Ulson Gunnar
As the US and Europe prepare another round of sanctions against Russia over the ongoing Ukrainian conflict, the third round of such sanctions since the conflict began shortly after the Euromaidan unrest resulted in the installation of a NATO-backed regime in Kiev, a curious and inexplicable oversight appears to have been made.
While wild accusations have been leveled against Russia over its involvement over the violence in Ukraine, claims ranging from covert support up to and including unsubstantiated claims of a “full scale invasion,” prominent media organizations across the Western world have for years reported a flow of cash, weapons, equipment and fighters from America’s allies in the Persian Gulf as well as from nations like NATO member Turkey, and into the conflict raging within Syria’s borders.
While baseless claims leveled against Russia have served as ample justification for the West to continue leveling sanctions against Moscow, no sanctions have as of yet been leveled against the overt sponsors of militancy and, in fact, terrorism in Syria. So widespread has state-sponsored terrorism become in the Middle East that what began as a limited proxy war against Syria has transformed into an immense regional army with tens of thousands of paid soldiers requiring millions of dollars a day to operate across multiple borders and confounding the forces of Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon combined.
Steven MacMillan
As the sanctions against the Russian government continue to be implemented by Western nations, Moscow has been forced to look to Asia for economic and strategic partnerships. The Kremlin has been negotiating significant trade deals with two giants in the region for years now, with the prospect of a new geopolitical reality emerging if Russia, Iran and China continue to forge stronger ties into the future.
At the beginning of August, Russia and Iran signed a historic $20 billion oil deal which will see the two nations enhancing cooperation within the “oil and gas industry”, in addition to strengthening economic collaboration. The deal proposes that Russia will assist Tehran in developing its energy infrastructure along with purchasing Iranian oil, in exchange for Iran importing consumer goods and agriculture products including wheat, leather, pulses and meat. Further talks are set to take place at the Russia-Iran intergovernmental commission meeting in Tehran on September 9-10, which will see the details of the deal cemented.
Tony Cartalucci
In a report by the Sydney Morning Herald titled, "Julie Bishop says 'petulant' Russian sanctions reflect its lack of acceptance for role in MH17 disaster," it claims:
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop says Russia's "petulant" trade sanctions on Australian food imports is yet another example of Moscow trying to evade responsibility for the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17.
However, Bishop fails to indicate why Russia should or would accept responsibility for downing an aircraft when no evidence whatsoever even suggests such culpability. Canberra, Washington, London, and Brussels are citing dubious YouTube videos, Facebook, and other forms of "social media," while Russia has provided radar and satellite pictures and has repeatedly called for and supported a proper, independent, impartial investigation into the incident.
