Sunday, April 17, 2016

Unpredictable Russia...

Kalingrad, the small, Russian territory located in between Poland and Lithuania has faced increased difficulties recently. Kalingrad has for long made good profit out of shopping tourists from around Europe, who have found products cheap here. However, since Russia has taken a more aggressive stance in the world politics again, Kalingrad has suffered from sanctions that the World Bank and Western countries have aimed towards them. These worsened economic circumstances have critically hit businesses in Kalingrad, who are worried about their future outlook.


Moreover, Kalingrad is a geopolitically strategic spot for Russia, and it has now been victim for increased militarization. This move from Russia has raised the discussion whether Russia’s next military target are the Baltic countries: Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Since Putin has acted irrational earlier, and hardly communicates clearly, it is hard to predict his next move. Specualtions hence are filled with great nervousness. What would NATO do if Russia attacked the Baltic countries? Would NATO assist or would it let Russia expand its power? These cold war speculations may at best be nothing more than a sudden muscle flex from Russia, and at its worst, the beginning of a real conflict between Russia and the US.

Victor Krueeger

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/17/world/europe/russias-separate-piece-sets-off-alarms-about-a-cold-war-revival.html?ref=world&_r=0

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