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| Reality check for Russian oil |
| 10.01.11 21:05 |
f.USSR |
| Moscow has pledged to sustain its crude oil production at high levels and increase exports. However, the economic model of the Russian oil sector still seems to remain largely export-oriented, while the government seemingly views it as a major cash-cow. |
| Sergei Blagov |
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| Soviet lessons from Afghanistan |
| 18.11.09 23:23 |
f.USSR |
| "We just need to be sure that the final result does not look like a humiliating defeat: to have lost so many men and now abandoned it all... in short, we have to get out of there." |
| BBC News |
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| Stall and spin in Russian air force reform |
| 22.08.09 22:41 |
f.USSR |
| In a series of interviews in August, the Russian Air Force (VVS) commander-in-chief, Colonel-General Aleksandr Zelin, outlined reform plans to enhance air power. He linked the reforms, including development of the new "S-500" air and space defense system, to the future "threat" posed by the United States′ activation in January of the US Air Force Global Strike Command - a new organization that brings nuclear and conventional strike systems under a single command. |
| Asia Times Online |
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| Role of Western structures in settlement of Abkhaz conflict |
| 21.07.09 15:16 |
f.USSR |
| One of the most important factors that influence the development of political processes in the Caucasus, in particular in Abkhazia is the geographical one. It is on the strength of this circumstance that Abkhazia has for centuries been involved in processes leading to conflicts of many great powers′ geopolitical aspirations. Greece, Persia, Rome, Byzantium, Iran, Turkey and Russia were the key players on this arena. While in the XIX cent. it was Turkey and Russia that fought for influence in the area, as soon as in the early XX cent. German and British troops arrived in Abkhazia. After the Russian Empire disintegrated in 1917, both Georgia and Abkhazia embarked on the path of shaping independent states. At the same time, Turkey and Germany stepped up their activity. In the words of General Anton Denikin, "mortal fear of a Turkish invasion" urged the Transcaucasian republics to federate. By that time, Germany had acquired a strategic vision of Georgia. |
| Sergei M. Shamba, doctor of science in history, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Abkhazia. |
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