Sharla's Labyrinth: After China, Russia Threatens War Over Iran

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

After China, Russia Threatens War Over Iran

The Israeli newspaper Arutz Sheva reported yesterday the words of the Russian ambassador to NATO, Dmitry Rogozin, that any threat to Iran’s security will be considered a threat against Russia as well. Rogozin seems to be serious about it. Russia, though still weak economically, has recovered much of its military strength after the breakup of the Soviet Union. Putin is facing dissent domestically – both for his policies toward the political parties of the opposition and for the economic slow-down of an economy that is highly centralized. This is the perfect time for Russia to flex a few muscles on the world arena, and even engage in a war or two – if for nothing else, at least to rally the people around the flag. Traditionally, Russian rulers went to war in situations like that. This time they do not even need to be the aggressor. The war drums banging by the politicians in Washington DC is giving Putin the perfect opportunity to appear as the good guy defending his friends.

Putin knows something else as well: America has overstretched itself militarily, and that in a time of economic recession and debt crisis. If there has ever been a time to start a war against the United States, it is this time. Putin runs a very high chance to have some success in such a war.
Iran is strategically important to Russia just as it is to China. China gets the bulk of its oil from Iran. Russia uses Iran as their economic colony, exporting food, clothes, and industrial equipment. Iranian military bases have been opened to Russian military planes for a decade now. A US invasion of Iran would endanger both the Chinese and the Russian interests in the region. So banging the war drums can easily lead to a WWIII.