Overview

During the past two decades, the United States has supported Ukrainian desires to participate in the European Union and join NATO, while Russia has argued these actions foment rebellion among what they regard as a minority of Ukrainians. Underneath these somewhat superficial arguments, Russia worries about its largest submarine base in Crimea at Sevastopol, which they consider utterly vital to their security. Additionally, Russia aggressively continues to seek a geographical buffer between itself and Europe having been devastated by two great wars during the past 100 years. Europe protests the incursion but seems unwilling (and unable) to use military force to push Russia back from its designs on Ukraine and Crimea. Only the U.S. displays the willingness to hold the line and demand Russia back down. Now the U.S. increases its rapid deployment force and naval assets to the region to put Russia in check. But what motivates the U.S.? Russian nerves remain on edge due to a slumping Russian economy, its aging weapon systems, and frequent bouts of political unrest domestically but especially in Russia's eastern and southern republics. Russia's federal government depends on a steady, high price of oil and natural gas, with as much as 52% of its revenue coming from these sources. Then there is the state of the Russian people. They suffer under economic sanctions imposed by Europe and the United States. Backed into a corner, is it surprising Russia rattles its saber? However, Russia's only saber-its one area of military superiority: Russian tactical nuclear weapons outnumbering NATOs tactical nukes 10 to 1 in the region. As Russia weakens in critical areas, several principal factors are converging which suggest Russia must act NOW to diminish U.S. economic dominance, military superiority, and political influence-for Russia seeks to curb U.S. meddling in regional affairs that they surmise threatens its national security. Additionally, Russia advances the strategic view that it is Washington and not Moscow that pro-motes domestic disputes throughout Eurasia, what Russians term color revolutions. To Russian leaders, these Color Revolutions comprise CIA covert operations and insurrections intended to de-stabilize nations Russia regards vital to its interests, all the way from Syria to Afghanistan. In short, the Ukraine controversy may be a symbol of a much broader and deeper conflict. It constitutes a geopolitical sparring match-a contest in which both sides test the other's resolve to dominate global politics in the 21st century. Moreover, it may become the last act in an East-West death-match destined to trigger a nuclear war between long-time rivals.

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9781516875160

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