Arctic Scramble: Russia to Flex Military Muscle in Far North

[unhappycamper]

http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/russian-president-vladimir-putin-plans-military-expansion-in-arctic-a-938387.html



A number of countries are lusting after untapped natural gas and oil believed to be hidden in the Arctic.

Arctic Scramble: Russia to Flex Military Muscle in Far North
December 11, 2013 – 12:47 PM

Russia is planning an increased military presence in the Arctic, as several countries increasingly eye the region as a potential boon for natural resources.

President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting of top military leaders on Tuesday that Russia was "intensifying the development of that promising region" and needs "every lever for the protection of its security and national interests there."

Earlier this year, Russia completed renovation of an abandoned airfield on the New Siberian Islands, and sent 10 warships and four icebreakers to beef up security there. Putin also said Russia would revamp a number of other Arctic military bases that had fallen into disrepair after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Tuesday that he would create a special military force dedicated to protecting Russian interests in the Arctic. Putin said earlier this week that Russia needs a greater military presence in the region to counter potential threats from the United States.

[Berlum]

1. Who gets to do the final fatal Planetary Hump+Pump-for-Profit in the Great White North?

the last insane ridiculous stupid suicidal idiotic lustful shameful wankish gambit for material power.

Who will be the lucky Pumper-Humper?

[burnsei sensei]

2. The only reason they're scrambling in the Arctic

is that they were effectively stopped from scrambling in the Caucasus.
A show of strength? Hardly.