...West-Siberian Pipeline, or Trans-Siberian Pipeline) is one of Russia's main natural gas export pipelines, partially owned and operated by Ukraine. The pipeline was constructed in 1982-1984. It created the transcontinental gas transportation system Western Siberia-Western Europe. Controversies surrounding the pipeline The erstwhile Soviet’s plans to build the pipeline were considered a threat to the balance of energy trade in Europe, and were strongly opposed by the Reagan administration. The United States prevented U.S. companies from selling supplies to the Soviets for the pipeline, as part of what was also retribution against the Soviets for their policies towards Poland. America's Western European allies, however, refused to bow to U.S. pressure to boycott the pipeline, insisting that contracts already signed between the Soviets and European companies needed to be honoured. This led to several European companies being sanctioned by the U.S. Government. Reagan reportedly said "Well, they can have their damned pipeline, but not with American equipment and not with American technology." The efforts by the U.S. pressure to prevent the construction of the pipeline, and its export embargo of supplies for the pipeline (1980–1984) constituted one of the most severe transatlantic crises of the Cold War. Russia-Ukraine gas dispute The Russia–Ukraine gas disputes refer to a number of disputes between Ukrainian oil and gas company Naftogaz Ukrainy and Russian gas supplier Gazprom over...
Words: 839 - Pages: 4
...Energy & Geostrategy 1. Europe's dependence on Russian gas - 30% of Europe's gas comes from Russia and some nations are 70-100% dependent - dependence gives Putin political leverage - why is this an issue? - Lets look back to 2006 - Gazprom (SOE of RUS) raised NG prices from 50 - 230/1000 cubic meters unilaterally for the Ukraine (to exercise their influence) -> Ukraine denied the price hike and the pipes were turned off. As Ukraine is comprised of many Soviet-era pipelines and these pipelines supplied 80% of the 25% of gas that Europe depends on RUS for Austria, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy and Poland all reported gas pressure in their pipelines down 30%. - Yes, Europe has made progress since then to decrease dependence but is still relies on Russian gas via Ukrainian pipelines for 15% of its gas - with decreasing production of Norwegian and Britain gas (increasing offshore drilling prices) - this number only looks to increase - Europe is on a steady, but fragile recovery after the credit crisis. One thing is for certain - to continue this growth energy is needed - next point 2. Americas role in coming decades - between the period of 2008 - 2013 US has increased crude oil production by 50%. They have surpassed Russia's production and are set to pass Saudi Arabia as yearly as next year. The US is set to not only become an energy exporter but a energy superpower. - what implications does this have? - as US production...
Words: 639 - Pages: 3
...How the U.S. Should Support Ukraine Recently, Russia has been moving their military forces into the neighboring country of Ukraine with the intended goal of trying to take control over some of the land. It is the belief of many people that Russia hopes to divide up Ukraine permanently. The United States government is considering a few different possible responses to the movements being made. One possible solution currently being debated upon is for the United States to send in our own military forces. Although a unified Ukraine is in the best interest of America, the United States should not use military action to help the Ukrainian government push Russia outside its borders. The crisis began last year in November when former Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych announced that Ukraine was leaving from an agreement designed to build a bond with the European Union. The government was intending to work more closely with the Russian government in Moscow. As a result, many protestors went out in public and continued to seize the Kiev City Hall in December. Critical events ensued as a few protestors died during a demonstration with the police being involved. Several days later, the prime minister of Ukraine resigned and anti-protest laws were repealed by parliament. Soon after that, violence in the street occurred, leaving as many as twenty-six people dead and hundreds injured. Yanukovych fled the country after a political coup took place and the opposition leader, Yulia Tymoshenko...
Words: 1577 - Pages: 7
...Conceptualising the Russia-Ukraine Conflict in Realist and Materialist Terms Kofi Adu Frimpong Kholmati Kholik Global Political Economy Global Political Economy 33423968 33420343 kadfrimpong@yahoo.com kkholik@gmail.com 15/03/2016 Abstract The so called Euromaidan revolution – Ukraine’s struggle to move one step further to closer ties with Europe by liberating itself from the Russian orbit, have created the Russia-Ukraine Crisis. It has re-established and heightened the tensions between Russia and West. Realism has been on the fore front of the academic discussion in explaining the crisis as the power competition between Russia and the West. Alternatively, Materialism has provided a different yet deeper analytical perspective on the conflict by attributing it to the broadening of the transnational class capitalism. This paper will seek to explain and scrutinize the analytical differences in conceptualizing this crisis in Realist and Materialist terms. Keywords: Ukraine crisis, Realism, Security, Materialism, Lockean heartland, Contender states Table of Contents 1 Introduction 4 2 Theoretical framework 5 2.1 Theoretical underpinnings of the Realist school of thought 5 2.2 Theoretical underpinnings of Materialism: Amsterdam School Approach 7 2.2.1 The Lockean Heartland 8 2.2.2 Contender States 9 2.2.3 Ex-contender states, aspirant states, and capitalist class fraction 10 3 The Russia-Ukraine conflict 12 3.1 Russia-Ukraine conflict in...
Words: 9639 - Pages: 39
...The Russian war against the Ukraine has some unique features. Ukraine has been invaded and controlled by the units of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. From the perspective of international law, it should be undoubtedly called a crime of aggression: The devious methods used by political and military leadership of Russia to cover the armed invasion of the Ukraine (operations of special units; the units and equipment of the regular Russian army without insignia, which were sent to Ukraine, the use of civilians, including women and children, as human shields in the takeovers of Ukrainian military bases and the financing and supply of arms to mercenaries; Subversion of Russian secret services; the use of propaganda mechanisms and more) aggravate the responsibility of Russia as aggressor. For the first time beginning with Crimea, Russian soldiers without insignias took control of strategic positions and infrastructure within the Ukrainian territory of Crimea. The fact that a State has used the first force against another state, is the most important main criterion of aggression. Article 2 of General Assembly resolution 3314 of the United Nations, "Definition of Aggression”, which was adopted on 14 December 1974 represents "The first use of armed force by a State in contravention of the Charter shall constitute prima facie evidence of an act of aggression ". According article 3 of UN General Assembly Resolution 3314: “There is no legal significance whether the war was officially...
Words: 958 - Pages: 4
...Delving into the history of the East Ukrainian conflict and recent annexation of the Crimean Peninsula by Putin-led Russia brings one to the scene of Ukraine’s former president, Viktor Yanukovych, facing a difficult choice while his country plowed toward economic cataclysm. He could either opt to form deeper ties with Europe in the form of a long-term, initially challenging deal with the EU to bolster trade, or join the Eurasian Union, for which Putin offered an appealing reward package instantaneously. The pro-Russian president of Ukraine at the time decided not to sign the agreement with the EU in the fall of 2013. This EU agreement wasn’t merely a trade agreement, but also a political agreement through which Ukraine would commit to adhering to certain European values and principles. Following this, widespread demonstrations broke out across Kiev, the city’s capital, in what is considered the Ukrainian Revolution. It is important to note, without overemphasizing, that Ukraine has a history of political and cultural divide, with the West (including the capital of Kiev), leaning more towards Europe, while the East having stronger ties with Russia. In the public’s eye, failure to sign the agreement from EU marked a move away from European principles and values. In the wake of the Ukrainian Revolution, then President Viktor Yanukovych fled the capital, which resulted in the Ukrainian parliament deposing him and appointing an interim President, Oleksandr Turchynov, followed by...
Words: 1551 - Pages: 7
...Assignment #4: Russia Annexation of Crimea International Negotiation by Therron Allen Reginald Bruno Monekka Munroe Lillia Stroud Norman Thompson ------------------------------------------------- EDD 7812 OL1 32446 ------------------------------------------------- Strategies and Models of Mediation and Negotiation Nova Southeastern University April 13th, 2014 ------------------------------------------------- Russia Annexation of Crimea ------------------------------------------------- This paper will address the Russia annexation of Crimea and an International Negotiation related To the UN resolution for the West to increase the level of sanctions against Russia. Russia finalized its annexation of Crimea in March 2014. Although sudden, this annexation is not a new and instantaneous interest for the Russian government. There is a long history connecting these two countries dating back to many years ago. ------------------------------------------------- Parties involved in the conflict ------------------------------------------------- This international conflict involves the entire world as each country was interested in a peaceful resolution. Countries sharing a border with Russia are extremely anxious and fearful their security may be threatened as a result of this conflict. Therefore, the primary parties in this conflict is represented by the United Nations (UN) representing international law and security; Ukraine, the injured party; Russia, the supposedly...
Words: 4331 - Pages: 18
...context of the end of the cold war. The idea of “clash of civilizations” suggests that twenty-first century global order will be characterized by growing tension and conflict between rival cultures or civilizations, as opposed to the political, ideological or economic conflict of old. Huntington furthermore argued that the world was split into 9 different civilizational orders, and the West would clash with all of them, but in particular it would clash with the Islamic world, Japan and Russia. The realists have given little attention to the issue of identity or cultural politics. They focus on the behavior of states. However the liberals have recognized this thesis to some extent. Huntington’s view that the West would clash with the Islamic world was vindicated after the September 11th terrorist attacks, neoconservatives looking for a response distanced themselves from Huntington’s rhetoric. Neoconservative George W Bush was keen to emphasize that not all Muslims were to blame for 9/11, and indeed it was just a tiny minority of extremists holding the Islamic world back. Whereas Huntington had argued that the Islamic world was hostile to western ideas of liberal democracy, George W Bush ignored this insight and fought two wars to try and bring democracy to the Middle East, ignoring Huntington’s claim that there would be a backlash if Western values were spread through force. Thus the neoconservatives would view the war on Terror not as a cultural war, as Huntington and most other...
Words: 1503 - Pages: 7
...peninsula, the main flashpoint in Ukraine's crisis, is a pro-Russia part of Ukraine, separated from the rest of the country geographically, historically and politically. It also hosts Russia's Black Sea Fleet. Ukraine has accused Russia of invading it. Located on the Black Sea The Crimean Peninsula extends into the Black Sea, all but an island except for a narrow strip of land in the north connecting it to the mainland. On its eastern shore, a finger of land reaches out almost to Russia. Russia plans to build a bridge across the strait. With an area of 27,000 square kilometers (10,000 square miles), it is slightly smaller than Belgium. It is Ukraine's only formally autonomous region, with Simferopol as its capital. Sevastopol has a separate status within Ukraine. It's best known in the West as the site of the 1945 Yalta Conference, where Soviet dictator Josef Stalin, President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill sealed the postwar division of Europe. History Crimea was absorbed into the Russian empire along with most of ethnic Ukrainian territory by Catherine the Great in the 18th century. Russia's Black Sea naval base at Sevastopol was founded soon afterwards. More than half a million people were killed in the Crimean War of 1853-56 between Russia and the Ottoman Empire, which was backed by Britain and France. The conflict reshaped Europe and paved the way for World War One. In 1921, the peninsula, then populated mainly by Muslim...
Words: 724 - Pages: 3
...Governce of Russia Explain Russian’s invasion in Ukraine and Russian’s action in Crimea by individual level of analysis Background Russia’s invasion in Crimea and Russia’s action in Ukraine were the actions in Ukraine crisis. Ukraine crisis began at the end of February 2014. The cause was the president Viktor Yanukovych refused to sign an association agreement with the European Union on 21 November 2013, and what he did arouse a series of complains in the society. Subsequently, he and his government were removed in the February 2014 revolution by an organized political movement, ‘Euromaidan’. However, people did not accepted who began to protest in flavor of close ties with Russia. Demonstrations and protests were held in Crimea aiming to leave Ukraine’s control and access to the Russian Federation, which lead to the crisis. At the last, Crimea broke away from the control of Ukraine and joined the Russian Federation. And the issues would be analyzed by the individual level analysis. Definition of Individual Level of Analysis Individual level of analysis mainly focuses on decisions made by the individual person who is the important role in the issue. It also shows the influence of the development of international politics by their interactions in 4 aspects, they are personality, perceptions, activities and choices. Putin took a very important role in making decision of action and brought big influence in Ukraine and Crimea. Types of Leader Putin is Vladimir Putin...
Words: 1645 - Pages: 7
...According to a report in Kommersant-Ukraine, the finance ministry of Washington’s stooges in Kiev who are pretending to be a government has prepared an economic austerity plan that will cut Ukrainian pensions from $160 to $80 so that Western bankers who lent money to Ukraine can be repaid at the expense of Ukraine’s poor. It is Greece all over again. VOLTAIRE NETWORK | 7 MARCH 2014 PORTUGUÊS 日本語 This supporter of the Ukraine joining the EU has received her reward: a 50% cut in her pension. Before anything approaching stability and legitimacy has been obtained for the puppet government put in power by the Washington orchestrated coup against the legitimate, elected Ukraine government, the Western looters are already at work. Naive protesters who believed the propaganda that EU membership offered a better life are due to lose half of their pension by April. But this is only the beginning. The corrupt Western media describes loans as “aid.” However, the 11 billion euros that the EU is offering Kiev is not aid. It is a loan. Moreover, it comes with many strings, including Kiev’s acceptance of an IMF austerity plan. Remember now, gullible Ukrainians participated in the protests that were used to overthrow their elected government, because they believed the lies told to them by Washington-financed NGOs that once they joined the EU they would have streets paved with gold. Instead they are getting cuts in their pensions and an IMF austerity plan. The austerity plan...
Words: 918 - Pages: 4
...The concept state has been explained or received numerous definitions based on the understanding of some political scholars as well as the definition giving to it by any other academic discipline base on how they understand it. Their definitions seek to distinguish the concept state from nation and how it elaborate on its similarities and differences. According to Max Weber, a state is the organisation that maintains a monopoly of violence over a territory. Also, Dr. Bossman defines the state as a clearly defined area with its own government that exercises authority over its population. Moreover Patrick O’Neil, explains a state as an institution that seek to yield the majority of force within a territory, establishing order and deterring challenges from inside and out. Generally, a state may be defined as a geographically well-defined area with a boundary, territory and a government with power to exercise authority over its members called citizens. On the other hand, the word nation is defined from the Latin word natus which means birth. The word nation can also mean a group that a person is born into and have linkage [ethnos] or ethnicity. According to Thomas Magstadt and Peter Scihotten, the term nation refers to people who share a common value including any or all of following; geographical location, history, racial and ethnic characteristics, religion, language, culture and beliefs and common political ideas. According to Ernest Baker, a nation is a body...
Words: 2962 - Pages: 12
...History of Ukraine and Russian Conflict To better understand the origins of this conflict, one must realize that this divide is not natural but rather stems from murderous work by Joseph Stalin and one of the largest Western media cover-ups in history. East Ukraine was once as nationalistic and Ukrainian-speaking as Western Ukraine is today. The dramatic transformation of the area was a result of ethnic cleansing. In 1932 a famine engineered by Stalin killed up to an estimated 10 million people, mostly in East Ukraine. Beginning in 1933, the Soviets replaced them with millions of deported Russians. Western Ukraine was then part of Poland and spared Stalin engineered the famine to rid himself of a stubborn enemy. Ukrainians had fought for their independence during the Russian Revolution, and for a short time, they had beaten back the Reds. Beginning in 1932, Stalin sent in soldiers from Russia to seize the agriculture industry in Ukraine. Impossible production quotas were set, and the overzealous soldiers made sure every single ounce of grain went to meeting those quotas. Soviet soldiers destroyed cooking utensils, ovens and killed pets — anything that could provide nourishment. With the borders of Ukraine sealed by the military, starving Ukrainians, wandering blind and delirious from hunger, were trapped to die a slow, excruciating death. To understand better what Stalin did in simple words he slowly killed de natives Ukrainians of Crimea by starving them to death and...
Words: 599 - Pages: 3
...the Crimean Peninsula under the pretense of “protecting Russian people.” Now Crimea is under the direct control of Moscow. The Russian parliament has voted to annex the region into the Russian Federation. There was a mass rally in the capital of Ukraine. The demonstration brought down the Russian backed President Viktor Yanukovych. Moscow could not tolerate this. So they decided to violate the Ukrainian territorial integrity and invaded Crimea. Soon after the invasion there was a dubious referendum in Crimea under the watchful eyes of Russian troop. About ninety six percentage of the population voted to join Russia. So now the Crimea is an independent province of Russian Federation. This is a failure for the Obama administration’s foreign policy in Europe. U.S reduced its forces in Europe in the recent years and this led the Russians to be more aggressive toward their European neighbors. Let us look at some of the article for proof. The editorial “After Crimea” published in April 2014 in the magazine America, says “the United States and the European allies are in no position to push the Russians out of Crimea.” This editorial suggests that the United States and NATO should increase sanction against Russia. Rather than going to war with the Russians. Impose sanction to bring down the Russian ruble and their stock market. Editorial also suggest that the United States should stay focus on assisting the Ukrainian Economy. Although it is not stated, in the editorial I assume why...
Words: 1020 - Pages: 5
...Why the United States is losing the Information War Matt Apel CMR 592 Howard Kleinberg Introduction Cyber Warfare and cyber security have been on the rise for several years now. However, when these topics are discussed amongst government officials, business owners, and civilians the focus has been assaults on personal privacy, hacking into government computers systems, and denial of services. Rarely, is the focus on how armed groups and terrorist organizations are using Information Operations (social media and propaganda) to affect political, economic, and social systems all over the world. Information Operations is defined as, The integrated employment of the core capabilities of electronic warfare, computer network operations, psychological operations, military deception and operations security, in concert with specified supporting and related capabilities, to influence, disrupt, corrupt or usurp adversarial human and automated decision making while protecting our own. Also called IO (Air University 2006). Former Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) member Rand Waltzman states, “I recently concluded a $50 million program, Social Media in Strategic Communication, which led to the release of more than 200 publications and to the creation of a science of social media. What we learned is that “bullsh..t” is a weapon that is being used worldwide to fundamentally attack the medium of the press, and that the issue of freedom of the press is, in fact, a diversion....
Words: 4464 - Pages: 18
