I hadn’t written a single piece on the U.S.-Ukraine-Russia quagmire for the entirety of 2014, until Monday when I published: Tensions Between the U.S. and Russia Are Worse Than You Realize – Remarks by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Now I can hardly think of anything else.
The reason the geopolitical hot zone has so captured my attention is because I think we are much closer to a serious escalation than most people want to admit. I hope I’m wrong, but when I take a step back and look at what is being said and done under the surface, an incredibly dangerous tinderbox is now firmly in place and ready to be lit. We know from history that relatively minor catalysts can lead to unimaginable horrors. I fear the stage is set for some real nastiness, and hope cooler heads can prevail on both sides.
Claims that the new government in Ukraine is nothing more than a Western puppet Parliament have been swirling around consistently since February. Nevertheless, I think it’s very significant that the takeover is now overt, undeniable and completely out in the open. Nothing proves this fact more clearly than the recent and sudden granting of citizenship to three foreigners so that they can take top posts in the government.
At the top of the list is American, Natalie Jaresko, who runs private equity fund Horizon Capital. She will now be Ukraine’s Finance Minister, and I highly doubt she will be forced to pay the IRS Expatriation Tax (one set of laws for the rich and powerful, another set of laws for the peasants). For Economy Minister, a Lithuanian investment banker, Aivaras Abromavicius, will take the reins. Health Minister will be Alexander Kvitashvili of Georgia.
The Wall Street Journal reports:
Ukraine’s parliament appointed a new, pro-Western government that includes a U.S.-born finance minister to take on the job of staving off financial collapse, overhauling the shrinking economy and ending the armed conflict in the country’s east.
The new cabinet includes Finance Minister Natalie Jaresko, the chief executive of a private-equity fund and a former U.S. diplomat, as well as two other nonnatives: Economy Minister Aivaras Abromavicius, a former investment banker from Lithuania; and Health Minister Alexander Kvitashvili, who held a similar post in Georgia.
Ukraine is dependent on the International Monetary Fund for financing, and officials and analysts say it will need more than the current $17-billion program from the lender.
Two senior EU officials said Tuesday that the IMF has in recent days shared a rough estimate of $15 billion in financing needs for Ukraine through the first quarter of 2016, although that could be revised as fund officials negotiate with the new government.
Shortly before the voting in Kiev, President Poroshenko signed a decree granting Ukrainian citizenship to the three foreign-born candidates. He said the dire economic situation meant Ukraine had to look for people outside the country with experience of dealing with “systemic crises.”
Valeriy Voshchevskiy, deputy prime minister for infrastructure and ecology, said he wanted to privatize state holdings such as the railway and road-building monopolies.
This is where American financial oligarchs will get paid. It’s all about looting at the end of the day, as always.
Some analysts praised the inclusion of outsiders in the government as a way to tap foreign experience, insulate against corruption and help push through unpopular economic overhauls. But opposition lawmakers slammed the decision.
“We don’t understand why from 300 coalition members and 40 million people [in the country], 10 minister candidates couldn’t be found who’d be Ukrainian citizens or at least ethnic Ukrainians,” said Yuriy Boiko, head of the Opposition Bloc and a former energy minister.
In a sign of early discontent, some lawmakers from the ruling coalition questioned the creation of a new Information Ministry, dubbed the “Ministry of Truth” by some journalists amid concerns that it could create another expensive layer of bureaucrats.
The newly appointed minister said earlier that it will be needed to counter Russian propaganda.
I don’t know much, but I know that people don’t like being ruled by foreigners. Ever.
Bearing that in mind, a bill known as H.Res.758 was recently introduced in the U.S. Congress. Here’s the full title: H.Res.758 – Strongly condemning the actions of the Russian Federation, under President Vladimir Putin, which has carried out a policy of aggression against neighboring countries aimed at political and economic domination.
Here’s how a summary of the bill starts off (click on the image for the full summary):
This isn’t well intentioned diplomacy, these are demands. The last bullet point is particularly laughable. The U.S. government admonishes Russia for interfering in Ukraine’s internal affairs (a nation directly on its border), when Ukraine just granted an American private equity manager citizenship so that she can be Finance Minister. The hypocrisy will not be lost on Putin, or anyone else for that matter.
The danger of this bill was highlighted by former U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich. Here are some excerpts via TruthDig:
U.S.-Russia relations have deteriorated severely in the past decade and they are about to get worse, if the House passes H. Res. 758.
NATO encirclement, the U.S.-backed coup in Ukraine, an attempt to use an agreement with the European Union to bring NATO into Ukraine at the Russian border, a U.S. nuclear first-strike policy, are all policies which attempt to substitute force for diplomacy.
The Western press begins its narrative on the Crimea situation with the annexation, but completely ignores the provocations by the West and other causal factors which resulted in the annexation. This distortion of reality is artificially creating an hysteria about Russian aggressiveness, another distortion which could pose an exceptionally dangerous situation for the world, if acted upon by other nations. The U.S. Congress is responding to the distortions, not to the reality.
Tensions between Russia and the U.S. are being fueled every day by players who would benefit financially from a resumption of the Cold War which, from 1948 to 1991 cost U.S. taxpayers $20 TRILLION dollars (in 2014 dollars), an amount exceeding our $18 trillion National Debt.
Based on all I have read and observed, I’d have to say I generally agree with the conclusions of Mr. Kucinich.
Finally, I want to end the post with some very important words from Eurasia Group President Ian Bremmer. They were published in the article, Crumbling Oil Makes Putin More Dangerous:
Russian President Vladimir Putin is being pushed “further into a corner” by falling oil prices, leaving him little option but to continue his aggression toward Ukraine and confrontation with the West, Eurasia Group President Ian Bremmer told CNBC on Tuesday. Putin has “gone all-in on an anti-U.S., must-keep-Ukraine nationalist engagement,” Bremmer said on “Squawk Box .” He said it’s “completely inconceivable” for Putin to back down. “This is what is behind all his approval ratings. It’s behind who he now is as a leader,” Bremmer said, adding that capitulation would “erode a lot of his power.” Russia’s currency and economy are crumbling along with oil prices, the country’s main export and revenue source. On Monday, the ruble suffered its worst one-day decline since 1998, and it looks like Russia’s economy will tip into recession next year. As the ruble tumbles, what will Putin do next? “I think that lower oil prices simply squeeze him harder, pushes him further into a corner. He feels he has to fight as a consequence.
This echoes sentiments I expressed in my piece Monday. I wrote:
Lavrov also describes the negative impact that this behavior has had on the Russian psyche generally. He expresses dismay that the U.S. status quo sees the world as unipolar, and attempts to tackle every problem from the perspective that might is right. In no uncertain terms, Lavrov makes it clear that Russia will not stand for this. I don’t think the Russians are bluffing, so this is a very dangerous situation.
The U.S. establishment is used to bullying around anyone it wants and getting its way. This will not happen with Putin. It appears that the U.S. is attempting to put so much pressure on Putin that he does something reckless and loses all support on the world stage. I can’t stress enough how important, and dangerous, the current situation is.
In Liberty,
Michael Krieger
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This is the NWO model for the future, as seen in Greece et al – bankrupt a country, install financial technocrats that aren’t citizens, and run the show for the western oligarchy. Fight proxy wars and topple the next domino. Rinse, repeat. It is becoming so completely transparent. They no longer need to hide their moves, as the sheeple don’t have any ability to do anything about it.
The only problem is that the next domino, Russia, isn’t going to fall. I see all out war ahead. TPTB will in no way back down, as this is their ‘finest’ hour and closest to victory. They are salivating at getting Russia into a corner, so that it must lash out.
Ukrain is being prepared to be the new Israel!
Very dissappointing imperialist, warmongering, xenophobic and antiprivatization article. How is Russian war against its neighbor not aggressive? Why Mike defends state enterprises from privatization? Are tiny Lithuania and Georgia really imperialist rulers exploiting Ukraine? Is Aivaras living for 12 years in Kiiv with his Ukrainian family a “foreigner”?
In Central and Eastern Europe there is a centuries long tradition to invite talented administrators from abroad. Understandably Ukrainians don’t have prejudice against their friendly nations and fellow victims of Russian imperialism.
Thank you, sincerely, for the best laugh I’ve had in about three weeks.
Ukraine is not inviting “talented administrators” by any stretch of the imagination. Read this article and tell me how “talented” Natalie Jaresko is: http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2014/12/meet-greet-natalie-jaresko-us-government-employee-ukraine-finance-minister.html
As you can see, her underperforming fund was funded by USAID, which in many cases is simply a CIA proxy. See:
http://libertyblitzkrieg.com/2014/08/04/u-s-government-caught-using-humanitarian-hiv-program-as-a-front-to-foster-cuban-dissent/
http://libertyblitzkrieg.com/2014/04/03/conspiracy-fact-how-the-u-s-government-covertly-invented-a-cuban-twitter-to-create-revolution/
This woman is not a talented administrator, she has intelligence agency asset written all over her.
One of the best Lithuanian – Polish kings was Stephen Báthory whom the republic invited from Hungary. This is how things work in Central Europe. It might be too exotic for xenophobic Americans to understand.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_B%C3%A1thory
Meanwhile, Czech Hussites invited Lithuanian king to rule Bohemia
“The Hussites were aided at various times by Poland. Because of this, Jan Žižka arranged for the crown of Bohemia to be offered to King Władysław II Jagiełło of Poland, who, under pressure from his own advisors, refused it. The crown was then offered to Władysław’s cousin, Vytautas, the Grand Duke of Lithuania. Vytautas accepted it, with the condition that the Hussites reunite with the Catholic Church. In 1422, Žižka accepted Prince Sigismund Korybut of Lithuania (nephew of Władysław II) as regent of Bohemia for Vytautas.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hussite_Wars
There is nothing wrong with foreign administration. It’s a usual thing in Central Europe.
Nothing wrong with a couple of American financiers running the world! It’s the entire modern imperialist model.
Mike, Aivaras Abromavičius is a an ethnic Lithuanian, living in Ukraine and working for a Swedish company established by the Swedish and Lithuanian entrepreneurs. Who are these American financiers you talk about?
We all understand that Russian imperialism slaughters thousands again in Ukraine. How are Lithuanians, Swedes or Georgians doing imperialism is Ukraine? Mike, your article is an embarrassment for US libertarians, same as Ron Paul on RT.
Natalie Jaresko is an ethnic Ukrainian, who lives in Ukraine since 1995, almost since since Unkrainian independence. So much for “foreign rule”.
“Vegas”, Natalie Jaresko is much more than an ethnic Ukrainian. Let’s start with her poorly performing fund, and how it was funded:
http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2014/12/meet-greet-natalie-jaresko-us-government-employee-ukraine-finance-minister.html
This “fund” was funded by USAID, which is often nothing more than a CIA proxy:
http://libertyblitzkrieg.com/2014/08/04/u-s-government-caught-using-humanitarian-hiv-program-as-a-front-to-foster-cuban-dissent/
http://libertyblitzkrieg.com/2014/04/03/conspiracy-fact-how-the-u-s-government-covertly-invented-a-cuban-twitter-to-create-revolution/
This woman has intelligence agency asset written all over her.
Mike, I hope you will withdraw this misguided anti Ukrainian article.
Vegas I hope your country stop this democratic war around the world and keep you hands off other countries, btw hands are dirty enough already not to believe any information you give…
Can you resolve your own problems inside without war outside?
Ike nightmares come true.
It is pity that after 25 years mostly everybody became so silly.
You can’t fight stupid
You want tension? While the Western Powers are trying to pivot Ukraine, Putin has begun trying to pivot Turkey.
Two days ago, Putin and Erdogan signed a pipeline deal in their own currencies. Seems like Putin’s countermove to the west’s deal with the Saudis to up the oil production is to strike a deal with Erdogan — who Western powers are leaving in the wind anyway. If the Western Elites start thinking Putin and his Mob can pivot Turkey — and their Mob — well, that just might ratchet the tension past “duck and cover”.
( http://rt.com/news/210511-russia-turkey-gas-pipeline/ )
If you’ve been following the chessboard politics of that region, Turkey’s a pretty big deal for Western operations in the area, now and in the near future. I think this will be considered in the policy circles and the thinktanks of that stinking bog of a city to be a trespass on their own sphere of influence. Methinks a color revolution might sweep over Turkey soon…
I smell some strong shilling happening in the comments. Abromavicius’s first year of education appears to have been funded by the Soros Fund in Estonia. Natalie Jaresko was indeed a US Diplomat and is an investment banker, like Abromavicius.
“Vegas” doesn’t think these facts tie these people to American financiers. “Vegas” also thinks It’s totally cool, healthy, and historically appropriate to call in foreigners to rule a state if it’s in Central Europe. I bet that’s just what the Ukrainians were asking for. I bet they were just asking to get their State gold stolen, too…
Man, the comment section today is replete with globalist shills and aspiring international bankers, it seems. Yikes.
“Methinks a color revolution might sweep over Turkey soon…”
HA! My thoughts, as well!
“Paging Victoria Nuland, Victoria Nuland please pick up the courtesy phone…”
Is Economy Minister Aivaras Abromavicius Jewish?
It should read he “will take the reins”; “reign” is what kings do.
I have no idea, but please tell me why that makes a difference. I was raised Jewish, who cares?
What a load of deluded bollocks this resolution is. The only nation that has been overtly aggressive to other countries using the perverse cover of ‘freedom’ and ‘democracy’ since the end of WW2 is the US. Over 200 conflicts, direct and indirect, with millions killed.
The US spent $5Billion overthrowing the elected government of the Ukraine and by definition overtly interfered in the national affairs of the Ukraine. No Russian military units are in the Ukraine other than those already based in the Crimea. The retarded resolution calls for the Russians to withdraw. How can their withdraw when they never invaded? If they have invaded I am sure the numbuts in Washington would have been quick to provide evidence.
Lovely to see another website flooded with Russian war propaganda. 5$ billions were spent over 20 years! on democracy promotion, it was not targeted against any particular regime. Russian military is obviously in Ukraine, with its tanks, missiles, officers, etc, it also shells Ukraine from across the border. The proof is Russian weapons, Russian war prisoners, documented border crossings, cross border shelling, Russian citizenship of the leading terrorists, public announcements of the Russian terrorists operating in Ukraine, coffins with dead militants flowing to Russia, etc.
vegas,
why is it the usa is spending 5 billion overseas when it could be spending it on some programs to help it’s own citizens? it is hard to view this and the various george soros of the world funing ngos in ukraine as anything other then an attempt at gaining favour economically/financially.. now apparently some folks call this ‘democracy promotion’ but some of us are a wee bit more skeptical or cynical and view it otherwise.. we will just have to agree to disagree.. save the bs about russian propaganda as it obviously cuts both ways and you are a good example of this western propaganda.
James, Soros’s Open Society Fund publishes classical philosophy books, please tell me what kind of corruption publishing David Hume or Black Boo of Communism does.
No one needs to propagandize me – Russkies used similar methods when they invaded my country, I have been in Ukraine including Crimea, I’m from country neighboring Russia – there is nothing new or different in this Russian war against Ukraine.
James, I don’t advocate US gov spending any money, but promoting democracy over 20 years is a very different thing from overthrowing a particular regime Ron Paul and Putin lie about.
This article got plugged on New World Next Week, a thing by James Corbett ( http://corbettreport.com ) and James Evan Pilato ( http://mediamonarchy.com ). You might want to talk to them, you guys are in the same boat.
Obama closes TV-station for NATO
http://rt.com/op-edge/212587-assange-democracy-mass-media/
Tom, it’s just Putlerist RT. Why suddenly “Libertarians” are are so concerned about the Nazi state propaganda outlets. It’s a disgrace that Ron Paul collaborates with RT.
Why is it a disgrace? I have been interviewed on several occasions on Max Keiser’s RT show. No one briefed me beforehand, told me what to talk about or what I could or couldn’t say. It was 100% uncensored and I reached 10’s of thousands of people.
I use Twitter, this doesn’t mean I endorse the CEO or large shareholders. It’s merely a powerful and effective platform.
Sure, RT should be seen through the lenses of Putin propaganda, but so should all American mainstream media. Voices of dissent should still appear on American mainstream media propaganda outlets because it is a platform, and still a good way to get ideas out there.
Decent people don’t work for Russian government, especially during such times when it’s mass murdering thousands. Libertarians I know refuse to talk to RT for years.
Dude, your propaganda dial is set way too high. You’ve got to be a little less one-sided to be effective. “Decent people don’t work for Russian government”? The US murders millions. I guess there isn’t one single person working for the US government either, right?
But that doesn’t matter, I imagine you get paid for your work either way.
And, by the way, who are these libertarians that won’t talk to RT? I’d love to have some names of these people you know — but I’m guessing you won’t be naming them.
Egle Markeviciute who was attacked by Ron Paul Institute Putlerists http://www.ronpaulinstitute.org/archives/neocon-watch/2014/march/26/did-students-for-liberty-leader-really-attack-ron-paul.aspx
That article has nothing to do with RT, it’s an argument for the position staked in Michael’s post, and one you are arguing _against_. I bet you just did a google search and picked out the first article you saw. The link you provided made no mention of this Egle person, although I found her connection to the linked article myself, which can be found here: http://blog.panampost.com/alexander-mccobin/2014/03/24/ron-paul-gets-it-wrong-when-he-speaks-about-secession-and-crimea/ . Their source for the claim that Russia annexed Crimea “at gunpoint”? Huffington Post…
Sigisj, it is you who are an Imperialist warmonger.
Your objective is transparent, your tactics are ineffective, your effort is bad and you should feel bad.
But you’re a quasi-government employee, so why does it matter how good you are at your job? You’re going to get paid either way.
I find hilarious when shills like Ron Paul use foreign government funding for regime change in US and shout about funding of regime change overseas.
Ok, since you sound like a hysterical defender of imperialism, let’s put it out there.
Where were you born? Are you an American citizen now? Yes, these are important questions and they matter. If you want to call people like Ron Paul shills, let’s find out a little more about you.
Is that an example out of your “Redirections” script page? “When accused of shilling, redirect onto another target”
The thing is, you goofed up your target. You want to convince the readers of this page that this is all just Russian Propaganda? You’re not going to succeed if you accuse Ron Paul of warmongering and shilling.
You’re not even trying anymore. Actually, are you trying to get caught? Maybe you want to leave enough clues for us to be able to conclusively show who pays you to post here?
Keep posting and we can find out.
Valeriy Voshchevskiy, deputy prime minister for infrastructure and ecology, said he wanted to privatize state holdings such as the railway and road-building monopolies.
This is where American financial oligarchs will get paid. It’s all about looting at the end of the day, as always.
Do i have to say more? Ukraine could have kept it’s assets and accepted 35 billion in Russian aid without conditions.
Hilarious when supposedly “libertarians” rant against privatization, cheerlead state enterprises.
#TAURIdA – FREEd POLITICAL EURO ZONE ! #CRIMEA POSSIBLE to still SALVAGE!
EUROVISION IN #EUROCRIMEA ! TROOPS BEING WITHDRAWN, EURO INTRODUCED!
Better a small earthquake, than great war. Or? …
https://eurokrym.blogspot.ru/