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Category Archives: Russia

ISIS or ISIL or IS? Does it matter?

The President gave his speech on strategy towards ISIL…except everyone calls it ISIS in the West. ISIL is Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant and ISIS is Islamic State in Iraq and Syria or al Shams, which is roughly … Continue reading

Posted in Intelligence, Iran, Iraq, ISIL, ISIS, Russia, Sunni, Terrorism | 1 Comment

ISIS – Next Steps

The President is now stuck with the ISIS problem. It is his, not former President Bush’s. The rest of his term may be defined by how he deals with ISIS, in some ways as Bush was defined by how he … Continue reading

Posted in Intelligence, Iran, Iraq, ISIL, ISIS, Russia, Sunni, Terrorism | Leave a comment

Obama Learns of Malaysian Aircraft Destruction form Putin?!

The Malaysian aircraft destruction is tragic, but not unique. Commercial Airliners have been shot down before.  In 1983 the Soviet air defense fighters shot down a Korean Airlines 747 that had strayed off course, impinged on Soviet airspace and the … Continue reading

Posted in Intelligence, Iran, Malaysian Airline Shootdown, Russia, Ukraine, United Nations | Leave a comment

NSA Scutinized, Not FBI?

There has been much discussion about NSA and whether it is collecting too much data (especially on American citizens) and whether the procedures and authorizations by which it operates should be revised. This debate will not be resolved anytime soon … Continue reading

Posted in Intelligence, NSA, Russia, Terrorism | Leave a comment

American Vulnerability – The Dollar

American media seems to be focused on domestic affairs while astonishing things are going beyond the borders—and we seem to stand by watching helplessly. The United States position of prominence is eroding. Yesterday, at a summit in Shanghai between China’s … Continue reading

Posted in China, Financial Wars, Russia | 1 Comment

Syria CW – Success, but so what?

Syria has missed its latest deadline to finish removing Chemical agent and precursors from its territory.  However, they almost made it–about 92% done.  Bashar al-Assad clearly has moved to fulfill his obligation to get rid of his CW capability.  There … Continue reading

Posted in Iran, Russia, Syria CW | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The New Russian Threat: May be Good News for some

Putin may discover to his surprise that it is in many American parties interests to have Russia as an enemy.  It is not overly cynical to point out that, for many interests in Washington, there is a great need to … Continue reading

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Ukraine – Dollar vs. Ruble

Looking ahead at the conflict between the US and Russia over Ukraine,  it may turn out that this could become a financial war rather than a kinetic war.  The US has an enormous strength irrespective of our military–the US dollar.  … Continue reading

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Space Station and the Ukraine Crisis

The international space station is currently occupied by a crew of six.  There are three Russians, two Americans and a Japanese member.   The commander is a Russian.  Presumably they all get along and are bonded by their collective mission.  Nevertheless, … Continue reading

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Russia in Ukraine and Market Predictors

No one should have been surprised by Putin’s actions regarding Ukraine after the Olympics.  While Americans may have a short memory, that is generally not said about Russians.  Putin would have learned from Brezhnev’s experience that it is better to … Continue reading

Posted in Intelligence, Russia, Ukraine | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment