Today, the 8 May 2009 marks the 64th anniversary of my country’s (i.e. Norway’s) liberation from five years’ German wartime occupation, reminding us how fragile a country’s freedom actually is – of which we are constantly informed, through perpetual global unrest.

We were all shocked and appalled as Russian forces poured into Georgian South [...]]]>

Today, the 8 May 2009 marks the 64th anniversary of my country’s (i.e. Norway’s) liberation from five years’ German wartime occupation, reminding us how fragile a country’s freedom actually is – of which we are constantly informed, through perpetual global unrest.

We were all shocked and appalled as Russian forces poured into Georgian South Ossetia – and well into the very heart of the country – last August, threatening to occupy the young nation in the long haul.

Allegations would have it that Georgian forces themselves provoked the invasion in their search for South Ossetian insurgents, that Georgia’s president Mikheil Saakashvili indeed wanted the invasion, as a means to prove a point – the urgency of a Georgian NATO membership, perhaps. Whatever the case: South Ossetia remains Georgian territory,which entails a violation on Russia’s part, of Georgia’s internationally acknowledged sovereignty. So much for indisputable facts we’d be hard pressed to contradict. And how can you not sympathise with the offended president? I know I did.

Bur that was then.

Seeing how civil dismay in Georgia has increased gradually since, and how president Saakashvili himself came out during these last days’ disturbances, you just can’t help noticing how increasingly similar to his old counterpart, Vladimir Putin, he appears to be – in behaviour.

Bearing last year’s accusations in mind, that Georgia’s provocation was indeed intended, a pattern is about to emerge, very clearly demonstrated in Saakashvili’s obviously staged rebuke of the overly ashamed troops in the Mukhrovani military base, whence an alleged attempt at a coup d’etat was instigated. Alleged being the key word, as Saakashvili’s proofs appeared too numerous, much too prepared, included, even video footage:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxpYJs6RXvs

Hmm… A very carefully directed cry for help from the president in his hour of need, as civil support plummets, don’t you find?

Saakashvili may find it a lot harder to earn sympathy this time, though. He had George W. Bush jr., an avid supporter, to lean on last year, for one. Add to that the European countries’ lowered patience with Saakashvili’s obvious misconduct. If it hadn’t been for fear of letting Russia dictate NATO decisions, the NATO exercises currently taking place in Georgia, planned ahead of last year’s Russian invasion, might never have taken place.

I don’t want to come across as overly anxious, but having said that – in light of my country’s 64th liberation anniversary – there’s every reason to worry over Russia’s growing hostility towards the West. But that’s a different cup of tea altogether, which I’ll make sure to revisit on an appropriate occasion. However, from the archives:

• US-Russian talks on nuclear reductions – 1 April 2009
• Russia flexing muscles – 12 October 2008
• Freezing cold – 22 September 2008
• Should we prepare for a Soviet reunion? – iNorden, 16 August 2008
• Hello, cold war 2 – iNorden, 11 August 2008
• A dangerous neighbourhood – iNorden, 10 August 2008
• Nordic Countries Remain Indifferent to Russian Election – iNorden, 3 March 2008
• You.have.to.get.rid.of.that.man! – iNorden, 14 December, 2007
• Sweden Prepared to Defend Norway – iNorden, 6 December 2007
• Russisk splitt og hersk – (in Norwegian) 25 March 2009
• NATO: Gjensidig forsvar eller verdenspoliti? – (in Norwegian) 17 March 2009

Oh yes, I’m a certified warmonger, but honestly; continuing more or less without an effective defence, as Norway currently does, has me slightly worried.

Meanwhile, a happy 8 May to my fellow countrymen.

Late edit: Before long (a day upon publishing this post) the Russians were at it again (in Norwegian).

Photo: Georgia’s president Mikheil Saakashvili. Photographer: Sebastian Zwez/Wikimedia Commons

Well I’ll be damned. I know it’s 1 April, and that it’s almost too good to be true, but you never know with the new American administration, now do you… I’m talking about The Washington Post’s breaking news today, that Russia and the USA have agreed [...]]]>

Well I’ll be damned. I know it’s 1 April, and that it’s almost too good to be true, but you never know with the new American administration, now do you… I’m talking about The Washington Post’s breaking news today, that Russia and the USA have agreed to start talks in order to reduce the number of nuclear warheads.

President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev were set to announce the talks on Wednesday during their first meeting, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said in London, site of the G20 summit. Both countries want to reduce the number of warheads, but no firm number has been reached.

According to The Post.

Not sure what to expect from this, though. As you will understand, I have my doubts.

It’s almost as if I hear words such as SALT and START again. Never heard of, you say? You’re probably way too young.

Perhaps I’d better go and consult the calendar again?

Man, how I sometimes miss the good old days:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTstgN8ReTo

Ah… Story also covered in Norwegian Dagbladet.no (in Norwegian, of course). They certainly took their time, but we’re not being April fooled, then, obviously.

Photo: Russian bomber and Norwegian F16 off the coast of Norway (Royal Norwegian Airforce)

I know that I’ve touched on the subject more than once, but this is serious business, boys and girls. Only weeks ago, Russia deployed warships to Venezuelan waters, doing all they can in order to build up the already sharpened east-west tension. More recently – today, to be precise – long-range [...]]]>

I know that I’ve touched on the subject more than once, but this is serious business, boys and girls. Only weeks ago, Russia deployed warships to Venezuelan waters, doing all they can in order to build up the already sharpened east-west tension. More recently – today, to be precise – long-range missiles were testfired north of Japan and off the Norwegian coast, all reaching their targets inside Russia, or as president Dmitry Medvedev, according to Reuters, put it:

“I have just been told that the dummy warhead has landed in Kura,” continuing:

“We will continue to commission new types of weapons but we will also continue testing the ones we have now,” he said. “Their effectiveness has been proved by time. Our shield is fine.”

Officially the tests come in response to the US global missile defence system, which may well be true, but Russia’s recent strategies bear witness of a military build-up resembling cold war times.

I hate to say so, but rethinking our defence policy is crucial, even if the financial situation tells us not to.

What’s wrong with this (above) picture, by the way? Well, you didn’t really think Medvedev’s in charge, now did you? He’s merely substituting as president, the poor sod, while the czar has a few year’s primeministerial vacation, still pulling the string – until he’s electable once more.

God, I feel like such a war-monger.

I wrote an article on the return of the cold war over at iNorden some time ago, even though the matter has had me worried for quite some time, really, and honestly, recent developments give plenty of cause for concern. In today’s New York Times there’s

I wrote an article on the return of the cold war over at iNorden some time ago, even though the matter has had me worried for quite some time, really, and honestly, recent developments give plenty of cause for concern. In today’s New York Times there’s a brief account on Russia’s deployment of warships in South American waters, we’re beginning to get an impression of what’s actually taking place:

The convoy – including the nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser Peter the Great and the anti-submarine ship Admiral Chabanenko – left the fleet’s base in Severomorsk bound for the Venezuelan coast, where the ships will take part in joint maneuvers with the Venezuelan Navy sometime in November, said Igor Dygalo, a Russian Navy spokesman.

And:

[...] Last week, two Russian Tu-160 strategic bombers flew to Venezuela for exercises over the Caribbean Sea, and a Russian delegation led by Igor I. Sechin, a deputy prime minister and chairman of the Russian oil company Rosneft, visited Caracas and Havana for talks on expanding economic ties. It was Mr. Sechin’s second visit to the region in less than two months.

If you mean to tell me that we haven’t seen the return of the cold war, I’m afraid you’ll find it difficult to persuade me.

[...] The decision to deploy Russian warships so close to the American coastline could also be linked to the Kremlin’s frustration over the presence of NATO and American naval vessels in the Black Sea, a region Moscow considers its sphere of influence. Earlier this month, an American naval ship delivered humanitarian aid to Georgia in one of the country’s Black Sea ports.

The Russians may well be right in claiming that this is nothing to do with the recent conflict with Georgia (and, therefore, with the West). If it does not, it only means that the Russians were about to build up military strength anyway, including a very harsh tone against the EU and, especialy, the USA.

Not sure if that’s more reassuring.

We’ve had Russian bombers and warships patroling just outisde Norwegian waters for the last year or so, and I have to tell you: Those of us who experienced the cold war up close aren’t too comfortable with current goings on.

It would seem that Norwegian media have picked up on the issue (in Norwegian), too. Being among Russia’s closest neighbours just isn’t very fun these days.