The Cold War is done, finish, ka las, no more – right? Not even close! Russia has been recovering, expanding, and sneaking into just about every headline with little or no attention. As usual, I like to identify threats ahead of time; or in this case, an old threat. Walls came down, lessons were learned, and the cunning Russia has moved back into our lives, or at least positioning themselves that way. Perception is reality. Here are some facts that should be alerting to everyone.

Lets start with the aperture wide open: We always hear about the BRIC countries (future economic super powers) – Brazil, Russia, India, and China BUT Russia is the only non-Eastern “saving” culture growing fairly well. In 2011, Russia became the world’s leading oil producer, surpassing Saudi Arabia (read that twice, yes, surpassing Saudi Arabia); Russia is the second-largest producer of natural gas; Russia holds the world’s largest natural gas reserves, the second-largest coal reserves, and the eighth-largest crude oil reserves. Russia is the third-largest exporter of both steel and primary aluminum. There economy has defied predicted 4% growth by posting an impressive 4.9% growth per year and growing.

CIA World Fact Book: RUSSIAN ECONOMY

“Russia has undergone significant changes since the collapse of the Soviet Union, moving from a globally-isolated, centrally-planned economy to a more market-based and globally-integrated economy.” For More

New York Times: RUSSIAN OIL

“Now, whether Iran carries out that threat immediately or Europe proceeds with its previously planned embargo of Iranian oil this summer, the Russian industry could capitalize more directly. Its pipelines stand ready to serve customers willing to pay a premium price — with a grade of oil closely resembling Iran’s.” For More

• Closing the aperture little by little…..Russian businessman and the Kremlin access to your Facebook page? Maybe that’s over the top but a possibility… keep reading ; )

New York Times: RUSSIAN STOCK IN FACEBOOK

Alisher B. Usmanov and Yuri Milner own 9% of Facebook: “Mr. Usmanov said that, after the series of investments from 2009 until 2011, he and Mr. Milner owned about 9 percent of Facebook at one point, but now own about 6 percent and will hold about 4.5 percent after the initial public offering. The other shares they originally controlled have gone to other investors, clients of D.S.T. and corporate entities. His ties to the Kremlin and Facebook have stirred concerns that he might influence the company’s policies in subtle ways to appease governments in markets where Facebook is also an important tool of political dissent, such as Russia.”

• Another Russian business man may have access to your computer? Over the top? One step from placing a foil hat on your paranoid brain? Not the goal, but you have to acknowledge the possibilities – right? Read and decide….

Wired Magazine, August 2012: RUSSIAN ACCESS TO YOU AND ABILITY TO STOP US CYBER WARFARE

“Kaspersky has 300 million customers. His geek squad uncovers US cyberweapons. And he has deep ties to the KGB’s successors in Moscow.”

“Microsoft, Cisco, and Juniper Networks all embed Kaspersky code in their products—effectively giving the company 300 million users. When it comes to keeping computers free from infection, Kaspersky Lab is on its way to becoming an industry leader.”

“In May of this year, Kaspersky’s elite anti-hackers exposed a second weaponized computer program, which they dubbed Flame. It was subsequently revealed to be another US-Israeli operation aimed at Iran. In other words, Kaspersky Lab isn’t just an antivirus company; it’s also a leader in uncovering cyber-espionage.” For More

• So let me get this straight. Russia has effectively come back to life and have managed to tie themselves to Iranian Oil, Facebook, access to 300 million computers, and admittedly interfering with US/Israeli led covert operations against Iran???

CAN THE READERS OF SOFREP PLEASE TELL ME WTF IS GOING ON!?!?

Aperture closed for now…..

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