"We are striving to have the international community support the peace process and make it irrevocable"

What peace process? Oh that one--- uh ha, ya sure

Posted by: Mackie at February 27, 2007 8:50 AM

Russia, like most of the West, suffers from poor leadership. If I were Russian I'd be disgusted, considering all the "blessings" Islam has bestowed upon that country, such as Beslan. No wonder defeating the enemy is almost impossible-at the right time and with the right party Islamania always catches a break and lives another day.

Posted by: ISLAMSFORLOSERS at February 27, 2007 8:53 AM

Russians love to kiss Muslim butt..

Posted by: exsgtbrown at February 27, 2007 9:07 AM

wrong.

Russia knows exactly what it is doing. it is using every opporunity to weaken the US (and Israel). they will go to bed with any thug regime to these ends, hell our CIA did the same thing against the USSR.

when America is weakened, Russia will continue it's hardline policy against eastern Europe and the Baltics. it will not allow the islamists to thrive near it's borders but in the meantime, "the enemy of my enemy" prevails.

it is our government that is too stupid or PC to see this and to take action against it. the entire world is playing a mortal game against the US. the islamists, China, Russia, Iran, N Korea, the EU and the UN would all like to see the US weakened, even destroyed. i don't know of a scarier scenario for our own survival than that which is being played out today yet our elected leadership plays only politics. we are losing.

Posted by: viahj at February 27, 2007 9:22 AM

The old USSR didn't understand Islam by the time of the Afghan disaster. Today, in Russia with 10 - 15% practicing Sunni, again allowed to rediscover their texts after being put down and controlled during the iron fisted Soviet days, there is a poisonous brew that's coming of age. It's going to get really ugly in Russia and extremely dangerous as we see in every other example in the Modern World when "muslim critical mass" is reached. The little Hitler in Iran is scary -- just wait until enough of the Sunnis in Russia get serious about their religion. If they haven't already.

Posted by: Abraham_Lincoln at February 27, 2007 9:31 AM

viahj,

I'd hardly call wikipedia a reliable source, but nonetheless, a quick read of their Islam in Russia section, particularly the "Islam Today" section, will serve as primer for future reading. Russia is in a lot more future trouble than just about anybody:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_in_Russia

Posted by: Abraham_Lincoln at February 27, 2007 9:38 AM

Meanwhile the population of Russia goes down, and the Muslim population booms -- not least in Moscow itself. And everyone pretends this is not a problem, because, just like the French who complacently believed that "we know the Arabs" the Russians think, because of their experience in Soviet Asia, that "we know the Muslims" or "we can handle the Muslims" or "our Muslims are not like MIddle Eastern Muslims." Perhaps, after the Soviet repression, including the destruction of thousands of mosques, those Central Asian Muslims were for a time quiescent.

But are the Russified elites of Central Asia, thoroughly secular, Muslims-for-identification-purposes Muslims if that, representative, or rather a special case that, save in Kazakhstan, are unlikely to prevail? And what about those Muslims outbreeding the non-Muslims all over not only the Caucasus, but deep into historical Russia itself?

Why does the Russian government think it will not have a problem? What does it intend to do about that problem, other than appease and support the Arabs outside of Russia, in their Lesser Jihad against Israel -- in other words, in continuing the nonsensical policies of the Soviet past?

Perhaps it is merely a case of mental exhaustion and inertia. We used to support the PLO. Abbas got his degree at MGU. So we will continue to support, in effect, the PLO, whatever its current name is.

In the same way, the American government for the last five years has been suckered by the Pakistani government, partly because for decades the Pakistani generals were our friends, just like the Saudis -- both of them were "bulwarks against Communism." Seeing them as something else takes quite a while, a lot of evidence to the contrary, before thick skulls in Washington get the point, or are retired or removed, so that others, without such a parti pris, more mentally agile, more willing to consider the overwhelming force of Islam in molding the minds of Muslims, can replace the yesterday's men imcapable of dealing with today's, or foreseeing tomorrow's, trouble.

Posted by: Hugh at February 27, 2007 9:51 AM

How many native speakers of Russian will be left in 2020? In 2050? I wonder if Putin, that philistine, cares. What does the word "Russia" mean to him? To other members of the KGB, or the FSB, or whatever it now calls itself? One used to think that, at least, their authorititarianism was based on Russian nationalism, on a wounded national pride and a desire to recover for the nation power and even glory. But is it? Or are they simply grasping at the gold, like those privatizers and privateers they pretend to deplore, but really only wish to replace?

Posted by: Hugh at February 27, 2007 10:15 AM

I wonder if this has anything to do with the upcoming meeting with the pope in March.

Putin has expressed a desire to “pursue a constructive political dialogue” with the Vatican. Obviously the meeting is not for 'spiritual' benefit. I wonder what message the pope is passing on to Putin/Russia and what sort of communication has been taking place between the Vatican and arab palestinians.

Russia is no friend of the United States or Israel and this is no more apparent than with their recent arming of Syria to the teeth.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/828914.html

Russia is determined to cause the United States and Israel as many problems as possible in the ME. They always have and always will suck up to the Arabs to cause problems for the US. This is nothing new really.

http://worldpoliticswatch.com/article.aspx?id=582

All of this makes me sick.

Posted by: The Goobs at February 27, 2007 3:07 PM

Let the world at large know about these sneaky f$%king Russians. Digg it.

http://digg.com/world_news/Russia_working_to_end_sanctions_on_Hamas_Fatah_Unity_Terror_Government

Posted by: Professor PyroSkank at February 27, 2007 4:09 PM

"Russia knows exactly what it is doing. it is using every opporunity to weaken the US (and Israel). they will go to bed with any thug regime to these ends, hell our CIA did the same thing against the USSR.

when America is weakened, Russia will continue it's hardline policy against eastern Europe and the Baltics. it will not allow the islamists to thrive near it's borders but in the meantime, "the enemy of my enemy" prevails.”

Quite right, viahj and I invite every single one of you reading this thread to peruse the linked document in this post. All of you may be in for a serious surprise as to how deep the ties are between Islamic terrorism and Communist Russia of old or even today's modern Russia.

Russia, along with communist China and France, continue to triangulate against America at every opportunity. Few people fully comprehend the communist’s role in the rise of Islamic terrorism. Communist Russia is almost single-handedly responsible for the Muslim terror attacks that we experience today. This Cold War triangulation has now evolved into the massive ideological threat that we currently face, but the vast majority was and continues to be driven by Russia’s desire to attain political ascendancy.

Putin’s cupidity knows no bounds. Even the Beslan atrocity could not serve to sway his steadfast support for nations that sponsor terrorism. Russia’s role in propelling Iran into the Nuclear Club must stand as a glaring case of intentionally destabilizing a critical region (i.e., the oil patch), towards the end of thwarting American interests and threatening our national security. That such a maneuver has also led to America being bled dry by our incursion into Iraq merely ices the cake for these duplicitous connivers.

Those who advocate appeasing Russian goals and interests should carefully reconsider such a dubious strategy. Little has changed since the Soviet Union’s collapse save that Russia’s military vulnerability has made it even more rapacious in its pursuit of regional dominance. Below are excerpts from the “Global Politician” website’s detailed article regarding Communist Russia’s role as midwife to Islamic terrorism. If you currently support American rapprochement with Putin, I invite you to read it and see if it does not change your opinion 180 degrees. Please recall that Putin is a dyed-in-the-wool KGB – GRU man and cannot but embody everything Soviet Russia originally sought.

Roots of Islamic Terrorism: How Communists Helped Fundamentalists

Antero Leitzinger - 9/11/2006

(Link: http://www.globalpolitician.com/articledes.asp?ID=2141&cid=11&sid=64)

The man chiefly responsible for exporting Palestinian terrorism was Wadi Haddad, deputy leader of the PFLP, recruited as agent "Natsionalist" by the KGB in 1970. Andropov revealed his aims in a report to Brezhnev himself: "The nature of our relations with W. Haddad enables us to control the external operations of the PFLP to a certain degree, to exert influence in a manner favorable to the Soviet Union and also to carry out active measures in support of our interests through the organization's assets while observing the necessary conspirational secrecy." (Andrew & Mitrokhin, p. 380)

The once fashionable airplane hijackings had been begun by the PFLP in July 23rd, 1968. At that time, the Soviet Union, having supported the establishment of Israel and armed its forces 20 years earlier, had already invested a lot of resources into the Palestinian cause and Arab Socialism. Arms had been initially smuggled through Egypt. (Barron, p. 77)

"By the summer of 1968, the Soviet Union had progressed far toward converting Egypt into its principal base of subversion against the Arab world." (Barron, p. 62) Thirty-three years later, Egypt was the principal base of Islamic terrorists. Soviet Union, however, failed in Egypt. In May 1971, Anwar Sadat wiped out most of KGB agents. In July 1972, Soviet advisors were expelled from Egypt. Eight years later, Sadat paid for this with his life, being assassinated by members of an Islamist group. Sadat's peace policy toward Israel made it easy for the remnants of the KGB network to ally with the right-wing Muslim Brotherhood. This is the background of Ayman az-Zawahiri, the second man of al-Qayda.

Yasser Arafat's al-Fatah organization received its first Soviet arms shipment in September 1972. Palestinians were, however, split into pro-Iraqi and pro-Syrian parties and factions. Although both Iraq and Syria were ruled by an Arab Socialist Baath party, and extremely friendly toward the Soviet Union after the end of 1950s, the deepening friction between these two Arab states cut through the Palestinians, and frustrated Soviet efforts to unite Arabs against Israel and the western world.

Posted by: Zenster at February 27, 2007 4:35 PM

Jihadists are threatening - whom?

If you were following Russian information closer, you would discover that Chechen terrorists were consistently steering clear of any expensive restaurant, premium appartment block, bath house or balet where they can accidently kill someone close to power. They inflicted zero damage on the ruling elite so far, consistently choosing low class or poor and uninfluential parts of intelligencia.

So Russian elite is in bed with those who kill its citisents - what's new in that? Nothing but the "Back to the USSR"

Posted by: Terry Crane at February 27, 2007 4:55 PM

Mashaal Demands Jiziyah, Threatens Terror & “Open Battle” With Israel

http://sheikyermami.com/2007/02/27/mashaal-demands-jiziyah-threatens-terror-open-battle-with-israel/

Posted by: sheik yer'mami at February 27, 2007 5:19 PM

I know that there is a lot of residual hostility towards Russia from its time as the successor state of the "Evil Empire". Say what you want about the "siloviki", KGB types and friends of Putin mostly from the KGB and St. Petersburg, that now control the government and their ties with the Oligarchs. The Kremlin feels that with high oil prices that they are strong again. "We have some things to teach the US about economics." I forget what Russian minister in Putin's cabinet said this, I believe it was Ivanov, but this irrational sense of strength is being played out when Russia is starting to put it's fingers into everyone's pies. Russia is starting to give aid in Africa and Latin America again for leverage against American power, while Russian hospitals, schools, and orphanages fall into disrepair. The Russian government does not care for its own people. Beslan, Nord Ost, and Kursk are just the most salient and headline grabbing examples.

But having met many Russians, they seem to know what is up, but are too busy trying to make ends meet or have fallen for "image", a word that has been imported and describes style over substance. Many, particularly the younger generation, have told me that the Russian government does not care for them, but mistakenly feel that the Russian people will still survive. Sorry, I am not optimistic. Many older people tell me they fear for the future, that there will be no Russians, just foreigners and Muslims.

Many want change, but with Putin's "Operation Successor" in full swing to anoint the new president amongst his close-knit cronies, expect more Russian bellicosity.

I have a feeling that many Kremlinologists will be coming out of retirement for the relapse of Russia

Note that Putin and co. are strong supporters of the Muslim world (from an article from December 2005):
http://www.mosnews.com/news/2005/12/12/muslimfriend.shtml

First two paragraphs

"Russia is the most reliable partner of the Islamic world and most faithful defender of its interests, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in Chechnya’s capital Grozny. Putin unexpectedly visited the war-ravaged republic to speak in the local parliament that opened for its first sitting on Monday.

“Russia has always been the most faithful, reliable and consistent defender of the interests of the Islamic world. Russia has always been the best and most reliable partner and ally. By destroying Russia, these people (terrorists) destroy one of the main pillars of the Islamic world in the struggle for rights (of Islamic states) in the international arena, the struggle for their legitimate rights,” Putin was quoted by Itar —Tass as saying, drawing applause from Chechen parliamentarians"

Posted by: npabga at February 27, 2007 6:13 PM

exsgtbrown wrote:
"Russians love to kiss Muslim butt"

An American throwing stones in glass houses there. 'Vital' US allies during the cold war and still today - Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. The Afghan Islamists who fought against and eventually destroyed the secular Soviet-backed regime there were supported and armed by the US.

Posted by: schmegel at February 27, 2007 8:08 PM

viahj wrote:
"the entire world is playing a mortal game against the US. the islamists, China, Russia, Iran, N Korea, the EU and the UN would all like to see the US weakened, even destroyed."

Judging by this statement, it appears that for many American right-wingers it is not the Jihad that is the problem. It is the entire world outside their little bible-belt villages! There is a medical term for this.

Posted by: schmegel at February 27, 2007 9:07 PM

Judging by this statement, it appears that for many American right-wingers it is not the Jihad that is the problem. It is the entire world outside their little bible-belt villages! There is a medical term for this.
Posted by: schmegel

Sure is foggy tonight eh schmegel?!

Posted by: Davegreybeard at February 28, 2007 12:04 AM

..Russians have never been "vital allies," during WWII, the Americans helped arm the Russians, who were attacked by the stupid Germans. Germany had signed a non aggression pact with the Russians, had Germany not attacked Russia, it is unlikely the Russians would have fought the Germans...America armed the Russians, conceding this action would probably hasten the end of WWII, and it did...Immediately after WWII, Russia sealed off its borders, in effect, creating the "steel curtain."..A couple of years later, the Russians began arming and supplying the North Koreans. A significant number of American deaths can be attributed to Russian weapons. During the following decades, deaths continued to be caused by Russian weapons across several insurgencies and uprisings...When Vietnam became an Issue, once again Russian Weapons surfaced and more deaths occurred. As always the Russians were the first to introduce weapons to the fighters or insurgents.

.....It is true the US did arm the Afgan Insurgents, but it was a case of the US trying to preserve the Muslims homeland from an Invading force,(at the time, the Muslims were not attacking the Western world with the earnest in which it is attacking today) the same reason the US armed the South Koreans,The South Vietnamese, Japan, and other countries across the Globe. The Muslims never thanked the US for helping them Rid their country of the Russian invaders. The US has never been a Country of land conquest for the purposes of owning the land unlike the Russians who have seized whole countries for domination. The desire to rule the world still remains a Russian Desire, this is why you see the Russians continually arming all the terrorists and sub human cults it can...Let the terrorists whittle down America. At some point of time in the future, the Russians will make a move...Just recently, the Russians have been moving massive missile batteries towards their European borders. The Russians have been silently beefing up their troop capabilities near the European and their southern borders....They have been arming Iran and have increased shipping and rail shipments of weapons and missiles and anti missile technologies to IRan...

....Big things coming soon from Iran and the Russian "vital allies"....

l...I may be "An American throwing stones in glass houses there"...but the Russians will be throwing much worse....

Posted by: exsgtbrown at February 28, 2007 6:57 AM

NOt to foget...the Russians have opposed virtually every NATO initiative or proposal to combat some insurgency or uprising that comes across NATOs attention...combine their opposition to peace initiatives with their desire to arm every worthless terrorist will enshrine them in the "worthless ally" hall of fame....

Posted by: exsgtbrown at February 28, 2007 7:44 AM

Perhaps Putin doesn't recognize the ideological link between Palestinians and the Chechens because we told them there was none. How many years did we oppose their struggle with the Chechens and deny their al Qaeda links, despite all evidence?

No wonder Russia pisses on us.

Posted by: Ibn_Iblis at March 1, 2007 2:29 PM