Current Events and Links

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

Stratfor has 11 chilling predictions for what the world will look like in 10 years

Dec. 25, 2015 Strategic Forecasting (Stratfor) released its Decade Forecast earlier this year. Projections from this intelligence organization are highly respected. The report is not encouraging.

In many ways, Stratfor thinks the world a decade from now will be more dangerous place, with US power waning and other prominent countries experiencing a period of chaos and decline.

If Stratfor is correct, Russia will collapse, China will have economic problems, Europe will be divided, Turkey will gain prominence, and the U.S. will decline in power while trying to protect the world from the misuse of nuclear stockpiles that once belonged to Russia but have fallen into wrong hands.

Source: Business Insider

Decade Forecast 2015-2025 - Stratfor Global Intelligence

Prophetic Significance of Russia

Russia flies strategic space warfare missile

Dec. 7, 2015 - Russia has had a sucessful test of its Nudol anti-satellite missile. This capability could cripple US intelligence, navigation, and communications capabilities that are necessary for critical military and civilian operations.

Russia now joins China as the only nations with strategic space warfare weapons. In October, China conducted a flight test of its anti-satellite missile, the Dong Neng-3 direct ascent missile.

Source: Space Daily

Putin: Russia Has Weapons Capable of Penetrating Any Missile Defenses

Nov. 11, 2015 - President Vladimir Putin is opposed to the deployment of US missile defense systems in Europe.

"We have repeatedly said, we will work on the strike systems able to overcome any missile defenses," Putin said at a meeting on the situation in the Russian military-industrial complex.

Source: Sputnik

US updating nuclear arsenal to deter ‘Russian aggression’

Nov. 8, 2015 - U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter explained plans to deter Russia’s increased aggression.

Carter on Saturday accused Russia of endangering world order, citing its incursions in Ukraine and loose talk about nuclear weapons, and said the U.S. defense establishment is searching for creative ways to deter Russian aggressive and protect US allies.

He spoke of new drone technologies, a new long-range bomber, lasers, an electromagnetic railgun, and surprising new weapons he couldn't describe in public.

Source: Times of Israel

Russian plane crash in Egypt kills all 224 people aboard

Oct. 31, 2015 -

All 224 people aboard a Russian airliner were killed early Saturday when the Airbus A-321 crashed in Egypt's Sinai peninsula shortly after takeoff from a popular Red Sea resort town, officials say.

Source: USA Today

Coverage of Breaking News - Google

Officials: No evidence Islamic State brought down Russian plane - USA Today

Sinai plane crash: What we know - BBC

Putin's approval rating hits new historic high of almost 90%

Oct, 22, 2015 - The VTSIOM all-Russian public opinion research center announced that Vladimir Putin’s approval rating has set a new record at 89.9 percent.

The VTSIOM experts also wrote in their message that the high levels of approval of Putin’s work must be linked with recent events in Syria, where the Russian Air Force is conducting a successful campaign against Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS).

Source: RT

Hamas Asks Russia to Help Stop Israeli 'Aggression' Against Palestinians

Oct. 19, 2015 -

Hamas leader Khaled Meshal spoke with the Russian deputy foreign minister, who promised to take action against Israeli conduct, according to a statement released by the group.

Source:Haaretz

Russia warns Israel over jets detected near Syria–Lebanon border - i24

CIA-backed rebels, civilians reportedly targeted by Russian airstrikes in Syria

Oct. 10, 2015 - US officials claim that Russia's first airstrikes were in the areas where anti-Assad rebels--funded and trained by the CIA-- were located.

None of the four areas targeted by Russian planes Wednesday contained ISIS fighters and called Moscow's claim that it was helping the U.S.-led coalition defeat the terror group "baseless."

Source:Fox

Realtime Coverage of Russia/Syria Striles - Google

Russian airstrikes in Syria leave U.S. scrambling for response - CNN

Chinese warplanes to join Russian air strikes in Syria. Russia gains Iraqi air base - DEBKAfile

Update Oct. 5, 2015 - Turkey intercepts Russian jet in its air space - CNN

Syria crisis: Nato to discuss Russia air campaign - BBC

Krauthammer: Putin is ‘the luckiest Russian ever’ - Fox

Russia begins airstrikes in Syria; U.S. warns of new concerns in conflict

Sept. 30, 2015

In Washington, the dramatic escalation of Russia’s military involvement was viewed as an affront just two days after President Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin [discussed] means for negotiating the deep differences in their countries’ approaches to the conflict in Syria.

Source: Washington Post

Krauthammer on Russians targeting ISIS: ‘Everyone knows it is a lie’ - Fox

Franklin Graham: Russian Air Strikes May Prevent Christian Bloodbath - NewsMax

Russians tell US to remove warplanes from Syria as Putin gets go-ahead to send troops

Sept. 30, 2015 -

Russian diplomats sent an official demarche ordering U.S. planes out of Syria, adding that Russian fighter jets were now flying over Syrian territory. U.S. military sources told Fox News that U.S. planes would not comply with the Russian demand.

Russia's demand came just moments after Russian lawmakers formally approved a request from Putin to authorize the use of troops in Syria.

Source: Fox

Obama has turned Putin into the world’s most powerful leader - NY Post

Top NATO general: Russia building anti-access bubble over Syria - Jerusalem Post

Russian Flights Over Iraq and Iran Escalate Tension With U.S.

Sept. 14, 2015 - Russia is defying America's efforts to block military aid to Syria.

American officials disclosed Sunday that at least seven giant Russian Condor transport planes had taken off from a base in southern Russia during the past week to ferry equipment to Syria, all passing through Iranian and Iraqi airspace.

Source: NY Times

US and Russian Forces in Syria Aren’t Talking to Each Other - Defense One

Russian military build-up in Syria ‘unprecedented,’ officials say

Sept. 10, 2015 -U.S. officials are calling a Russian military build-up Syria "unprecedented."

Two U.S. officials who have reviewed the latest intelligence told Fox News that satellite imagery reveals more flights of massive Russian An-124 "condor" military cargo planes landing in Syria. They are offloading ... Russian marines, and armored vehicles.

Source:Fox News

'Strategic attraction': Russia cozies up to Iran - WND

Russia Expands Military Presence in Syria, Satellite Photos Show - Wall Street Journal

David Petraeus: Putin Trying to Rebuild Russian Empire Read Latest Breaking News from Newsmax.com http://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/david-petraeus-vladimir-putin-russia-empire/2015/09/22/id/692830/#ixzz3mcbimN29 Urgent: Rate Obama on His Job Performance. Vote Here Now! - NewsMax

Threat of war with major power ‘low, but growing,’ military strategy report warns

July 3, 2015 - According to the National Military Strategy for 2015, the U.S. not only faces the threat of insurgent groups in the Middle East, but must also be aware of the growing possibility of war with major powers like Russia, China, Iran and North Korea.

The report specifically talks about threats from North Korea, Iran, Russia and China, which has continued aggressive land grabs in the South China Sea that violate international law.

The report predicted that cyber-attacks from these sources will be “unpredictable, costly and difficult to control.”

Source: Washington Times

USA's new defense strategy names Russia, China, Iran and North Korea prime enemies - Pravda

Putin Biding His Time? Build-up of Tanks and Generals in Ukraine - Fox

Russia Says Iran Nuclear Deal Will Be Reached - Israel National News

Joint Chiefs nominee: Russia greatest threat to U.S. - CNN

US 'poised' to roll heavy weapons into E. Europe: report

June 14, 2015 - Because Russia has annexed Crimea and is threatening the rest of Ukraine, Washington is considering sending heavy weapons for up to 5,000 American troops in several Eastern European and Baltic countries.

The proposal, if approved, would be the first time since the end of the Cold War that the US has had heavy military equipment - including battle tanks - in newer NATO members that were once under Moscow's influence as part of the Soviet Union.

Source: Business Standard

US considers storing heavy weapons in Baltic and Eastern Europe – report - Russian Times

Report: Russia, China Have Edward Snowden Files, Exposing US, British Spy Operations Worldwide

June 14, 2015 - Because of computer files released by Edward Snowden, Britain has deemed it necessary to remove agents from live operations in "hostile countries."

Snowden downloaded more than 1.7 million secret files from security agencies in the United States and Britain in 2013, and leaked details about mass surveillance of phone and internet communications.

Source: NewsMax

Russia sets its sights on Middle East

Apr. 21, 2015 - After many years of U.S. involvement in Iraq, and Syria's long, devastating decline, Russia seemed to have lost its strong position in the Middle East. However, the decision to go ahead with sale of S-300 defensive missiles to Iran, signals its return to importance in the area. The billion-dollar deal will help Russia's economy. but Dmitri Trenin, director of the Carnegie Moscow Centre, said,

"Furthering relations with Iran is more important in the long term. . . With its relations with the West badly broken, Russia seeks to consolidate and expand its ties to major non-Western players."

Source: BBC

Russia and America: Stumbling to War - The National Interest

Putin’s Ukraine War Is About Founding a New Russian Empire

Apr. 7, 2015 - Russian President Vladimir Putin says that he “always saw the Russians and Ukrainians as a single people." It is apparent that his goal is to bring Ukraine back under the control of Russia. His actions against Chechnia in 1994, Georgia in 2008, and Crimea (part of Ukraine) last year, make it clear that he will not be satisfied until he reclaims Ukraine.

If no Ukrainian state has the right to exist, the entire settlement of 1989 to 1991 in Eastern Europe, and especially in the former Soviet Union, is illegitimate and a standing threat to the Russian state.

Source: NewsWeek

Russia threatens to use 'nuclear force' over Crimea and the Baltic states

Apr. 2, 2015 - At a recent meeting between Russian and US officials, Russia warned that if NATO moved forces into Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, the Russians would employ various responses, "from nuclear to non-military.”

The Russians told the meeting, which took place in Germany last month, that an attempt to return Crimea to Ukraine would be met “forcefully including through the use of nuclear force.”

Source: Independent - UK

Russian analyst urges nuclear attack on Yellowstone National Park and San Andreas fault

Mar. 31, 2015 - Konstantin Sivkov, president of the Academy of Geopolitical Problems based in Moscow, urged Russia to increase its military weapons and strategies against the "West." He said, that the best way to attack the United States would be to detonate nuclear weapons at the Yellowstone supervolcano or along the San Andreas fault line on California's coast.

Source: Sydney Morning Herald

Putin's nuclear threat: Russian leader nearly started World War Three over the Crimea war

Mar. 16, 2015 - According to a recently released taped interview, Russia's Vladimir Putin said he would have used nuclear weapons if necessary a year ago when he seized Crimea.

Source: Express - UK

Russia Launches Massive Military Drills in Show of Force Against West - NewsMax

Anti-Putin leader Boris Nemtsov fatally shot in Moscow

Feb. 28, 2015 -

Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, an outspoken critic of President Vladimir Putin, was shot and killed late Friday in the shadow of the Kremlin only two days before he was to speak at a major anti-government rally.

Nemtsov was shot four times in the back while walking across a bridge in central Moscow. Putin condemned the killing and took personal control of the investigation. According to Nemtsov's attorney, he had received threats on social networks, but authorities did nothing to protect him.

"President Obama called on Russia "to conduct a prompt, impartial, and transparent investigation."

Source: USA Today

Murdered critic's mom worried that Putin could have him killed - Fox

Boris Nemtsov murder prompts Putin 'justice' pledge - BBC

Update 3/12/15 - Nemtsov daughter: Putin 'politically' to blame for murder - BBC

Ukraine PM says cease fire non-existent, Putin on a larger mission

Feb. 22, 2015 -

Earlier this week, the Russia-backed separatists captured the key rail transportation city of Debaltseve, which was considered a crushing defeat for Ukraine and a sign the country was indeed on the verge of at least a military collapse.

According to Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk his country is not on the verge of a collapse, but the supposed cease-fire that went into effect a week ago is not being honored by rebels. He also said that Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to take over Ukraine and is supplying military assistance to the rebels. He also complained that the Western powers were not helping Ukraine upgrade its military capabilities.

Source: Fox

Report to Allege Direct Kremlin Link to Ukraine Invasion - Voice of America

Putin says Russia's military strength unmatchable: Interfax - Business Insider

Pro-Russian rebels force Ukrainian troops to retreat from railway hub, as Putin mocks cease-fire

Feb. 18, 2015 - Pro-Russian Ukrainian rebels dealt a "crushing defeat" to Ukraine military troops in one of their key cities.

Fierce fighting around the town of Debaltseve, through which railroads linking the two major separatist cities of Donetsk and Luhansk, had been raging for days despite a cease-fire deal brokered by European leaders and signed by Putin to take effect Sunday.

Meanwhile, Russian President Putin basically mocked the cease-fire agreement by remarking that, "Life is life. It'll surely go on."

Source: Fox

Ukraine Peace Talks Yield Cease-Fire Deal

Feb. 12, 2015 - After a marathon meeting between the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany, a compromise cease-fire agreement was finally forged to end the conflict between Ukraine and the Russia-backed separatists that has gone on for 10 months.

Both sides agreed to a cease-fire starting this Sunday. Further talks will be necessary to settle the issue. Forceful negotiating by Russia won the rebels the right to greater autonomy in their eastern Ukraine regions. Russia has not returned control to Ukraine over its border with the separatist regions.

Balazs Jarabik, representing the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, predicted that it will be a fragile agreement.

“The two main things that would elevate this from a truce to a peace deal have not been achieved: closing the border and creating separation between the forces with peacekeepers.”

Source: Wall Street Journal

Russia to help Egypt build ‘a whole new nuclear power industry’ – Putin

Feb. 10, 2015 - Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al Sisi in Cairo to announce “a memorandum of understanding to build the first nuclear plant in [the northern city of] El-Dabaa,”

"Russia has a significant experience that it could share with Cairo, and for that Egypt would be very thankful,” [Sisi] said. “Also, [a nuclear plant] will cover the Egypt’s necessity for electricity.”

Source: RT

Putin and Al-Sisi to reshape History and Egyptian-Russian Relations - NSNBC

Russia's Putin, Egypt's Sisi say committed to fighting terrorism - Reuters

1,500 Russian troops, military equipment enter Ukraine

Feb. 9, 2015 - Over the weekend some 1500 Russian soldiers and 300 pieces of military equipment entered Ukraine. The equipment included Grad missile systems and about 170 vehicles.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said the conflict in Ukraine will continue if rival groups there do not agree among themselves, in comments published ahead of a proposed summit with French, German and Ukrainian leaders.

Source: Times of Israel

US Concerned by Growing Expertise of China, Russia Space Capabilities - Space Daily

Ukraine conflict: Battles rage ahead of Minsk talks - BBC

4 world leaders aim to hold Ukraine talks

Feb. 8, 2015 - The leaders of Germany, Russia, Ukraine and France plan to meet together in Minsk, Belaruse on Wednesday to discuss how to resolve the crisis in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, an AP video shows:

Secretary of State John Kerry is denying that the United States and Europe are divided over how to respond to the crisis in Ukraine.

Source: USA Today

Ukraine crisis: Do not try to scare Putin, warns Merkel - Telegraph - UK

Report: Obama team considers arming Ukraine

Feb. 2, 2015 -

The New York Times reports that the Obama administration is "taking a fresh look" at the question of military aid to Ukraine in light of advances being made by Russian-backed separatists.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is in favor of providing defensive weapons to Ukraine forces. Susan E. Rice, the President's national security adviser, has been opposed to providing lethal assistance, but sources close to her say she is now willing to reconsider the issue. President Obama has not yet made a decision.

Source: USA Today

Ukraine rebel leader Zakharchenko 'to raise 100,000 men' - Many in Kiev are now concerned the Donetsk leader may be preparing the ground for major intervention from Ukraine's neighbour, Russia. - BBC

Iranian and Russian officials meet in Tehran to sign Defense pact against foreign meddling

Jan. 20, 2015 - Russian Defense Minister General Sergei Shoigu flew to Tehran yesterday to sign a mutual defense pact with Brigadier General Hosein Dehqan, the Islamic Republic's Defense and Armed Forces Logistics Minister said that the agreement would be a foundation of comprehensive military cooperation between the two countries in various spheres."

The Russian official was on an official state visit to Iran in order to highlight the two country's mutual commitment to insulate themselves from what they believe to be foreign meddling led by the US.

Source: Jerusalem Post

Sophisticated Russian S-400 missiles for Iran under new military pact, S-300s for Egypt, Syria, Hizballah - DEBKAFile

US and Russia in danger of returning to era of nuclear rivalry

Jan. 5, 2014 - The US has launched an experimental “blimp” over Washington to detect incoming cruise missiles, presumably from Russian nuclear-capable submarines, that have lately been making the trip across the Atlantic.

In the light of aggressive rhetoric from Moscow and the expiry of treaty-based restrictions, there is uncertainty over whether those missiles are now carrying nuclear warheads.

Source: Guardian - UK