Russia seeks access to new facilities for navy: Is a new Cold War ahead?

For those tired of the War on Terror, and perhaps a bit nostalgic for a simpler time when we just had one enemy in one place, like during the Cold War, your nostalgia may soon be answered. A pattern of behavior by the Russian government suggest that country is seeking to reclaim superpower status, in a big way.

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LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - The Russian government has said that it is engaged in talks with eight nations that could host military units, particularly the navy for the resurgent country. According to Russian Defense Minister, Sergi Shoigu, the military is in talks with Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Algeria, Cyprus, the Seychelles, Vietnam, and Singapore.

The facilities would be used chiefly for refueling, particularly around the equator. In an effort to reduce alarm, the Defense Minister explained they would not be establishing bases but rather would be using the facilities to refuel and maintain ships when needed.

The strategic placement of the countries is not lost on analysts who pointed out the obvious concern that several of the proposed bases would be in the western hemisphere including Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.

Presently, the Russian Navy is limited to bases along the Black Sea and a port is uses in Syria. New permissions would allow Russian fleets to sail from both ends of the Mediterranean, as well as operate in the southern hemisphere including the Malacca Strait and the South China Sea.

On land, Russia is also increasing defense expenditures and increasing troop numbers. At the same time, the United States is planning to draw down its forces.

The Russian moves, including those taken presently in Ukraine, are not designed to be militarily belligerent, but rather to demonstrate to the world that Russia has the ability to project its power globally. This is important because the world economy is now globally integrated and a state with global capabilities can protect financial interests around the world.

This makes Russia more attractive economically, encouraging investment and development. In fact, Vladimir Putin's greatest backers are not nationalists, but rather tycoons and business people who want access to emerging markets around the globe as well as to encourage investment in Russian endeavors.

Having a global reach which allows the defense of those assets can encourage more investment.

Russian forces have already begun operating well beyond their borders. Sightings of Russian bombers for example have been made in the Pacific as well as the Caribbean. In 2008, two Russian bombers were observed making training flights between Venezuela and Nicaragua. Since then, the region has been visited by more aircraft and ships.

Russia may also be looking to blunt China's growing hegemony around the world too. China is hungry for power and resources, and is building its military accordingly.

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Meanwhile, the United States, the world's largest defense spender by far, is cutting its military, banking on advanced technology to preserve its edge in global hegemony.

Of course now, the United States is embarrassingly placed in a situation where President Obama must either support Ukraine in a seriously disadvantaged internal dispute, or back away and lose credibility.

Although the War of Terror has captivated Americans for over a decade, a new Cold War may soon develop, although it will be a conflict over the control of world resources and economies, rather than a battle of ideologies.

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