Crimea crisis forcing Harper to rethink NATO, Arctic defence

[Locutus]

For many Canadians, the events in Crimea constitute a quarrel in a far-away country between people of whom they know nothing, to quote Neville Chamberlain on the 1938 Sudeten crisis.

But Russia is not that far away. It borders our Arctic frontier. It’s a country with which we have conflicting claims over sovereignty of the Arctic sea-bed and, perhaps, its waters. And it’s a country that has shown itself prepared to use military force to satisfy its territorial ambitions.

There is a growing consensus the Harper government’s hard line over events in Ukraine is going to require a radical new defence doctrine, prepared for the contingency of an expansionist Russia.

Stephen Harper has soured on NATO, viewing it through the prism of Afghanistan, where the alliance was deemed to have placed an undue burden on a small number of participating members.


more


John Ivison: Crimea crisis forcing Harper to rethink NATO, Arctic defence | National Post

 

[MHz]

Easy solution, give Harper and Two Creeks some slingshots and a tent and send them to Baffin Island, a more practical solution would be to fire Harper and put in some sort of thinking human. To fire a politician that has been elected looks to be as easy as it was done in the Ukraine and you get the blessing of NATO member cronies.

 

[Machjo]

For many Canadians, the events in Crimea constitute a quarrel in a far-away country between people of whom they know nothing, to quote Neville Chamberlain on the 1938 Sudeten crisis.

But Russia is not that far away. It borders our Arctic frontier. It’s a country with which we have conflicting claims over sovereignty of the Arctic sea-bed and, perhaps, its waters. And it’s a country that has shown itself prepared to use military force to satisfy its territorial ambitions.

There is a growing consensus the Harper government’s hard line over events in Ukraine is going to require a radical new defence doctrine, prepared for the contingency of an expansionist Russia.

Stephen Harper has soured on NATO, viewing it through the prism of Afghanistan, where the alliance was deemed to have placed an undue burden on a small number of participating members.


more


John Ivison: Crimea crisis forcing Harper to rethink NATO, Arctic defence | National Post

Somehow I doubt the 'Putin Doctrine' would work in Canada, unless he could give the Inuit a really sweet deal to incite them to vote to join Russia. But then that might be a good thing since at least then Canada's defense doctrine would now have to involve keeping all citizens happy with staying in Canada

We should consider too that Crimea was part of russia since the 18th century, transfered to Ukraine by Nikita Kruschev. I guess the idea is that when Ukraine was part of the USSR, that was fine, but now that it's separate, Russia wants it back with the will of the people of Crimea. I'm not aware of a similar history for Nunavut.

 

[Blackleaf]

It doesn't matter what the Canadians do. Russia will whup Canada's *** (as the Yanks would say) should the two countries go to war.

 

[Machjo]

It doesn't matter what the Canadians do. Russia will whup Canada's *** (as the Yanks would say) should the two countries go to war.

As Sun Tsu said, a good general knows how to win a war, a great one knows how to avoid a war. Ah those ancient Chinese strategists.

 

[lone wolf]

What would he say about a pissant taunting an anteater?

 

[mentalfloss]

Putin won't launch an attack on Canada.

 

[lone wolf]

I wonder how many westerners will chew their crow gracefully should Putin prove to be a man of his word?

 

[Tecumsehsbones]

I wonder how many westerners will chew their crow gracefully should Putin prove to be a man of his word?

Which word?

 

[lone wolf]

Which word?

Do your own research....

 

[mentalfloss]

I'll eat the crow.

Putin is not a threat.

 

[Tecumsehsbones]

Do your own research....

OK, to which word of Putin's many do you refer?

 

[lone wolf]

Word - aka promise, objective, troth, vow. If you really are a lawyer, I can understand your confusion

 

[Tecumsehsbones]

Well, here's one word he didn't keep.

Russian and Crimean parliaments sign treaty of accession

By Will Englund, Updated: Tuesday, March 18, 11:04 AM E-mail the writers


MOSCOW —Russia effectively absorbed Crimea on Tuesday afternoon, moments after President Vladimir Putin declared that Russia has no designs on any other parts of Ukraine.

In a speech to a joint session of parliament, which he used to call for the “reunification” of Crimea with Russia, he said the region has a special role in Russian history that makes it unique.



Ecstatic members of the Russian parliament watched while Putin and Crimean leaders signed a treaty of accession as soon as Putin was done speaking, and the Kremlin said afterward it considers the treaty to be in force even before parliament has ratified it.
Sevastopol, the city where Russia’s Black Sea fleet is based, also entered the Russian Federation, as a separate entity.

Even while declaring that Moscow will not seek to expand its holdings in Ukraine, Putin also promised that Russia will do what it must to protect the rights of Russians living abroad -- which suggests that he intends to play a role in restive eastern Ukraine, with its large ethnic Russian population.

He said Moscow will always protect the rights of Russians using “political, diplomatic and legal means.”

But he stressed: “Don’t believe those who say Russia will take other regions after Crimea. We don’t need that.”


Kremlin says Crimea now officially part of Russia following treaty signing, Putin speech - The Washington Post

Well, nice that he gave his word on "other regions."

 

[lone wolf]

Even while declaring that Moscow will not seek to expand its holdings in Ukraine, Putin also promised that Russia will do what it must to protect the rights of Russians living abroad -- which suggests that he intends to play a role in restive eastern Ukraine, with its large ethnic Russian population.

...which suggests...

I suggest you're trolling. Does that make it fact?

 

[mentalfloss]

We are living in a pretty safe world when it comes to military intervention. Even Russia's occupation of Crimea was only to hasten that referendum and if it came down to physical conflict, Russia would lose more than gain. The same holds true for any ridiculous notion that he would jump on our soil.

The retribution would be swift and in our favour.

 

[Locutus]

Unless that 'soil' happens to be a much disputed region such as the north pole. We could, and would do, nothing. We'd huff and puff and write letters like barry, tweet our displeasure but in the end, the area would become known as Russian territory...perhaps even due to some made-up concessions by both sides to save everyone the trouble.

 

[B00Mer]

Which word?

Russia to boost military presence in Arctic as Canada plots north pole claim | World news | The Guardian

Putin's Arctic invasion: Russia lays claim to the North Pole - and all its gas, oil, and diamonds | Mail Online

 

[Tecumsehsbones]

Russia to boost military presence in Arctic as Canada plots north pole claim | World news | The Guardian

Putin's Arctic invasion: Russia lays claim to the North Pole - and all its gas, oil, and diamonds | Mail Online

Well, that's one word I hope they keep.

 

[B00Mer]

Well, that's one word I hope they keep.

?? Traitor.

That would be WWIII if Russia invaded Canada or tried to lay claim to Canadian territory..

I may not be much of a Canadian, but fukk with my country and that will buy you a bullet from me.. nobody, nobody is untouchable in this world..

A Cheytac .408 cal can make short work of most peoples brain matter at 2800 yards.