Phoenix from the flames

That is the situation we are facing with Russia at the present time.

Ignoring their bellicose language, their invasion of a sovereign nation and the extension of Presidential term limits from four years to six years, there are some worrying signals emanating from Moscow.

Chief amongst these is Russia’s plan to assist Venezuela go nuclear. This may well be for ‘peaceful’ purposes but it could lead to unnecessary instability in the region. Taken with the Russians undertaking military exercises off the coast of Venezuela and negotiations to establish an oil ‘consortium’, it seems Russia is seeking to return to the spheres of influence days of the Cold War.

In the same region, the Globe and Mail is reporting that Russia is seeking to tap into the recently discovered oil reserves off the coast of Cuba. The potentially disastrous consequences this would have hardly needs flagging.

(For more details on the plans see http://www.reportonbusiness.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081123.wrussiaoil1123/BNStory/Business/?page=rss&id=RTGAM.20081123.wrussiaoil1123)

The final worrying sign of a resurgent Russia comes with their plan to position missiles in the Kalingrad area on the Russian—Polish border. They argue that it is defensive rather than offensive but it represents the return of the Russian government’s mentality of ‘might is right’.

We cannot allow any of this to go unnoticed and what is more we cannot wait January 20th 2009 before we start taking action.