Daily Archives: December 5, 2014

China’s top paper says West stoking extremism in Middle East | Reuters

December 5, 2014 By in China, Defense Policy, Foreign Policy, US Tags: , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment
English: Logo of the People's Daily 中文: 人民日报题字

English: Logo of the People’s Daily 中文: 人民日报题字 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This is a must-read article from Reuters, featuring a news story in People’s Daily, the official newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party.

via China’s top paper says West stoking extremism in Middle East | Reuters.

Interestingly, I was not able to access the People’s Daily Online nor China’s Global Times, this morning.

Personally, I think that the Chinese article raises a valid concern. Because Western leaders, like Obama, are afraid of the political backlash they do not use their own infantry but rely on proxy soldiers. Clearly arming the different splinter groups is a high risk strategy.

Let me turn this to an open question:

Surely, it would be more effective to use military forces from the G20 with UN support, rather than sponsoring splinter groups?

Thoughts?

Putin: Russia will never follow instructions from the West – English pravda.ru

December 5, 2014 By in Architecture, Politics, Russia Tags: , , , , , , 2 Comments

This is currently Pravda‘s most popular article, featuring Russian President Vladimir Putin annual address to the Federal Assembly in the St. George’s Hall of the Grand Kremlin Palace. It’s well worth a read. Check it out!

via Putin: Russia will never follow instructions from the West – English pravda.ru.

What’s interesting for me is to compare the viewpoints to mainstream Western media – the gap is enormous.

Personally, I struggle with the effectiveness of Western sanctions on Russia – the sanctions are damaging both Russia and Europe – sanctions will weaken the chances of a diplomatic solution.

I also worry about the risk of war by accident, following a rogue event.

Thoughts?