Global Conflict: An important sign – Part 2
October 28, 2015
TimeWatch Editorial
By Cameron A. Bowen
In part I of this topic we raised the matter that Vladimir Putin’s secret “reopening of a Soviet-era spy base on America's doorstep, amid souring relations between Moscow and Washington.”
This relationship is not just political and economic, but if we go back to the original article we quoted here, we will see that the intended connections will run much deeper. Notice how the Alec Luhn article in the guardian continues:
Opened in 1967, the Lourdes facility was the Soviet Union's largest foreign base, a mere 155 miles from the US coast. It employed up to 3,000 military and intelligence personnel to intercept a wide array of American telephone and radio communications, but Putin announced its closure in 2001 because it was too expensive – Russia had been paying $200m (£117m) a year in rent. Alec Luhn , “Russia to reopen spy base in Cuba as relations with US continue to sour.”Wednesday 16th of July, 2014.
Notice that this base at Lourdes was the Soviet’s largest foreign base, located 155 miles from the Soviet’s greatest rival, The United States.
"Lourdes gave the Soviet Union eyes in the whole of the western hemisphere … For Russia, which is fighting for its lawful rights and place in the international community, it would be no less valuable than for the USSR," Vyacheslav Trubnikov, former head of Russia's foreign intelligence service told Kommersant. …. "The goal of Putin's visit to Cuba, Nicaragua and Argentina was to strengthen geopolitical connections with Latin America in response to the United States' attempts to isolate Russia," Alexei Pushkov, the chairman of the foreign affairs committee in Russia's parliament, tweeted after the trip . Alec Luhn , “Russia to reopen spy base in Cuba as relations with US continue to sour.”Wednesday 16th of July, 2014.
Perhaps Aaron Klein, writer for the Jerusalem post has the clearest view of the context of President Obama’s recent move to restore the United State’s relationship with Cuba in his article entitled , “Obama's Cuba 'lovefest': A real move to check Russia?”
Some Republican and Democratic leaders, along with many of my colleagues in conservative talk radio were quick to criticize President Obama’s move on Wednesday to restore diplomatic ties with Havana; they claimed it rewarded dictatorship and damaged America’s global posture and bargaining position Missing in much of the national conversation is how this White House maneuver checks Russia’s growing influence in Cuba, where Moscow, in Cold War fashion, has been flexing its military and economic muscles just 90 miles from the US coast in an overt challenge to our national security. A clear-minded analysis of Obama's move may impart future implications for Israel, as well. Aaron Klein, “Obama's Cuba 'lovefest': A real move to check Russia?”December 12, 2014.
Mr. Klein’s contribution assures us that Vladimir’s strategic moves have not gone unnoticed by the Obama administration. If so then, the pentagon is obviously preparing for any or all eventualities.
In a move undoubtedly watched closely by the Pentagon, in April 2013 Russian Military Chief of Staff Gen. Valery Gerasimov reportedly toured key Cuban military and intelligence sites. Four months later, a spokesman for Russia’s Black Sea Fleet told reporters that the fleet’s flagship, the Russian guided-missile warship Moskva, would tour the coast of Cuba and Central and South American ports. In February 2014, it was reported that another Russian warship, the Viktor Leonov CCB-175, had docked in Cuba. Aaron Klein, “Obama's Cuba 'lovefest': A real move to check Russia?”December 12, 2014.
Perhaps, the present president of the United States is not militarily reserved as some think him to be. Perhaps he really does see the danger approaching.
These moves, which could potentially bring thousands of Russian soldiers to Cuba in the future, may in part help to explain why, as part of Obama’s rapprochement, the White House is so eager to reopen a US embassy on Cuban soil. The facility will clearly help establish a US presence to countervail Russia's. Aaron Klein, “Obama's Cuba 'lovefest': A real move to check Russia?”December 12, 2014.
If, as Matthew 24 puts it, the nations rising against each other is the beginning of sorrows, notice the plural of the word “sorrow” then we might be wise to prepare for what will follow, as described in that chapter.
Cameron A. Bowen
