Joaquin Flores — Psychology of the Balkans War over Pipelines: Greece, Bulgaria and Beyond

Overview

The present war in Ukraine and events in Transnistria are already serious indications that the Balkans and West Black Sea regions are correctly forecasted to be theatres of instability in the coming period. Greece, Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Serbia are critical pieces.

Indisputably, the conflict in Ukraine greatly involves the future of Eurasian natural gas pipeline projects. These cannot be considered geopolitically distinct from Russia-Turkey bilateral relations nor from the pipeline 'cold war' presently taking place in the Balkans. As a general rule, it the Ukraine war demonstrates that between the major power blocs, outright war is indeed 'an option'.
In analyzing the events, the debate primarily surrounds the viability and status of Turkish Stream/South Stream on the one hand, and 'TANAP/TAP' backed by the Atlanticist network.…

Fort Russ
Psychology of the Balkans War over Pipelines: Greece, Bulgaria and Beyond
Joaquin Flores for Fort Russ

Also
Gas Diplomacy in the Balkans on the Move

Nikolay Starikov — Pipelines and geopolitics - the real reason behind Putin's visit to Italy

To summarize:

• Again, as a few years ago, world politics is concentrated on the web of pipelines.
• The battle is very intense and its outcome is difficult to predict. We have no less chances to win than our rivals.
• Our President is forced to take the initiative in the most difficult times and act as heavy artillery to "break through" enemy's positions.

Fort Russ
Pipelines and geopolitics - the real reason behind Putin's visit to Italy
Nikolay Starikov
Translated by Kristina Rus

RT — Putin holds phone call with Tsipras, agrees to meet in 2 weeks in Russia

Signaling?

RT
Putin holds phone call with Tsipras, agrees to meet in 2 weeks in Russia

Sputnik
Greece Explores BRICS Development Bank Membership - Deputy Defense Minister

Mikhail Delyagin — Russian-Chinese New World Order

The familiar world has crumbled. Russia and China must create a new one. About the need to unite the potential of both countries 

The article is based on the report at the scientific-practical conference "China and Russia in a changing world" in Beijing, on May 4, 2015.

Fort Russ
Russian-Chinese New World Order. Part 1. The End of the Market

Russian-Chinese New World Order. Part 2. Gobal Depression

Russian-Chinese New World Order. Part 3. Cooperation
Russian-Chinese New World Order. Part 4. Our Friends and Enemies

Mikhail Delyagin
Translated by Kristina Rus

Also

At first sight, things look very different now. When President Xi Jinping of Chinatook pride of place next to Vladimir Putin of Russia on Saturday, they looked like any other modern world leaders: pragmatic men-in-suits, full of smiles, temporary possessors of power rather than dictators-for-life.
Back in 1949, when Chairman Mao Tse-tung paid his first visit to Moscow to celebrate Comrade Joseph Stalin's 70th Birthday, it was a paean of old-school Communism.

Children in Young Pioneer uniforms paraded through the Bolshoi Opera House telling of their ambition to become tractor drivers. Mao wore a "Mao suit" and Stalin military uniform. Both men looked grumpy.

But the two events, six decades apart, have a clear parallel. Once again, the Russia-China axis is the main threat to the West's vision of peaceful and prosperous international relations.
The line-up of leaders alongside the two men was a walking representation of a new anti-American alliance that has formed bit by bit since the invasion of Iraq demonstrated the frightening ease with which Washington could destroy hostile leaders far away....

If Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld were sending a message with shock and awe, this is the response.

The Telegraph
A new world order? Putin and Xi put friendship on display

Richard Spencer

Russia & India Report
Victory Day and the evolving Global Order

Debidatta Aurobinda Mahapatra, specially for RIR

Macedonia - the next hot spot after Ukraine?

Nikolay Starikov
Translated by Kristina Rus

RT
Macedonia unrest: ‘Warning to Skopje against new Turkish pipeline’

Sputnik
Macedonian Conflict: 'Greater Albania' Used by West to Destabilize Balkans

Paul Craig Roberts
The Choice Before Europe

Zero Hedge — As Gazprom CEO Arrives In Athens, EU (Coincidentally) Files Anti-Trust Charges Against Russian Giant

This is getting funny.

Zero Hedge
As Gazprom CEO Arrives In Athens, EU (Coincidentally) Files Anti-Trust Charges Against Russian Giant

Tyler Durden

Red Pill Times — Greece is on board with Turk Stream pipeline

We reported yesterday on how Greece has been handed a golden opportunity to enter the energy game, with the shock announcement by Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller, that Ukraine is out, and Turkey gas transit to the Greek border is in. 

It took all but 24 hours for Greek officials to get with the program, and jump on board the Energy Zone future that awaits…which, as we reported yesterday, will make Greece’s Euro Zone experience seem like a bad eight year hangover.…

Red Pill Times
Greece is on board with Turk Stream pipeline
Alexrpt

Also

Russia Insider
The Big Winner of All Russia Gas to South Europe via Turkey Is Greece

Alex Christoforou | CEO of Wadja, Inc., a social media company