military capacity of our organisation.”

Speaking at a media conference, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said the new units “will not be less powerful than those of NATO”.

He said: “the reason behind the creation of the collective forces of operative functioning is a considerable conflict potential which is accumulating in the CSTO zone”.

 

[sevin]

Wow. Not sure what to say about this. I can't decide if it's good news or bad news.

 

[MsDoodahs]

I've not seen any mention of the Kyrgyzstan decision to end the base lease to the US here on any of the mainstream news, but then again, I don't watch it very much.

What I DID see (or rather, hear - I was fixing supper) was I think MSNBC talking about how Russia is having a love affair with Obama and that the Russians just loooooooove the man.

Which surprised me, in light of Putin's speech at Davos....but then, American Pravda is not saying anything negative about *the one.*

Depending on where you're coming from, this CSTO stuff could be "good" or "bad," I guess....

 

[Gordon LeCompte Bolmer]

It sounds good to me! Russia is capable of stabilizing its own backyard, more effectively than we are. Also, we must consider Russia's (and China's, etc.) legitimate defense requirements, appropriate defensive perimeter, and appropriate speres of influence. It's only reasonable. Come to think of it, it's about time that Russia shored-up her own presence in the area. America's own sphere of influence is far distant from that region; its extension there will only get US into trouble.

As for access to Caspian Basin oil: simply buying it will be pennies-to-the-dollar cheaper than trying to conquer it. Add to this the fact that an increase in Caspian Basin oil production will decrease the relative value of oil produced elsewhere. America will doubly profit, if the US simply refrains from meddling on the opposite side of the world.

 

[Truth Warrior]

I'll bet the neighbors are nervous.

 

[rpfan2008]

Henry Kissinger met Putin a few days back.

 

[Truth Warrior]

[FONT=Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif]Don't Go Socialist[/FONT]
Justin Raimondo on Putin's advice to the West.

 

[Zippyjuan]

Does this mean that the US is not the only country which can form aliances?

 

[Truth Warrior]

Does this mean that the US is not the only country which can form aliances?

No.

 

[sailor]

CSTO is an old organisation. It was not just formed now. It is an offshoot of security part of CIS, that became its own treaty after Putin came to power.

What happened was just that they signed an extension to he treaty by which CSTO will not have a 10,000 strong "quick reaction force" to which all CSTO members will contribute.

The previous reaction force was 2,500 strong and only Russia contributed to it so it would be much more politicaly sensitive to actually use it.

 

[ihsv]

Very interesting. I notice it's not plastered all over CNN or Fox

 

[fj45lvr]

I always liked sending people to check this out:

http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90002/91620/index.html