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My conspiracy theory for today - Russia's to blame for oil prices
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| emc^2 |
So, I was reading, thinking and it dawned on me... perhaps the nuclear stand off with Iran is not so much about the nukes, as it is about lining a pocket of certain people......... in Russia.
Here's my thought process:
1. Iran power plant project has been going on for many years - I am sure it's no news to Israel or US. It's not like they broke ground just few months ago. I think the actual timeline is around 5 or so years that Russkies have been over there, constructing the power plant.
2. Russia plays possum, posing no threat to Uncle Sam and being all friendly. Also offers intelligence on terrorist operations and tries to be best buddy for a nominal privilege of being part of G8. US turns blind eye to Russkie's shawdow operations and all is peachy.
3. Putin, lacking what we would call "positive personal cash flow" develops (I am sure not all by himself) a gambit:
a. Seize oil and natural resource sector and prevent international intersts from taking the strongest peaceful/economic levers Russia has. Mr. Khodarkovskiy spent too much time schmoozing with Western companies and sticking his nose into politics for this to go unnoticed. Which also sent a strong message to other "wannabes" - 'don't with mother Russia'.
b. Seize media outlets to prevent opposition from spreading negative image and also tell people what they need to hear and see.
c. Make an offer to Mr. Chelski (a.k.a. Abramovich) that he can't refuse - sell your companies back to Russia and get some nice payoff or go to jail like your buddy Khodar'. I'm sure it was a lot more friendlier conversation, as Abramovich is Putin's buddy who had no problem lining his pockets. Also, I have a sub-conspiracy theory: I'm sure that out of $13Bln that Abramovich got for his company, a lion's share went through some serious "three card monte" right into Volodya's pocket.
Now Vova has the Queen and two Knights... Time to position the pieces.
4. Supply Iraqis with intelligence and arms to give Uncle Sam a viable run for his money. Russia was caught red-handed in the act but it was all swept under the rug rather swiftly to prevent an international conflict of -monstrous proportions and to avoid re-opening a Cold War on a level of Bay of Pigs stand-off. Why abeit Iraqis, you ask? Simple - focus time, money and energy of US to deplete finances and create enough casualties to make another armed conflict unattractive. Not to mention hinder oil supplies in Iraq, to make other sources of oil more attractive (and more in demand, therefore costly). With this mission accomplished, let's move our Knights in a more favorable position.
5. Once natural resources are under control and media is playing to Putin's tune, it's time to start reaping the benefits. "Hmm... let's see... Ukraine wants to sever the ties and position NATO forces within a spitting distance of Russia? Fine, let's slap them with a gas bill they can't live on for moving towards US interests... and create a political turmoil. To create a counter-ballance, let's get Uzbekistan to kick those pesky Americans out before they spread their cancer there as well. Oh, and Mr. Lukashenko - please relax, your job is secure, just remember to play ball.
So, we'll take Ukrainian money and pump it straight into our interests to keep other territories from following the same path. Now... Georgia doesn't like our policies and wants to criticize us in international forum and be nice to Uncle Sammy too? Fine... how about a little sabotage of gas lines to freeze their rebel asses in the winter... and trade embargo to starve them? Yes, the irony is immence. Use your Georgia-born Stalin's strategies against Georgean people.
...oh, and as the ultimate " You" to US, let's support Hammas. Yeah, beyoootches, weeee'z baack, yo! Fo' shizzle! Now, suck ma pizzle US and EU! BUWHAHAHAHAH (mandatory pinky under the corner of the mouth, please)"
which brings me to
6. Now that the temperature around the world is nice and hot, let's start squeezing the grip around the collective balls of the West. Iran is used as a super-pump to keep the pressure up and high. And don't you worry about the heat from US. They won't strike you and any sanctions will be boycotted by both your friends, Russia and China - so, you got nothing to worry about aside from some criticism and promisses to slap your wrist if you continue with your plan to destroy Israel. Also, let's sell some arms to Syria, just in case Israel decides to help America - one front maybe... two fronts? harder. So, Israel will think long and hard about attacking Iranian interests.
So, the bottom line - now that you got Iran as the Frankenstein - big, strong, and under control of the evil professor, you can now dictate your profit at a moment's notice. Want to hike the prices, have Iran yell some rhetoric like "Destroy Israel, kill US, Nuke those bastards" - and just watch the counter go up. Want to placate them, tell them - 'Now, Iran - be nice or we will think about thinking about possibly thinking of criticizing you. You may even hear some words that will make you feel like you're a bad doggy..' - oops, and watch the price go down.
So, with all the key pieces positioned and ready to rock, Russia is by far, the biggest winner in this entire mess. They get to reap benefits from oil sales, nuke construction deals, and white and black market arms sales. Who do you think supplies Iranian army????
Cool, eh? ...or am I completely bonkers?:nervous: |
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| Marc Summers |
That's no conspiracy dude. That's just the truth about how russia does things. This is good for the people who don't know anything about russia, though.
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| aNYthing |
forget Star Wars, this is the ultimate "The Empire Strikes Back" times we're living in....
Who wants to place wagers that Putin stays in power after his term is up? My money is on Putin.... |
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| Lepanto |
| Putin is already working on his third term. We need an Orange Revolution in Russia. I just hope that the Opposition leaders and Kasparov can agree on one man to represent them to overthrow that totalatariasm. |
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| LazFX |
| Yep, I can see how this is going on, we have been so side tracked with all these peon nations and people that we have totally missed Toto pulling the curtain back..... |
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| emc^2 |
Now, I'm sure that not many folks who hold power reigns around the world are too gloomy at the gas pump these days. yes, they do pay higher gas premiums like most of us as well... but thier energy portfolios are covering more than enough to eat a little more into their gas budget.
My friend invested 25K 4 years ago into energy fund. His fund is now worth over 95K (after all fees and all).... not bad, eh? |
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| emc^2 |
Just read the speach Putin made few days ago for the "Duma" - russian parliament.... Well folks, looks like the Cold War is warming up again.
Putin made arms race and strenghthening of the military his primary agenda. He openly criticized US and even compared US to a "wolf", he said "comrade wolf knows who to eat. he eats and doesn't listen to anyone. And looking at things, probably is not planning to (listen) either."
...am I the only one concerned??? I don't think Iraq is as big of worry as Russia-US relations are... :nervous:
Edit: here's some food for thought:
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Boris Makarenko, deputy head of the Centre for Political Technologies, said the speech marked the beginning of a new approach in which Russia, bolstered by high oil and gas prices, had stopped discussing democracy and other issues with the west and had said instead: "We are strong, we have wealth and we'll use it in a way we consider necessary."
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The Guardian |
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| Lepanto |
| GO OPPOSITION GO, TAKE DOWN THIS TYRANT DICTATOR! |
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| Marc Summers |
| Could this even have been avoided? I don't think any politician took this whole capitalism/democracy thing seriously in the first place. :o |
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| Lepanto |
| quote: | Originally posted by Marc Summers
Could this even have been avoided? I don't think any politician took this whole capitalism/democracy thing seriously in the first place. :o |
we have a winn0r :p |
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| Marc Summers |
| Can anyone find a transcript of putin's state-of-the-nation address? |
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| aNYthing |
*sigh* :rolleyes:
"putin state of the nation transcript"
....ya lazy bum.... grrr....:mad:
Transcript
ahhh... this statement is sure to give anyone a dose of "warm and cozies":
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I would like to raise another important issue today. Disarmament was an important part of international politics for decades. Our country made an immense contribution to maintaining strategic stability in the world. But with the acute threat of international terrorism now on everyone’s minds the key disarmament issues are all but off the international agenda, and yet it is too early to speak of an end to the arms race.
What’s more, the arms race has entered a new spiral today with the achievement of new levels of technology that raise the danger of the emergence of a whole arsenal of so-called destabilising weapons.
There are still no clear guarantees that weapons, including nuclear weapons, will not be deployed in outer space. There is the potential threat of the creation and proliferation of small capacity nuclear charges. Furthermore, the media and expert circles are already discussing plans to use intercontinental ballistic missiles to carry non-nuclear warheads. The launch of such a missile could provoke an inappropriate response from one of the nuclear powers, could provoke a full-scale counterattack using strategic nuclear forces.
And meanwhile far from everyone in the world has abandoned the old bloc mentality and the prejudices inherited from the era of global confrontation despite the great changes that have taken place. This is also a great hindrance in working together to find suitable responses to the common problems we face.
Taking into account all of the above, Russia’s military and foreign policy doctrines must also provide responses to the issues of today, namely, how to work together with our partners in current conditions, to fight effectively not just terrorism but also the proliferation of nuclear, chemical and bacteriological weapons, how to settle the local conflicts in the world today and how to overcome the other new challenges we face. Finally, we need to make very clear that the key responsibility for countering all of these threats and ensuring global security will lie with the world’s leading powers, the countries that possess nuclear weapons and powerful levers of military and political influence. This is why the issue of modernising Russia’s Armed Forces is extremely important today and is of such concern to Russian society.
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--V. Putin |
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