''Iran’s Pars gas field pipeline''

From onlineopinion.au

''The U.S, U.K, Turkey, and the European Union are determined to save the ailing Petro-dollar by preventing the completion of Iran’s Pars gas field pipeline, through Iraq and Syria to the Mediterranean. Should the Pars pipeline go online and remain under Russian, Iranian, Iraqi and Syrian control, then Russia would control approximately 40 per cent of Europe’s gas consumption, and with a Russian allied Syria, Russia would also be able to take part in the development of major gas fields in the eastern Mediterranean Levantine Basin.

Neither Russia nor China will accept a repetition of NATO’s abuse of UNSC Resolution 1973 – 2011 on Libya, but neither will NATO compromise with Russia on Syria. NATO and the GCC are determined to install an anti-Iran/Russia government in Syria that will only provide gas from the GCC to Europe instead of Iranian gas. While the likelihood of the present conflict in Syria ending with a pro-GCC/NATO government ruling a docile Syrian population is negligible, there is a chance that if the Muslim Brotherhood gained control of a significant part of Syria then Western aims could be achieved. Even a chaotic Syria prevents Russian, Iranian, Iraqi and Syrian control of the gas lines to Europe and increases feasibility for the proposed U.S. backed Turkey–Austria Nabucco pipeline projectfor natural gas from Iraq, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan.''

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''Vladimir Putin goes on offensive against US''

From The Telegraph

''During a four and a half hour question and answer session, the president said Russian MPs had acted "emotionally, but reasonably" in approving the legislation, a retaliation for a new US law that bans alleged Russian human rights abusers from visiting the country.

 
Mr Putin said that despite Americans being "up to their ears in a certain substance" made up of their own problems, they still insisted on highlighting Russia's ills.''

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''The Russia-EU-US drama''

From EU Observer

''Interestingly enough, as the EU is preparing for a trade spat, US Senate has moved forward to grant permanent normal trade relations with Russia, after overwhelming support from the House for the measure to lift Cold War-era trade restrictions and President Obama’s pledge to sign the bill.

In Washington, the measure is seen as a way to support US jobs as American multinationals seek participation in new markets amidst stagnation at home. In addition to strengthening economic relations with Russia, US policymakers will seek to cooperate with Moscow on regional issues, including in the Arctic and the North Pacific, while trying to reach an agreement on US-NATO cooperation in missile defence.''

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''Russian warships ready to pull citizens out of Syria''

From Voice of Russia

''A group of two assault ships, a tanker and an escort vessel left a Baltic port on Monday, the source said. "They are heading to the Syrian coast to assist in a possible evacuation of Russian citizens. Preparations for the deployment were carried out in a hurry and were heavily classified," the source was quoted as saying.''

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''Post-American Afghanistan: options, proposals''

From Russia and India Report

''Russia is interested in NATO’s strategy after 2014 for when the withdrawal of the coalition forces from Afghanistan is planned. Other countries which have interests in Afghanistan would also like to receive an answer to the question raised by the Russian Ambassador to NATO Alexander Grushko in Brussels.

As you know, Afghanistan is often called a crossroads between the East and the West.''

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''Russia says West pushing democracy with "iron and blood"

From Reuters

''Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused Western states on Saturday of trying to advance democracy abroad through "iron and blood", defending Moscow's refusal to join nations seeking the exit of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Echoing comments made by Vladimir Putin, Lavrov made his sharply-worded address to a foreign and defense policy council meeting two days before the Russian president travels to Turkey where the war in Syria is expected to dominate talks.''

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“We want Russian troops to stay in Tartus”: head of Syria’s National Coordination Committee''

From Voice of Russia

''Representatives of the Syrian opposition, who travelled to Moscow to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, will return home this Saturday.''

''The National Coordination Committee is one of most moderate opposition groups which are ready for talks with the government. However, now its members fear arrest on their arrival in Damascus and are seeking Russia’s protection.''

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''China jumps aboard a Russian Arctic-bound train''

From Barents Observer
 

''The Chinese company, a large-scale state-owned enterprise specializing in infrastructure investments, has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Republic of Komi with the ultimate goal of developing the Belkomur, the  railway line connecting the northern Russian cities of Perm and Arkhangelsk.''

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''Russia to deploy new ballistic missile in response to Washington's missile defense''

From Voice of Russia

''Russia to deploy new ballistic missile in response to Washington's missile defense

Turkey asked NATO to deploy Patriot missiles on Syrian border

Suicides in the US military break record levels

Detroit, much like America, could be bankrupt in 6 weeks''

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''Russia is facing tough competition from the international community in maintaining its sway over the Arctic but the biggest challenge comes from China''

From Russia & India Report
By Rajeev Sharma

''The Arctic is the new chess board of international strategic rivalries with Russia being on course to further beefing up its robust military presence in the region. Despite a rapidly dwindling population in past quarter century, the Russian Arctic still boasts of 80 percent of the four million population in the Arctic region. But the Russians are facing a stiff challenge from China. Much to the consternation and anxiety of Russia and other Arctic powers, MV Xue Long, China's lone icebreaker, sailed the Northwest Passage in August 2012. It was an event fraught with deep political symbolism that conveyed that China will not be on the fringe – even if it were to be a race for an obscure region.''

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''Putin and Merkel clash over 'anti-Semitic ' Pussy Riot''

From EU Observer

''German Chancellor Angela Merkel has confronted Russian leader Vladimir Putin on human rights while visiting Moscow.

Speaking at a business forum in the Russian capital on Friday (16 November), she said his recent jailing of two members of the Pussy Riot punk band, who staged an anti-government protest on the altar of a Russian church, was disproportionate.

She also said that a series of new Russian laws to curb foreign funding for NGOs and to impose harsher penalties for street protests is a step in the wrong direction.''

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''India, Russia differ on Afghan situation''

From Indian PunchLine
By MK Bhadrakumar

''Two contrasting estimations regarding the future of Afghanistan in the post-2014 scenario emerged in the region over the weekend from Moscow and New Delhi. The Russia-led Collective Security Organization [CSTO] is bracing for the apocalypse in Afghanistan following the “walkout” by the NATO forces. 

Whereas, India is mulling over the great investment opportunities in Afghanistan, undeterred by the worrying thoughts regarding the security situation. ''

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''Arctic might help Russia to restore status of Great Power''

From Barents Observer

''Russia slowly and insistently increases presence in the Arctic, builds new and restores old infrastructure demonstrating strong commitment to national sovereignty in the strategic area. Development of Arctic gradually becomes one of the most popular topics in the Russian big policy. The word “Arctic” represents a unique password that opens doors to the very sacred corridors of power, provides huge federal investments, launches scale research expeditions and establishes incredible business alliances.''

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''Gazprom turns its attention eastwards''

From Russia & India Report

''Gazprom is planning to invest more than $38 billion to build new production capacity in order to enter the fast-growing Asia-Pacific market. The company also plans to build a liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant in Vladivostok.

The state-owned gas monopoly is keen on this substantial investment to gain a share in the burgeoning premium market of the Asia-Pacific Region, Gazprom CEO Alexey Miller said during a meeting with President Vladimir Putin this week.''

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''The Eurasian connection''

From Times of Malta
By Dmitry Medvedev

''In a few days, many heads of state and government will take part in the Asia-Europe Meeting (Asem) in Vientiane, Laos. This forum is justly called unique. Established in 1996, it brings together countries from Europe, South Asia and the Pacific region.

In essence, Asem is a platform for finding answers in a rapidly changing world. On the one hand, our world is characterised by globalisation and increasing global interdependence and, on the other, by regionalisation and the increasing significance of the most rapidly developing regions.

Due to its geographical and cultural diversity as well as its economic potential, Russia must inevitably play a key role in these processes.''

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''Russia planning massive Siberian gas pipeline to Pacific tidewater''

From Alaska Dispatch

''Gazprom, Russia's state-owned gas company, is moving ahead with plans to ship much of its abundant natural gas to countries in Asia, creating more competition for the latest of Alaska's long-running dreams of exporting its own gas supply.''

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''Russia and China to drive the world oil market''

From Voice of Russia

''The global oil market is moving east, says a recent report by The Wall Street Journal Europe. The oil that Russia exports to China, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, India, Indonesia, the USA and Peru could set the world’s new oil price standard. China stands ready to service the global oil trade with its Yuan, heralding the beginning of the end for the “petrodollar” era.''

Russia and China are well positioned to help Asia's energy market to break the long standing link between crude oil and the dollar, by which the price has always been tied to American, Middle Eastern and European standards by an increasingly volatile dollar. In essence a new link is on the table: Russian ESPO oil tied to the Yuan, where the oil price will, for the first time be determined by a stable supply from East Siberia and the growing demand in Asian countries. The Chinese Yuan is therefore well placed to become the new oil currency.

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''EU wary of new Soviet empire in disguise''

From Public Service Europe

''Brussels officials besieged by the Eurosceptic press may be relieved to discover that for the first time they have a natural ally: Russian 'Eurocrats'. While currently more of a club than an aspiring federal government, there are already not far from a thousand Moscow-based 'Eurocrats' beavering away at what some suggest could be the next regional powerhouse: the Eurasian Economic Commission.''

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''Top secret nuclear sub used to prove North Pole claim''

From Barents Observer

''The submarine took part in the “Arctic-2012” expedition this autumn aimed at proving Russian ownership of the Mendeleyev ridge stretching across the East Siberia Sea towards the North Pole. Russia will use the data collected in its application to the UN Law of the Sea, that within the next few years will divide the continental shelf among the Arctic costal states, including the North Pole itself.''

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''Iraq's Weapons Deals with Russia Weaken American Role''

From Al Monitor

''Iraq's recent string of arms deals with Russia and the Czech Republic represent a low point in relations between Iraq and the US, writes Hassan Daoud. Iraqi officials privately criticze the US for imposing too many conditions on its arms deals, and for delays in delivering weapons.''

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