Current Events and Links

See also:
War of Gog and Magog
The New Cold War

FBI breaks up alleged Russian spy ring in deep cover

Jun. 29, 2010 - Ten people have been arrested on charges of spying or money laundering. The suspects are characterized as a "long term, deep cover" network of Russian agents. They spent years adopting American identities and gathering information about nuclear weapons, the gold market, and personnel changes at the CIA.

The FBI claims that the group was sent by the Russian intelligence service to live in the US under false names.

The FBI alleges that the accused spies were able to get close to a scientist working with "bunker-buster" nuclear bombs and a New York financier with powerful political ties. But the intercepts do not suggest they were successful at uncovering valuable information.

Source: The Guardian - UK

11th suspect arrested in alleged Russian spy ring - Xinhuane

Russia plays down US spy arrests - BBC

Arrests of alleged spies: 'Cold War never ended' - WTOP News Radio

The Dismantling of a Suspected Russian Intelligence Operation - Stratfor

Russia to Help Spur New Economic Order, Medvedev Says

June 19, 2010 - According to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev says that Russia will use tax incentives and other free-market economic policies to turn the country into a destination for innovators from around the world.

The government will abolish taxes on capital gains from long-term direct investments starting next year, seeking to lure funds to reduce the economy’s energy dependence and subdue speculative capital, Medvedev said.

Medvedev asked billionaire Viktor Vekselberg, owner of Renova Group, to develop a Russian version of Silicon Valley in the Moscow suburb of Skolkovo. Investors will be enticed by tax breaks and other incentives to spur innovation and production of high-technology products.

Source: Bloomberg Businessweek

Medvedev Pushes Ruble Reserve Currency to Cut Dollar Dominance - Bloomberg Businessweek

From June, 2009 - Medvedev Shows Off Sample Coin of New ‘World Currency’ at G-8 - Bloomberg Businessweek

Picture on Drudge Report - Today only

Russia President: We Will Continue Nuclear Weapon Development

Dec. 24, 2009 - The U.S. and Russia are working towards a nuclear arms reduction agreement, but Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said that the country will continue to develop its own strategic offensive nuclear weapons even after signing the document.

"We will continue developing new systems, including delivery vehicles. That is normal. The rest of the world is doing it," the president continued.

Source: Novinite

Russia to develop new nuclear missiles - al Alam

Along the Russian-Georgian border, war games or prelude to war?

June 30, 2009 - Russia is conducting its biggest post-Soviet army military exercises in the mountainous borderlands where they invaded South Ossetia last August. Some analysts think that the war games are a test for President Barack Obama, who arrives in Moscow for talks next Monday.

Georgia has denounced the Kavkaz-2009 games, which feature 8,500 troops and 200 tanks, as “pure provocation” and a possible prelude to renewed hostilities.

Source:Christian Science Monitor

'Catastrophic crisis' facing Russian army
Could lead to use of nuclear weapons

June 24, 2009 - Nikolai Makarov, Russia's Chief of the General Staff, warns that Russia's military is aging and unmotivated. It is on the verge of a "catastrophic crisis" and if forced into action would be much more likely to use strategic nuclear weapons.

In addition, Makarov said the Russian air force is not procuring sufficient numbers of new modern aircraft and has fewer flight-worthy aircraft with badly trained pilots incapable of conducting actual combat operations.

Source: Joseph Farah's G2 Bulletin - WorldNetDaily

Vladimir Putin faces rising anger from within Russian army

Feb. 25, 2009 - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is being criticized by a growing number of citizens and even military personnel.

The former KGB officer has nearly quadrupled the defense budget to £22 billion this year and has unveiled plans for an additional £130 billion cash injection over the next decade.

However, living conditions are poor for most military personnel.

Source: Telegraph - UK

Is Russia Punishing Ukraine?

Jan 10, 2009 - Russia is trying to regain its role as a world power by exerting control over former Soviet countries. As an example of this pressure, Russia has shut off Ukraine's natural gas. Russia claims it is about a pricing dispute, but some see it as an effort to punish Ukraine for moving in a pro-Western direction.

Source: CBN