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Two years ago Iran was exporting munitions to Syria.
The weapons were in containers on the Monchesgorsk.
The USS San Antonio interdicted the Manchesgorsk at high sea.
The explosives were stored in a tent.
(A tent? What were they thinking of?)
Then there was a brush fire.
(July 11th)
Followed by a big blast as the TNT went up.
It blew up the naval base and nearby power station.
The Central bank had this to say:
There is an imminent threat of Cyprus joining the European Union Support Mechanism, with everything bad that this entails.
The situation looked bleak.
But then a great White Knight appeared:
Russia would provide the cash that Cyprus needed
Does Russia have an ulterior motive? Could it be gas?
The Cyprus gas story is connected to the big find in Israeli waters last year.
Nobel Energy found the gas in Israel. Guess who's drilling in Cyprus for gas today?
No gas has been found as of yet. But a "dispute" started right away.
Some dispute, the talk is war.
The Russians have sent subs. They seem to be taking things seriously.
The EU is begging for restraint.
The Americans are sending Drones. Surprised?
From the UK Guardian:
A man believed to be one of Russia's most capable agents, arrested in Cyprus this week as a suspect in the spy ring, has almost certainly fled the island, the justice minister, Loucas Louca, said.
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Less than 72 hours after he was last seen on Cyprus, speculation is mounting that Christopher Metsos, the alleged paymaster of a Russian network operating under deep cover in the US, was allowed to "disappear" by a government which caved in to pressure from Russia.
This is a nutty story. It shows what a complex world we live in. It also confirms how unstable the middle east is these days. It shows that the big powers are still butting heads. This is a stupid issue for drones and submarines to be getting involved. Especially when they're Russian and US equipment.
This map shows that Cyprus is geographically right in the middle of some dangerous territory. We don't need another reminder that the Middle East and hydrocarbons keep getting us in trouble. Do we?
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Excellent job of piecing this together.
ReplyDeleteIn reading this, it is with great loathing to find the Russians bringing up the Cold War again. Rather it would be better to put to rest this self-idolatry that they need to be a superpower. May they find God is their superpower, in their aloneness to find something to hold on to that will last, and give up world domination that has been their nemesis for far too long. May they give up this self-sabotaging behavior. This is the Aquarian Age, and they would find greatness if they would be in tune with God and would move to higher ground. Free markets in Russia is not what gives them greatness, it will be when they return to the ways of Christ, not by creating fear in those they think are beneath them and playing bully, again and again.
ReplyDeleteBruce, you did not mention the special relations between Cyprus and Russia. 20% of FDI to Russia comes via Cyprus - additional 18% from Lux and UK Virgin islands. Obviously it is Russian money, circulated to avoid Jukos-type expropriation, as even the bank depos in C. jump with the oil prices. The Russian pressure is just pressure on independent oligarchs before the next Russian "elections".
ReplyDeleteNice work, Bruce. This article is an example of what is great about blogging and the Internet.
ReplyDeleteThis is why we DO need to be in the Middle East. If we didn't have a presence, the Russians/Chinese would snatch up all the resources and get all the financial gain. Whether it gets us in trouble or not, as long as you continue to start your car, or fly on an airplane, there's really no other option.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this interesting post and timeline. I especially liked the somewhat dated regional map - intended as a reminder that things haven't changed all that much over the centuries, perhaps?
ReplyDelete(Pointed here from Moreliver's blog.)
Vasastan - 'somewhat dated'? Byzantium became Constantinople in the year 330 AD. You made somewhat of an understatement there ;)
ReplyDeleteBruce, U are in a conspiracy dreamworld!
ReplyDeleteCyprus needs freinds such as USA, UK (which it actively & consistently supports UK and USA national interests since 1960. Obviously USA and britain (britain obligation under treaty of guarantee) hasnt kicked out the Turks from an independent island established by the UK. So Cyprus needs all te friends it can get as duhhh it has Turkey holding byy force over 1/3 of the republic of Cyprus. Of course Cyprus will try to cooperate with Everyone in order to get justice for itself. Esp since USA UK Russia Turkey Israel only think about their own national interests! 1+1 = 2! NOT deep conspiracies.