Current Events and Links

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

See later Articles: after Dec. 31, 2008

US warns Russia against selling missiles to Iran

Dec. 23, 2008 - State Department spokesman Robert Wood told reporters that the U.S. wants clarification from Russia about reports that Russia is selling advanced surface-to-air missiles to Iran.

The U.S. insists such a move could threaten American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Source: MyWay

Russia to get 70 nuclear missiles in 3 years

Dec. 22, 2008 - Russia plans to spend $141 billion on new weapons over the next three years, including the production of 70 strategic nuclear missiles.

The statement by Vladislav Putilin, a deputy head of the Cabinet's military-industrial commission in charge of weapons industries, indicates the government's intention to significantly increase the tempo of rearming Russia's Strategic Missile Forces.

Source: Jerusalem Post

Russian push on treason raises fears

Dec. 21, 2008 - A new law is being considered in Russia that would expand the definition and punishment of treason. Adopting this law would severely limit media and civic freedoms, and would contribute to the consolidation of power under Vladimir Putin, the former Russian president who is now prime minister. Critics say this law could lead to the return of the Soviet-era practice of prosecuting government critics as traitors.

Source: International Herald Tribune

Russia plans 'liquidation' of ministries

Dec. 11, 2008 - According to the website of the Russian Ministry of Justice, there are plans to "liquidate" 56 religious organizations in Russia, including World Vision, Youth With A Mission, A Russian branch of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and three regional districts of the "Russian Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists," the Assemblies of God, and others.

The pressure on evangelical groups is coming from a combination of resurging Russian hatred for the West, and pressure from Orthodox churches to ban outside organizations.

Source: WorldNetDaily

Russia building missiles to counter US space defences: military

Dec. 3, 2008 - Russia is preparing to deploy their new RS-24 intercontinental missiles. The US space-based missile defence system plans to park weapons in space, but the flight pattern of this new Russian missile will be outside of the range of these weapons.

Source: Space War

Russian leader visits Venezuela in show of defiance

Nov. 26, 2008 -Russian President Dmitry Medvedev visited Venezuela today. It was the first visit by a Russian head of state to the South American country. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez welcomed him, and together they signed a nuclear energy deal.

The nuclear deal coincides with joint Russian-Venezuelan naval exercises about to begin in the Caribbean, which Washington dismissed as insignificant.

Source: AFP

Russian Professor Says U.S. Will Break Up After Economic Crisis

Nov. 24, 2008 - Igor Panarin, a professor at the diplomatic academy of Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs predicts that the U.S. economic crisis will cause the country to break into six regions.

Panarin said in the interview that the financial crisis will worsen, unemployment will rise and people will lose their savings -- factors that will cause the country’s breakup.

He says that once the nation discovers that President-Elect Obama can't really work miracles economic problems will escalate.

Source: Bloomberg

Russia to deploy new nuclear missile

Oct. 10, 2008 - A senior Russian defense official said his country hopes to deploy a new submarine-launched nuclear missile next year.

President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin have both pledged to extend Russia's recent military build-up with extra funds to buy new, high-tech arms.

Source: International Center on Conflict and Negotiation

US and Russia scrap nuclear pact after Moscow agrees to send warships to Venezuela

Sept. 9, 2008 - The US responded quickly to a Russian announcement that they would send a nuclear cruiser and other warships and planes to the Caribbean for joint exercises with Venezuela. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice countered by announcing that the US will not go forward at this time with an exchange of nuclear technology with Russia.

"We make this decision with regret," Miss Rice said in a statement. "Unfortunately, given the current environment, the time is not right for this agreement."

Source:Telegraph - UK

US condemns Russia over Georgia

Sept. 4, 2008 - In Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, US Vice-President Dick Cheney said that Russia's "illegitimate" attempt to change Georgia's borders last month casts doubt on Russia's reliability as an international partner.

The US has committed a billion dollars to help rebuild Georgia, and backs their efforts to join Nato.

Source: BBC

Newcomer Palin Fights Off Critics, Mocks Obama - Fox

New Russian world order: the five principles

Sept. 3, 2008 - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev names five principles that will guide Russian foreign policy. These do not appear to promote a new "Cold War," but indicate Russia's desire to defend their national interests in cooperation with other world powers. Here are the five principles:

1. International law

2. Multi-polar world

3. No isolation

4. Protect citizens

5. Spheres of influence

Source: BBC