Russian Bear Settling in the Middle East

If there was any doubt about Russia’s intentions Putin has made it crystal clear. The invasion of Georgia was just a minor step and the beginning of a new ‘Cold War’; a Cold War that could get hot very quickly.

Syria’s president Bashar al-Assad has invited Russian military to set up bases in Syria. The first step is a visit by Russia's only aircraft carrier, the 'Admiral Kuznetsov,' which will sail from Murmansk to the Syrian port of Tartus. The mission comes after Syrian President Assad said he is open for a Russian base in the area. The mission will also include the missile cruiser "Moskva" and several submarines.

A military agreement between Syria and Russia has grave implications for Israel and U.S. interests in the Middle East. Syria, supported by Iran and now Russia, supports Hizbollah, a disruptive force in Lebanon preparing for a war with Israel. The threat here is two fold. First it makes it that much more difficult for Lebanon to maintain its independence and secondly it puts a lot more military power at the disposal of Hizbollah. Israel, already at a military disadvantage, is now faced with a much stronger enemy.

The U.S. is the biggest and perhaps the only supporter of Israel. Russia’s actions leave us with only two options; stand up to Russia by getting the Ukraine, Georgia, and other former Soviet satellites into NATO and propping up Israel militarily or cave into Russia’s demands by not deploying the missile defense system in Eastern Europe, allow Russia to create puppet governments in its former Soviet States if Russia backs down from setting up military bases in Syria. Either scenario is not good. The former will put the world back on the path of the old Cold War the latter will weaken the U.S.’s influence for decades. Russia will not be satisfied with controlling just the sections of Georgia it has occupied. It will go for complete control of Georgia, the Ukraine, Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary and every country on its eastern borders.
Russia will be in the driver’s seat controlling the world oil supply which is the single biggest economic force today and for years to come. Russia controls the oil supplies for Eastern Europe and with its influence in the Middle East will be able to influence supplies to most of the world. Regardless of America’s reaction or lack there of to Russia’s expansion, we absolutely need to become petroleum self sufficient. It is imperative we drill, drill now and drill deep. Our economy is oil dependent and will be such for at least the next decade. We need to be in control of our own economy and therefore our destiny.