NationStates Jolt Archive


Russia, USA, Canada go for Black Gold

The PeoplesFreedom
02-08-2007, 05:11
Link. (http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/08/01/arctic.grab.ap/index.html)
Russia goes to increase her economical status. It seems that she does not care for any environmental hazards to come from it. Thoughts, comments?
Andaluciae
02-08-2007, 05:34
Just another Putin Power Play (c), an attempt to expand Russian influence in places where the big bear should not be sticking his nose.
Vetalia
02-08-2007, 05:43
Putin's got balls, that's for sure, but he better be careful not to overextend himself. As weak as the claim is (which means it probably won't go anywhere), a successful Russian claim on the North Pole might mean being forced to accept US ABM sites encircling his country...the last thing he needs is to risk it all on something like this and end up finding out that the benefits are less than expected.

After all, the North Pole has never really been explored...its oil deposits might be almost totally uneconomical to recover or significantly less than expected.
Kyronea
02-08-2007, 07:23
Considering Peak Oil is right around the corner and we're about three steps from the corner, it's not surprising that claims are being made on the North Pole.

The real question is what will happen once nations start trying to snatch the resources of the North Pole. We may see a new war in the worst case scenario.
Barringtonia
02-08-2007, 07:33
Maybe a good old world war will shake things up around here, the fact that the West is getting down to having to invade Afghanistan and Iraq - basket cases only beaten by North Korea - shows how bored governments are.

Perhaps it's time for a major conflict and bristling of mustaches. The North Pole is as good a place to stage it as anywhere given the low civilian population.
Slartiblartfast
02-08-2007, 08:41
Putin's got balls, that's for sure, but he better be careful not to overextend himself. As weak as the claim is (which means it probably won't go anywhere), a successful Russian claim on the North Pole might mean being forced to accept US ABM sites encircling his country...the last thing he needs is to risk it all on something like this and end up finding out that the benefits are less than expected.

After all, the North Pole has never really been explored...its oil deposits might be almost totally uneconomical to recover or significantly less than expected.

Why oh why do you think your country has to threaten everyone who disagrees with. :rolleyes:
Bolol
02-08-2007, 13:20
Why oh why do you think your country has to threaten everyone who disagrees with. :rolleyes:

There's disagreeing, and then there's Mr. KGB going quazi-Stalin all over the place.
Turquoise Days
02-08-2007, 13:26
Geologically speaking, their claim is somewhere between spurious and desperate.
FreedomAndGlory
02-08-2007, 13:32
Putin is a shrewd, devious fellow. He realizes our transitory weakness due to the Democratic-inspired isolationist sentiment fermenting within the US; thus, he decided to desperately snatch at the vast oil reserves of the North Pole without stirring the slumbering bear that is America. I give him credit for this well-conceived and risky scheme. As I have previously put forth, I believe that the systematic nuclear bombardment of the North Pole will sufficiently contaminate the area so as to deter any oil-related construction in the region. Nonetheless, I acknowledge that this scenario is unlikely to unfold. If, because of world inactivity and paralysis, the oil comes within Russia's iron grasp, it would bode ill for world stability as the boon will be used as political leverage. Europe would be in Russia's shadow, desperately seeking to maintain the life-blood of energy flowing into their country by any means necessary. Eventually, we will begin drilling in the ANWR, despite the pleas of many die-hard environmentalists (who will, no doubt, be harshly persuaded by the gas prices which are steadily ticking upwards), in order to regain a portion of our old petro-power.
Andaras Prime
02-08-2007, 13:52
Putin is a hero for taking on exploitative oligarchs at home and abroad, after Russia was raped by the West to pay it's debt after the privatization of Soviet assets, and millions of Russians thrown below the poverty line and a million dead, Putin rescued the country from backward 'Yeltsinism' and reinstated the people and state as above the petty capitalists, the same dirty Tsarists who sold Alaska for a quick buck, (a claim mind you voided by the Revolution). As Putin says, the collapse of the Soviet Union was the greatest disaster in human history.
Ashmoria
02-08-2007, 14:21
Maybe a good old world war will shake things up around here, the fact that the West is getting down to having to invade Afghanistan and Iraq - basket cases only beaten by North Korea - shows how bored governments are.

Perhaps it's time for a major conflict and bristling of mustaches. The North Pole is as good a place to stage it as anywhere given the low civilian population.

ewww does that mean we have to start electing moustachioed men? (or that our post-menopausal women leaders have to stop waxing their upper lips?)
The_pantless_hero
02-08-2007, 15:04
It's the Arctic Cold War - the Canadians are wanting to increase their military presence in the region for "safety"; Russia is expecting the move to bolster their military; and the US is increasing funding for Coast Guard ice cutters and giving them money for more ships.
Andaluciae
02-08-2007, 17:16
Putin is a hero for taking on exploitative oligarchs at home and abroad, after Russia was raped by the West to pay it's debt after the privatization of Soviet assets, and millions of Russians thrown below the poverty line and a million dead, Putin rescued the country from backward 'Yeltsinism' and reinstated the people and state as above the petty capitalists, the same dirty Tsarists who sold Alaska for a quick buck, (a claim mind you voided by the Revolution).

Do you even read what you write, or do you just copy-and-paste from random propaganda sites?

How the heck could you even associate Putin with anything besides imperialism and fascism? I mean, operate his secret police abroad and quash internal dissent. If anything, someone like you should oppose what Putin has done, as he is as close to a genuine fascist that any of the great powers has had for a leader since the fall of the USSR.

As Putin says, the collapse of the Soviet Union was the greatest disaster in human history.

Hubris of the first order.
Elva Barr
02-08-2007, 17:29
There's an estimate out, by the Weekly Standard, in 2005, that Russia will provide 2/3 of Europe's oil by 2020. Considering how far Putin is willing to go for oil (even though this particular plan may be a botched one) does anyone want to up that estimate? If Europe's stance changes, it's not good for England - though their economy is in steady decline as it is.
Trivialite
02-08-2007, 18:53
America doesn't need to go after the oil, Canada will sell it to them anyways.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070802.wrussia02/BNStory/Science/home

A cool link to Canada's position with a neat map of the Arctic.
PsychoticDan
02-08-2007, 19:06
Putin is a shrewd, devious fellow. He realizes our transitory weakness due to the Democratic-inspired isolationist sentiment fermenting within the US; thus, he decided to desperately snatch at the vast oil reserves of the North Pole without stirring the slumbering bear that is America. I give him credit for this well-conceived and risky scheme. As I have previously put forth, I believe that the systematic nuclear bombardment of the North Pole will sufficiently contaminate the area so as to deter any oil-related construction in the region. Nonetheless, I acknowledge that this scenario is unlikely to unfold. If, because of world inactivity and paralysis, the oil comes within Russia's iron grasp, it would bode ill for world stability as the boon will be used as political leverage. Europe would be in Russia's shadow, desperately seeking to maintain the life-blood of energy flowing into their country by any means necessary. Eventually, we will begin drilling in the ANWR, despite the pleas of many die-hard environmentalists (who will, no doubt, be harshly persuaded by the gas prices which are steadily ticking upwards), in order to regain a portion of our old petro-power.

http://www.necroticobsession.com/bb/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gifhttp://www.necroticobsession.com/bb/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gifhttp://www.necroticobsession.com/bb/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gifhttp://www.necroticobsession.com/bb/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gifhttp://www.necroticobsession.com/bb/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gifhttp://www.necroticobsession.com/bb/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gifhttp://www.necroticobsession.com/bb/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gifYou have absolutely no idea what's going on do you? My God.
PsychoticDan
02-08-2007, 19:09
There's an estimate out, by the Weekly Standard, in 2005, that Russia will provide 2/3 of Europe's oil by 2020. Considering how far Putin is willing to go for oil (even though this particular plan may be a botched one) does anyone want to up that estimate? If Europe's stance changes, it's not good for England - though their economy is in steady decline as it is.

Yeah, but the Weekly Standard also publishes articles that claim that oil is not biogenic and is constantly being renewed as it trickles up from the mantle. :)
LEFTHANDEDSUPREMACIST
02-08-2007, 20:14
If war breaks out I sure as hell would not want to be drafted. I would rather be sent to hell itself than fight in a war in the Arctic.
Vetalia
02-08-2007, 21:05
Why oh why do you think your country has to threaten everyone who disagrees with. :rolleyes:

Because that's how things work between world powers. He makes a move, we make a counter-move, and so on until one side or the other yields. I don't see why it's okay for Russia to claim the North Pole but wrong for the US to station ABM sites in Eastern Europe...either they're both wrong or are both alright.
Elva Barr
02-08-2007, 21:40
Yeah, but the Weekly Standard also publishes articles that claim that oil is not biogenic and is constantly being renewed as it trickles up from the mantle. :)

True. However, seeing as the BBC and ABC have used that estimate, I wouldn't claim it unfounded.
Turquoise Days
02-08-2007, 22:33
Yeah, but the Weekly Standard also publishes articles that claim that oil is not biogenic and is constantly being renewed as it trickles up from the mantle. :)

Well I'm very glad to hear that. ;)
The Tandu
02-08-2007, 22:41
Because that's how things work between world powers. He makes a move, we make a counter-move, and so on until one side or the other yields. I don't see why it's okay for Russia to claim the North Pole but wrong for the US to station ABM sites in Eastern Europe...either they're both wrong or are both alright.

Because as the sole world superpower, the US is SUPPOSED to be constantly making efforts to weaken its position economically, politically, and militarily. Otherwise it wouldnt be FAIR.