(Article changed on March 2, 2014 at 20:30)
Why
are we not surprised? The United States neconservative initiated
action in the Ukraine is backfiring. The head of the Ukrainian Navy,
Admiral Denis Berezovsky, just announced that the navy is now in the
service of the Crimean Autonomous Republic. (RT Video)
"I, Berezovsky
Denis, swear allegiance to the Crimean people and pledge to protect it,
as required by the [army] regulations. I swear to take orders of Crimea
and Sevastopol's Supreme Commander," Berezovsky said as seen in video footage. All
Navy troops dislocated in Sevastopol are ordered to disregard any
commands coming from Ukraine's new self-proclaimed authorities," the PM also declared. "Do not take any orders of using arms till my personal instructions." RT (Russia Today), Mar 2, 2014
With Crimea out of the question, there are only four regions of the Ukraine that offer access to the Black Sea, Odessa, Kherson, Zaporizhia, and Donet'z each more aligned with the Russian Federation than their parent country. That leaves the new government of the Ukraine virtually landlocked. It also raises questions about the remaining forces in the Ukraine military.
Will other forces mutiny? Will other forces follow orders by the self-proclaimed government of the Ukraine?
When you give Russia the opportunity to act like Russia, it will do so based on its best interests. On August 8, 2008, the colour revolution installed president of Georgia, Mikeil Saakashvili , decided to attack Russian troops in South Ossetia, a part of Georgia. The Russians were there legally, according to previous agreements, but the president decided to flex his muscles. He had "elite" Georgian troops attack. The Russians responded, siezed a number of key installations, and humiliated the Georgian military.
"The
Russian response to Georgia's attack on August 8 was predictable. They
have a number of vital interests in the region. The provocation by the
tiny Republic of Georgia was a gift. It created an opportunity to extend
Russian influence in response to an attack on their peace keeping
personnel. In retrospect, this outcome was probably guaranteed with the
installation of an intemperate, rash leader who received nothing but
praise as he replicated the policies and tactics of the corrupt regime
that he helped remove from power." Michael Collins, Sep 5, 2008
Ironically, the overwhelming Russian response was greatly enhanced by its naval presence in the Crimea.
Why would the provocations from the Ukraine work out differently?
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