Cold War again
The Soviet Un…er…sorry, I mean Russia is opening their Lourdes listening post on Cuba that was closed in 2001 and formerly used since 1964 to spy on US communications systems after the famous Cuban Missile Crisis.
Kommersant reported that Russia and Cuba had agreed “in principle” to reopen the Lourdes base, mothballed since 2001, citing several sources within Russian authorities.
“The agreements were finalised while President Vladimir Putin visited Havana last Friday,” the respected daily wrote.
Russia had closed the Lourdes spy base south of Havana on Putin’s orders to save money and due to a rapprochement with the United States after the September 11 attacks.
But Moscow has since shown a new interest in Latin America and its Cold War ally Cuba and relations with the West have deteriorated amid the Ukraine crisis.
I remember that Soviet Union increased military presence during the Carter years, too, so why wouldn’t they use that same model in Jimmy Carter’s third term.
Category: Politics
I have to admit that I do so miss the Cold War days. There were, to be sure, terrorists, but both sides managed to keep them more or less in check.
These days? So many variables to deal with. Sigh.
Cuba may be the staging point for Ruby Red Dawn. Maybe Josh Wilcox was on to something…
Talk about turning back the clock… Feeling real warm and fuzzy about the future.
Those old missile silos and bunkers are still there, as touris attractions.
Oh, and Vlad wrote off some $30 billions in Soviet-era Cuban debt before his trip to see the Castros. Does anyone think it’s time to stock the bomb shelters?
I wonder if he’s planning a takeover of Venezuelan oil wells. Hmmm…..
Well, if Bath Iron Works gets hit with anything below 1MT, we ought to be fine. Enough warning and we’ll be off to our “special hideaway”.
BUT….. if the Soviets, er, Russians decide that it warrant anything above a 1MT strike, then hopefully we’ll have at least 15 minutes warning to grab our go bags and hit the escape road.
Mine’s always in the car. Everything on shelves is boxed and easy to grab and pack. Tank is full.
Before Reagan, I figured I could stuff everything I needed into my backpack and walk out, or drive until I ran out of gas and then walk. I still feel that way.
Old Soviet joke said that “capitalism was the exploitation of men by other men. Communism, is, of course, the exact opposite.”
Seems like there should be an equivalent joke about US spying on your allies versus Russian spying on your enemies. Right now, I’m thinking it’s all just flip sides of the same coin, sort of like the Democratic and Republican parties. Better dust off that definition of realpolitik.
Could someone please send an email to the White House with a copy of or reference to The Monroe Doctrine? Wait a minute, now I remember. Thank you John Kerry for telling the OAS in 2013 that the Monroe Doctrine was dead. Yea, that helped a lot. Although you don’t have the power to say that or enforce it. It gave every communist and terrorist nation, and organization in the world an open door to come play in the western hemisphere. Obama and Company, taking care of America, yet again. The Doctrine was used by JFK and even Reagan. But Obama, nah, he’s a sit on his hands, except to play golf kind of non-leader. Whatever gets him to January 2017 and into his pension, library and life time Secret Service protection is all he wants. If America has collapsed around his ankles for the rest of us, at least he got his. Screw Obama and Kerry and their whole lying Administration.
Dear President Obama,
How is that second term “flexibility” you told the Russians you would have if re-elected working out?? From where I sit, not so fucking good.
Oh and excellent job gutting our armed forces while your worthless foreign policy encourages every nut job on the planet to flex their muscles.
Hugs and Kisses,
Everyone who will have to deal with this bullshit for the next 20 years.
Splash 777 over Ukriane. Breaking news.
The Ukraine is saying it was shot down. Not by who, but with a “Buk launcher” which is a massive surface to air missile.
I’m starting to get a very 1983 feeling here.
That being the year the world almost blew up several times.
Your not the only one…
Same, and the several years that followed were a little tense as well.
I was commissioned in summer of 1983 after having previously served as an enlisted grunt. It was a very eventful year all around (KAL 007, Beirut, Grenada, etc.) to say the least…
Malaysian Airlines-man I wouldn’t take a flight with them for free.
Friend of mine here from just outside Singapore said “why is it always us?”
Guess all those antennas down on Key West might be getting some new work. Now, bring on the AGI’s and Victor III’s. USN needs the ASW practice.