This just in: the UNSC has adopted resolution “imposes an arms embargo against the Houthi rebels in Yemen and the allied forces loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh”. How crazy is that?!
An international coalition of thugs lead by the Saudis and al-Qaeda is conducing a large-scale aggression against Yemen and when the Jordanians propose to slap an arms embargo on the Houthis Russia simply abstains even though the Saudis are armed to their teeth by the USA? Worse, in a monumentally hypocritical statement the Russian UN Ambassador declared that “We insisted that the arms embargo needs to be comprehensive; it’s well known that Yemen is awash in weapons,” Churkin said. “The adopted resolution should not be used for further escalation of the armed conflict.” Does Churkin not know that the fully-armed Saudi military is leading an international aggression in this war?
Frankly, I am at loss for words. This Russian abstention reeks of hypocrisy and reminds me of the shameful Russian abstention on the anti-Libyan resolution in 2011. For the life of me I cannot imagine what the Russian rationale was for allowing the adoption of this resolution. Maybe it was to draw the Saudis further into a war they cannot win, but if that is the case, this is not, in my opinion, the morally or even politically appropriate thing to do, if only because of the damage suffered (yet again!) by the Russian diplomacy.
When Russia unilaterally refused to deliver the S-300s to Iran and in 2011 when Russia allowed the anti-Libyan resolution to pass, Medvedev was in power. Now, however, it is Vladimir Putin. This time he cannot argue that “the other guy did it”.
I find this latest development both very disappointing and rather frightening.
What do you think?
Cheers,
The Saker
Perhaps the abstention was caution. It appears the US and its partners in crime want to polarize the situations, draw out the Russians into open opposition, then warfare. Mr. Putin has been pretty clever so far, standing for diffusing situations, and advocating diplomacy.
These are just official statements, and who knows what goes on undercover. It would be good to have an arms embargo on both sides. The Yemenis seem to be a tough and well armed people in a mountainous terrain. May all the holy beings be with them.
“The Kremlin confirmed on Tuesday that an oil-for-goods barter deal between Russia and Iran was being implemented and said all legal barriers had been removed to Moscow supplying S-300 missile systems to Tehran”–from ICH today. I think that might explain it as something like a quid pro quo. I recall I, too, was shocked at Libya. But then I recall Quadaffi “kicked Russia to the curb” when it switched to British and American arms over the objections of his oldest son. So, apparently, Russia did not have a “dog” in that race. If I had to give free advice I’d remind Russia that Isis was probably created to take them out with a super Jihad in the long run. And, like them or not, the Houthis are fighting ISIS. The Saudis are bankrolling ISIS and similar Wahhabist entities…
Tragic that yet another movement for self determination is so savagely repressed.
In other news, this is an important development that augures badly for the region:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/12/saudi-arabia-turkey-syria_n_7012268.html
KSA/Turkey military alliance against Syria. Not good.
The Yemenis are not to be allowed to defend themselves against the Saudis. That’s pretty clear. I don’t even understand why Hadi is being considered by
Saudis to be the legitimate or legal president of Yemen. Hadi had a 2-year presidency; it was extended by a year by their legislative branch. The year would’ve expired in February 2015, except Hadi resigned in January 2015.
Btw, The Houtis are NOT all-shiite, include sunnis.
Main oil fields in Saoudi Arabia are located in the east, with a Shia majority. Bahrein also as a Shia majority, Kuwait is 30-40% Shia …
If the Saouds are ousted (or just weakened by the Yemen conflict), the Middle East may blow-up. Not necessarily because of the Houthis or Iran, but because of existing Shia protests in oil monarchies.
(Even Egypt needs the money from the Saoudis…)
If the Middle-East blows up, the economy of all countries relying on Middle-East oil will collapse. Europe, Japan, some Asian countries, African … USA will collapse.
Russia, China will collapse too – or at least have a very hard time.
We’re talking millions of deaths, anarchy of other the world and a dark age, may be war and nuclear winter…
Sad for the Houthis, but they have to be weakened…
Seems the Saoudis have “twisted the arms” of the US this time. And every one must be cautious.
East never had a dark age..
Just w. Euro did lol
Nuclear war over what?
Could be difficult but it won’t be the apocalypse you are hoping for.
What would be exactly the interest of Russia in taking openly the side of the Houthis? To take sides in what is just a sordid rumble between rival tribes? To get involved in the quagmire of Muslim sectarian squables which could have reverberations back home?
It is obvious that the Israbia want to involve Iran and indirectly Russia and make a case out of it. Russia does not want to be involved. Who are these Houthis to deserve a Russian intervention on their behalf? Russia does not support unconstitutional changes of government. They condemned it in Ukraine, why do you want them to support it in other parts of the world?
It is pragmatic.
Russia doesn’t have a dog in this fight and is more concerned with the price of oil than the civil war in Yemen.
This only matters if the Russians specifically ignored Iranian advice on the issue.
Did Iran ask Russia to veto this measure? If so, they are giving to Iran on one hand (S300) and taking away on the other (Abandoning militias with Iranian sympathies).
Given that – there is no way Iran could or should trust Russia. Is that really the way for Russia to win friends and INFLUENCE people? ie – Iranians?
It plays into American hands on a number of levels if you consider the Iranian dimension. Suddenly Iran looks to the American overtures thinking – well, they can’t be more two-faced than the Russians!
Saker, you’re thinking with your heart, and that’s why everybody loves you. But a veto would have been wasted and useless, as others have said it. Saudi Arabia just shot themselves in the foot, shortly the Yemeni will reverse the flow and will take the battle to the Saudi territory, help or no help, they are awash in arms and well motivated. Just sit back and enjoy…
Pata Salada, I agree 100%.
This resolution was intentionally outrageous because it was a trap.
I think Iran and the US have a separate bilateral deal http://www.voltairenet.org/article187251.html
Russia of course knows it. This is a message from Putin: we can protect you (S300 air defense), but we are not shy to torpedo you if you try to make a secret deal with the US that can is unfriendly to us.
What if Russian play passive, what if this is Planned by US to create some chaos for Saudi, that would push oil Price up and save million of fracking Jobs in US not mention the shale bubble…. Hmmm WHO more would benifit from this? Russia/Venezuela etc… Even canada …. So Perhaps it’s oilprice time and to get some more revenu would help russia more then US. Perhaps it’s that simpleand your Wish for standing up for right swings most of own countrys intressts?
I’ve read the article that Saker links to and in my opinion, abstention was the only option.
Russia had pushed for the draft resolution, originally drawn up by Jordan and some other Gulf Arab states, to impose an arms embargo on all participants in the war. This of course was never the intention of the countries that proposed the resolution. Russia’s abstention amounts to a boycott of what basically amounts to window-dressing.
A veto would not change anything other than expose Russia in an unflattering (and incorrect) light as being somehow complicit with the Houthi rebels.
In other news, the Houthis and their allies seem to be holding their own against the Saudis and are even routing them, in a way that parallels the Donbass resistance against the Poroshenko regime in Ukraine. Is it not possible that the Houthis are even collecting weapons and equipment left behind by the Saudis? That could very well be one reason the Jordanians proposed the draft resolution originally – because the Houthis might be gaining the upper hand over the Saudis at present.
Don’t see what’s so hard to understand how can Russia be seen to be supporting the violent overthrow of one government (Yemen) and at the same time oppose the violent overthrow of another government (Ukraine). They would be guiltily of the same hypocrisy that they accuse the US. It would open a can worms for the Russians.
I am speechless too.
I guess it is hit and miss for Russian Diplomacy, or more exactly, I think it is true what they say about Putin -that he makes decisions ad hoc, most of the times lacking a strategy.
I also think that this is not good in the long run for Russia. He is respected because people think that he is a strong, smart leader with a long-term vision, who, would not throw needlessly people under the bus. What a disappointment…
A veto would have made no difference. Nothing or no one can stop this process. And whoever was supplying the Houthis will go on doing so.
The UNSC is a dead body: it voted Minsk2 unanimously, and see what’s happening now.
The entire system of international law has long broken down. It is now the law of the jungle. People still go through these motions, no doubt because they don’t know what else to do, but there is no international law any more.
And even in the case of Libya, a veto would have stopped no one: Syria was spared the first time because Russia deployed their ships in the eastern Med. – and China as well… Idem Crimea. But the gain must be a commensurate with the risk, and with the Ukraine crisis being at such a confrontation stage, Yemen may have to be left to Providence…
Agreed Saker. I thought the same and was initially horrified. Might be part of a deal (Ukraine, Iran etc.), might be Russia has a good strategic reason, but for now it seems a mistake.
he could be trying to ease the pressure on Ukraine
I wonder where some people get the impression that Russia would or are supporting the Houthis , they called for an embargo on all arms to all groups.
The only group that Russia might support would be the militias in South Yemen, the old Peoples Republic, who are fighting the Houthi invasion. These people have been calling for the re-division of the country into North and South Yemen and I doubt they want either the Houthis with their old dictator ally or the Saudis ruling over them.
Something I’ve not seen addressed by Saker – I didn’t read all the comments, only skimmed a few:
Who is officially arming the Houthi rebels? If anyone. Those who are unofficially arming them, if anyone, can simply proceed as they were. So unless a state is officially arming the Houthis, the resolution has little practical purpose.
Good question BT, the only information I have read about Houthi supporters claimed that Muqtada al Sadr has been in contact or meeting with their representatives. This could mean that there is support from Iraq or more indirectly from Iran.
Smells of politics on a global and regional scale. 1) We (RF) deliver S-300 (or better) to Iran. 2) You (West/NATO/Israel/GCC) deal with it. 3) We, in return, will not interfere with Yemen at the UN. 4) Iran gains much needed air defense against Israeli or any other aggressors. 5) Iran acquiesces to Russian non-intervention at UN, and tacit support for Houthis, with Russian back channel arms.
I don’t understand why every so-called analyst here is bawling like a baby? I know, I know, the Yemeni average citizen suffers. Well so have the Syrians, and Libyans, and Iraqis, etc….
With Libyan no veto act, I had said, that Russia singlebhandedly resurrectedvthe moribund Nato at that very moment.
Now with yenen no veto, Russia has written her own death warrant.
You will see.
Stupid nations go down that quick.
Ans
D no, China will not be allowed to be any power either-see how Japan of 1980s was sabotaged by the anglos by early 90s.
Most lucid post I’ve read.
You have to build consenus and western media makes that difficult.
Putin could veto w.e could even take dictator power
But few years ago when every Russian thought point to life was mercedes and mcdonalds what was point?
Sometimes your own people have to suffer for their own good.
Your extra national ambitions are just a facet of your abrahamic upbringing.
Russia has a pagan culture rooted in the land, west a judeo one rooted in being special.
Putin looks out for Russians first, obviously realizing the implications of every action but from a russian focus
Not sitting two oceans away completely dsiconnected thinking military economic power falls from trees.
If we did this and this just right we would have utopia lol
@ Saker
Just a thought. In a previous Russian presidential election campaign, Gennady Zyuganov, the candidate representing the Communist Party of Russian Federation (who eventually lost second-placed) put forth a list of items as his presidential program.
One of these items was quite interesting, not because it contained anything new and profound, but because it was very revealing about the actual state of Russian power. He referred to the grave peril to Russia from the predatory U.S., and warned that it was extremely critical for Russia to take advantage of the most fortuitous fact that the U.S. was at the time militarily preoccupied with Afghanistan. Which was giving Russia a breathing space to most intensively rebuild its industrial and military capacity, to be ready when the U.S. inevitably turns its full attention to Russia.
With that in mind, I am merely wondering: how much of all this Putin’s zig-zagging is done in hope to gain time to sufficiently strengthen Russia, being aware of its weaknesses? Either that, or some gross ineptitude, hard to think what else.
Yes, very perplexing. Did the one world bank call in a favour or threaten? Where was China in all this? Was this a settling of scores for Iran’s signing on with the Nabucco pipeline consortium? Russia and Iran (Persia) have never historically really been bosom buddies. I don’t believe this has much to do with drawing Arabia in deeper as they are already in up to their necks. Whatever the reason it seems a betrayal of anti imperial rebels for some hidden supposed gain.
to be honest the yemen situation is murky.
ukraine and syria are clear.
Perhaps someone can write a detailed analysis of the situation in Yemen to date and then postulate the Russian response. At face value the Russian response is not deisive. it does not draw a line-in-the-sand and does not define Russian aims or character. perhaps that is the idea.
Yemen is a distraction and a trap Putin won’t fall into, that is being set up by the US and CO.Main game is Ukraine, and Putin knows what’s being built by nato in there…that definitely looks like a big war against Russia.
Dear Saker,
It is said that Putin’s Russia is not a revisionist power. It is claimed that Putin’s only ambition is to see an independent Russia in an American lead order. If true, this claim makes little sense and it is a contradiction in terms: an American lead order does not admit independent powers, nor equals, nor contradictors.
Russia supported the resolution because it is aware the USA is arming all sides of this conflict, including the Houthis — same as what’s happening in Syria, Iraq and almost every other war zone on this god forsaken planet.
Saudi Arabia is scheduled for dismemberment and Russia, Iran, the USA and Israel are fully on board. There is a serious amount of blood soaked SDR dollars to be made by all parties and every super rich psychopath alive today wants a piece of the new Middle East pie — including the globalizing oligarchs who APPOINTED VVP to lead them to the promised land of One Percent-er Redemption and Paradise on Earth for the very very rich.
These people believe a WORLD WAR is the only thing that will save them and their capitalist/materialist system of mass murder and rape like they believe World War 2 saved them from the Great Depression of their own making. They don’t care how many millions or billions die and some actually see the death of several hundred million useless eaters as a direct and very tangible benefit — including most of the 20% of formerly Soviet Jews now residing in Israel.
Any military or geopolitical analyst of any worth should understand the USA is the only country on earth so much as capable of providing the necessary logistical and other support for a Houthi war of liberation against the Saudis. An Afgan or Vietnam-like struggle by the Houthis is absolutely unsustainable without a huge helping hand from Uncle Sam. Look at the fricken map ladies and gents!
That’s why the Russians are being so cooperative. Putin understands Russia would be fine without this conflict because of its resources but his Western partners know that time is very short for their own teetering ponzi scheme. They’ve given him a choice and the same goes for Iran. They’ve all made their peace with the NWO and Czar Putin prefers a sure bet with massive profits to a direct confrontation with NATO and the many Dr. Strangelove’s who reside therein.
Russia is playing the Rothschilds game and I’m so sorry for the true believers: You’ve been had — again — and I’m afraid it won’t be the last time.
Of course my initial reaction is one of moral shock. Yet, Mr. Vitaly Churkin is a better statesman than most of my fellow ‘Americans’ and more of one than I could ever aspire to be. I trust that he is doing what is best for his country and that his actions are the result of a greater and more expansive vision. Perhaps he is expertly choosing his battles since not every battle can be won.
I look forward to seeing the end result and learning about the true reasoning… in time.
The power struggle between the financial powers of the East and West is agonizingly protracted with so many ‘scuffles’ along the way to the final show-down.
My hope is that honor, justice, integrity, and peace will, in the end, be victorious. Yet, what will be left of the earth by that point?
I am surprised more people aren’t reading this
/exclusive-interview-with-ambassador-syed-mohammed-murtaza-shah/
It is a Pakistani ambassador giving his views on the Yemen situation. Remember Pakistan is an ally of Saudi Arabia, and the Saudi air force is purportedly staffed entirely by Pakistani pilots.
It is worth reading in conjunction with this article.
I suppose it has to do with the oil war
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13940125001657
The Saker remains a romantic moralist at heart. In Yemen, Putin has demonstrated to his European would-be partners that he is not trying to police the world and will not stand up for the rights of countries while ignoring context – here the fate of Yemen that is not a strategic ally. Surely there is a vast difference between the UN resolution that authorized a “fly-over” in Libya on the way to becoming carpet bombing of civilian populations supporting Qadaffi, and an arms embargo that will make little difference in the outcome of the Yemen struggle. Unless one has unlimited power and resources, one sticks up for principle when it makes a difference and when doing so advances the interests of one’s own country.
Important Update illustrating the point made above:
Russia’s realpolitik focus is made clearer by its lifting the self-imposed ban of shipping weapons to Iran and doing so in the face of condemnation from both the U.S. and Israel. This move strengthens Iran and makes it harder for the U.S. to disengage from the region and focus its military forces more against Russia and China. This is a weapons ban than makes a difference to Russian interests and it has been lifted to Russian advantage. See “US, Israel condemn Russian missile deal with Iran” By Bill Van Auken, 15 April 2015 http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2015/04/15/iran-a15.html
The explanation is probably very mundane: just regular political horse trading. Yemen is of ZERO strategic value to Russia. Although, for moral and practical and self-interest reasons, Putin is supported by a lot of people in the international community, he is a leader and politician after all and does not really care about international law necessarily. He just realizes that, considering the power equations, international law would be the best path for his country but exceptions can be made. Those exceptions obviously diminish his image and his intangible qualities and influence.
The explanation is probably very mundane: just regular political horse trading. Yemen is of ZERO strategic value to Russia. Although, for moral and practical and self-interest reasons, Putin is supported by a lot of people in the international community, he is a leader and politician after all and does not really care about international law necessarily. He just realizes that, considering the power equations, international law would be the best path for his country but exceptions can be made. Those exceptions obviously diminish his image and his intangible qualities and influence.
Not surprising at all, at least to myself. What comes to mind is the concept of “Tri-lateral” control of the planet. What all of the “Powers” are doing is conducting a large-scale kabuki directly and indirectly using their puppets. None of the leaders/politicos of the G-20 are to be trusted, not even the Kremlin/Putin. I do not see a halo over his head!
The END GAME, as it is called, is absolute control of the people and resources of the planet. Anything else is a contrived distraction.
On a personal note, the last time I left the RF, I was stopped and charged with taking too many Euros with me. Customs did not care how many Rubles or Dollars I had. They (the state) wanted hard currency, just like in Soviet times.
I think this is smart move by Putin.
Time will tell.
Completely agree with Saker on this one. Apparently Russia has learned nothing from their various abstentions, from Korea to Libya. You have a Veto. Use it!
What do I think?
I think the Russian decision was made in Russia’s self interest. The world is still like a chessboard to those with their hands on the levers of power and Russia is still in the game.
Furthermore, consider the possibility that the Houthi’s have all the weapons they need -of are likely to get, despite any weapons embargo. And. . . when was the last time a UN embargo really stopped weapons deliveries by the major powers/arms exporters?
I think this vote gives Russia added diplomatic credit at a time when their actions are being heavily scutinized and criticised in the public arena, while changing nothing regarding the Yemen situation.
Cheers
“Does Churkin not know that the fully-armed Saudi military is leading an international aggression in this war?”
I think he does know that, no point in vetoing the embargo resolution when the whole country is surrounded by air and sea.
What would a Russian veto change on the ground? What’s in it for Russia? What’s the price that Russia would pay for using that veto? Russia can’t just willy nilly veto everything the Western alliance tries to do, they have to play their cards carefully.
I think Russia as drawn a line on the map where their influence reaches and they will use their hard power within this line and their soft power beyond it. Anything beyond the Suez canal is clearly beyond the line, so no veto.
keep up the good work Saker.
This Russian abstention will come back to roost, no doubt…
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
I agree with you completely. Putin has dropped several feet in my estimation … as have China and Venezueala. Putin more so though. He had much further to fall.
The Russian Federation’s decision to abstain from voting on this resolution is not a sign of geopolitical weakness or of caving in to GCC and Western demands. Russia has no strategic interests as such in Yemen and I suspect they are not too thrilled at the prospect of the Houthis taking control of Yemen. This way, the Russian Federation can pretend they did not support the resolution. In any case, arms embargo or not, the Houthis will get all the weapons they need within Yemen and from regional supporters. If Russia had used a veto, the GCC countries and their Western patrons would still impose their unilateral sanctions on the Houthis. Basically Russia loses nothing at all by abstaining from voting on this resolution. The situation in Yemen is not Russia’s fight, let the GCC countries and the Western powers sort out their own mess.
Same as with Bosnia! Henry Kissinger supports Servia and chetniks armed with everything Yugoslavia had while forcing arms embargo on Bosnians who had to defend with hunting and improvised weapons and also defend against other invader Vatican Croats . It is a miracle Bosnia still stands. Yemen will survive but not before their people are genocided and displaced around the world.
The Yemenis have a better chance. They already have good weapons and plenty of them. There are weapons everywhere. So they can capture a lot of weapons too. And the backdoor supply lines will still remain open. Sadly, this unofficial war business is a lot more organised now than it was when Yugoslavia broke up. The main reason for a UN resolution is for everyone to sort out who is on which side.
It gets interesting if the Saudis decide to use ground forces, as many of their ordinary soldiers are Yemenis on contract. They will not want to tg against their brothers.
Arms embargo on Izetbegovic? Only officially, and Iz. used it to play victim and demand U.S. bombing.
The Bosnian nation is a temporary U.S. creation.
At the time I was hearing the same BS: “they” want to “genocide” the Muslims in Bosnia.
Saker,
I wish you’d take a little more time to reflect on issues before writing. Remember your rush eulogising of Tsipras – followed by a dismissal only hours later? Now you see you were mistaken, I hope?
In the Yemen case, what do you think a veto would have achieved, if the “international community” – that is, the white races – and their Arab slaves have decided to destroy that country? And in any case, when was the last time a UNSC made any difference anywhere?
Also, surely you know that in the current over-excited state of the world, a veto is taken as an act of war, and unless you are prepared to back it with actual weapons, you had better not use it in the first place. For Russia, as I see these things, arms supplies or no arms supplies to Yemen is not worth opening another front in the war with the mad West. Selling weapons to Iran is, since this is important for Russia. Supporting Syria is, for the same reason. More importantly, there is Ukraine. Then the Victory Day celebrations, which cannot be jeopardised by opening yet another front? And there must be other battles on other fronts that are hidden from us…
In such dire straights, the Yemens and Libyas of this world must be left to God – and all the rest of the human family. Why should Russia be the only one to defend each and every member of the human family?
As for your slur on Putin’s honorability – accusing him of hypocrisy and cowardice – that’s what “the other guy did it” amounts to – this is simply disgraceful on your part. It is clear your understanding of politics at this level, and diplomacy and mental wars, etc., is less than adequate, but this deficiency is not sufficient to exonerate such statements: you have enough sense to measure the gap between your mental capacities and those of Putin, and be more sparing with your judgments.
Back in middle high school, I knew someone like that who kept on justifying why he had not asked a girl out. He had lots of explanations, but in the end he never asked the girl out (and eventually she went out with somebody else). We have all witnessed these kind of situations.
You can talk about higher intellect all you want, but the actions of a leader are going to be understood by the general population. In this case, just as in junior high :
– it is a missed opportunity
– it is was not the first time such an opportunity was missed
– none of the reasons / secret plans given above can make it any less of a shame
– trying to justify the missed opportunity adds insult to injury.
When you can’t say no, there’s no ifs and coulda and shoulda, you just can’t.
Regarding any Sun Tzu stuff like choosing your fight / your battleground, when it’s the third time you say “Uncle” (Yugoslavia & Lybia) it’s not about Sun Tzu anymore : it’s just that you can’t say “no”.
As for a machiavelic plan, there is none. You don’t achieve anything by caving in without a word.
“it’s just that you can’t say “no”.”
So its about Kant then?
Very disappointing – by their deeds shall ye know them. Maybe we need to think about what was going on when he went awol.
Semms Liberals in Moscow win on influence again.
1. this resolution explicitely forbids weapons support for Houthis and Saleh, it doesn’t say anything about Yemeni military, now since the military fights on side of the Houthis, you could just deliver weapons to them: the resolution doesn’t change anything
2. the resolution is quite obvious an aggressive act against the Houthis, they mustn’t do this and that, its all about the Houthis, but no word about Saudis bombing hospitals etc.;
since this is so obvious, it is more of a morale boost for the Houthis, they are treated unjust and gives them even more reason to fight the Sauds
3. the war is going very, very bad for the Sauds, it wouldn’t surprise me, if they soon had to face an attack on their own country;
considering that, the Russian decision looks like a trick, I’m sure there’s secret support through Iranian channels etc.
Russia is neutral in this conflict and does not want to be forced to take sides.
That is why there was no veto.
Dear The Saker,
Not surprisingly the Houthi’s see the resolution as a support of aggression:
http://tass.ru/en/world/789406
As the US, UK and Jordan put forward this draft the mask is very clearly falling off these aggressors and Al CIAda supporters. And that useless Ban Ki Moon wittering on about all sides upholding the resolution – good luck.
Rgds,
Veritas
UN Charter, Article 27
1. Each member of the Security Council shall have one vote.
2. Decisions of the Security Council on procedural matters shall be made by an affirmative vote of seven members.
3. Decisions of the Security Council on all other matters shall be made by an affirmative vote of seven members including the concurring votes of the permanent members…
In 1950, the USSR stepped out in protest of refusal to seat China; Molotov read the charter, and said, “Any decision requires the 5 permanents, so the Yanks are stuck.”
Truman laughed: “We’ll show the Russkis what their f..ing UN Charter is worth,” and ordered a UNSC vote for war on Korea—a few hours after Truman had ordered US entry into war.
After that, the corrupt UN practice has been to require a nyet. Legally, without Russia’s vote, the UNSC decision failed.
Russia does not have the ability to help the Houthis now, so why pretend? The Free World wants splendid little wars. The more little wars they have around the world, the less attention they can pay to the Ukraine; they might tire of so many wars, and we might avoid nuclear war.
Some contextual contribution or happenstance?
http://www.globalresearch.ca/the-six-too-big-to-fail-banks-in-the-u-s-have-278-trillion-dollars-of-exposure-to-derivatives/5442764
Dear Saker,
Your disappointment, although regrettable of course, makes you even more credible as a, I hope, neutral observer of the unfolding events.
Of course I have no first hand information, what the reasons for this decision on the Russian side are. Maybe it’s a cheap barter deal, like it is so usual in politics and diplomacy. And yes, in such barters there is often enough no morality or ethics. Just plain opportunism.
I really don’t want to soften the enthusiasm of anybody who is hoping for a better world through Russia’s and China’s actions. Maybe it becomes true. “God willing”, like you say. But I’m simply not sure. My great concern is, that Russia as China are both under control of the same occult Masonic forces, which control our history and destiny on this planet for at least 12.000 years (yes, Darwin has no explanations for this, simply because he was a useful idiot for exactly this circles).
If this is true, then we aren’t witnessing a turning point to something better in world history. Then we are observing a “phase-change”, a transition of power from one nation to another, but the puppet players stay the same.
If you are familiar with the occult foundation of the USA and the whole purposes of this project, than you know, that in the occult design of Washington DC, there is a hidden calendar. It starts with the year 1776 and ends in 2012. Exactly II years before the “expiration date” of this nation, the whole world witnessed the demolition of the II towers on the II’th of September. If you follow this hypothesis, than you could understand, that everything what America is doing, is to scare the whole world into Russia’s and China’s arms. It’s the old Hegelian dialectic, so loved by the Masons: If you have A & B and want to move the sheep from A to B, how to do it? Of course you have to increase the attractiveness of B. But what, if this isn’t enough to move the sheep to B? Simply exercise pressure from A and make thus A less attractive. If this is still not enough, then go for all and make them really fearing A, so that B seems the only way to save one’s life.
So without Americas insane behaviour, there would be no need for the Eurasian Union or BRICS or AIIB or SCO or…
In my honest opinion, what we are witnessing, has only on the surface to do with East vs West and the like. It’s a “game” in this Maya for the consciousness to awake. So the real game is ignorance vs consciousness.
Russia has always shown its backstabbing abilities many times through history. Maybe they will Ally with Muslims yes but it won’t be as friendly as sheikh imran makes it out to be.
Don’t agree Saker, but can understand your impulse – we all hope that Russia can save us from the demons, and will act ‘morally’ without self interest first. But I believe they actually have, as Rose Marie says. It’s important to note what Churkin said about Russian proposals to include in the resolution, being that ALL parties should be under embargo, and seeing as this is only actually the Saudi coalition at present, being supplied by the US even as the vote was taken, if the resolution had been as Russia said then they would have supported it. The other statements are equally bad, but then why would the Houthis take any notice ‘to withdraw from Sana’a? Or need to?
I think we should accept that a veto was simply not feasible for Russia, and besides Russia’s abstention has caused some waves in the Gulf media it appears.
Putin’s decision is indeed unconscionable. It simply allows for the conflict to continue, while at the same time crippling the Houthis. The decision to abstain is pure Russian cynicism and will prove to be a disaster for Putin.
I look at the videos coming in of severely burned Yemenis.
I see the Saudi Arabian military spokesperson do long speeches on Al Jazeera about how they are supposedly preventing Houthi terrorists from taking over the country.
The numbers of murdered civilians is climbing rapidly with the most terrible videos as evidence of Saudis War crimes, bombing the entire infrastructure of that extremely impoverished country.
The military videos of the air strikes & drone strikes resemble a bad video game.
Saudi Arabia, The USA & the UN are playing (not God) but rather the Anti Christ.
The USA is preparing and conditioning its own civilian populace for FEMA camps, Martial law & drone strikes.
Most US police departments over flooded with US military combat gear.
Warfare has now become remote control and compelling evidence points to “friendly Fire, collateral damage drone strikes coming to all neighborhoods near all of us.
It reminds me of what a German priest once (Philosophically) stated about opposing the Nazis.
I can understand your indignation, Saker, but honestly, this Jordanian resolution is a joke and could have become a trap for Russia, had it vetoed it.
Russia has little interest in Yemen these days. The Houthis rebels are not pro-russian and it would be foolish for Russia to veto this resolution. China, also has not vetoed the Jordanian resolution.
The war in Yemen is a sad reality and some closed allies of Russia (Egypt, notably) are member of the Arab coalition. The trap now is closing on Saudi Arabia. A war is extremely expensive and the price per barrel will go up which is good for Russia, Iran, Venezuela and others. At the end, there’s a lot of chance that Saudi Arabia will fail totally.
Ultimately, this is always the same debate : go everywhere now and risk to fail (Trotsky) or consolidate each gain before every other move (Stalin). To day, Russian analyst have chosen the second solution because their country need time to restructure its economy and modernize its armed forces.
Russia cannot afford the luxury to be impulsive or extremist. The very lives of 180 million of people are at stake and this means that it cannot do anything for Yemen except praying for these poor people…
“Your disappointment …. makes you even more credible as a, I hope, neutral observer of the unfolding events.” – Prometeus wrote, and I concur.
I’m without sufficient understanding of the Yemeni situation to judge the Russian vote. However, Churkin’s statement you quoted is apparently detached from reality.
How to understand that? Hm… What does that fact remind me of?
Two things:
a) It reminds me of the UN votings that recognized the illegal and brutal regime change in Libya. Those events showed me that the virtually the whole political elite across the whole planet is detached from the ordinary people’s realities. They, gathered in the UN, have become a caste that just provides a fig leaf for crimes. The resistance, insofar it appears, is going to come from other ways, not via official state channels.
b) Churkin’s statement also reminds me of my thoughts I expressed to Paul Craig Roberts:
‘Russians are condescending by cultural heritage. It was foreigners that founded their country, and it was foreign-inspired leaders like Peter the Great that developed it. They have complexes. I think that’s the best explanation for what we’re seeing in Russian foreign politics for quite some time.’
What many Russians consider “fine” or “nice” insidiously blends with the nightmarish.
“Very disappointing and rather frightening” indeed.
The Russians can make surprise moves nobody can comprehand. It’s so stuped, showes weakness and invite more bullying for them for sure.
Seeing such betrayal of important strugle for freedom from the Evil Epmire, one thinks of forgeting Russia and wish her perish.
I am afraid this is less news than you, Saker (nor anyone in his/her own senses), would like to believe. There is a long thread of “wait for the worst” to come in Russian diplomacy, which can be traced in the end as far back as to the early 30s when the great danger posed by Hitler was diminished to the point that parties who enjoyed Russian support in Germany were suggested (in the Stalin mood) to break with the then so-called Social Fascists against the National Socialists, with consequences too heavy for us to fathom (and this is not hindsight with the newspaper of the next day: many considered this unbelievable). The current Russian diplomacy still believes Yalta Agreements to be worthy pieces of paper. They have NEVER been such.
as far as I remember the US military lost track of half a billon dollars worth of military equipment in Yemen, hence it is awash with weapons, as Churkin said, meaning: nothing to sell there. so now you see what’s under the helmet of the white knight of international law, the face of a weapons dealer.
donbass is awash with weapons, therefore: i dont care anymore.
The deciding factor may not be weapons, but water (and fuel for pumps), and food.
Recall that the US deliberately target water supplies, and similar infrastructure, in Iraq and Lybia.
(See Professor Thomas Nagy — http://www.voltairenet.org/article187299.html and similar — http://www.casi.org.uk/info/nagy010612.pdf )
Recall that the US bombed the Libyan ‘great underground river’. (just try to find THAT with google — down the memory hole)
your posts usually think long term so this one is a bit odd. i get your disappointment but at the same time i would separate russian policy in general from russian UN policy.
they probably would love to see the saudis get their own afghanistan after dealing with wahhabi scum from the former coming to the latter to kill russian for several years (the name “bin laden” comes to mind). also the recent plunge in oil prices, an obvious and thuggish attack against russia and iran via the saudi’s inordinate control (relative to their actual output) of global prices.
or it could just be another case of “maybe THIS time they won’t mistake kindness for weakness”. lots of that coming from the kremlin lately considering the US is foaming at the mouth to bomb or “color revolution” every possible competitor into submission.
once again, it’s a UN thing and they’re useless. i would have loved to see russia veto it if possible but the UN has no actual say on weapons moving around. if they did, where were they when supplies and arms were being lavished upon daesh for the past few years under the guise of “helping those poor syrian ‘rebels'”?
Dear Saker
I think you’re a little bit naieve, thinking that Medvedev wanted to allow the Libyan intervention while Putin was vehemently opposing it?!
This was done as an act of sacrifise, perhaps USA warned of the consequences of not allowing them to destroy Libya? Merely speculating right now… Perhaps Russia had nothing to gain from Libya whereas it has everything to lose in Syria. Hence why they can lose Libya and hoped for Syria to be able to restore itself by the time they were done bombing Libya. But Bashar failed to do something Gadaffi would have been able to do in less then 3 weeks was it not for NATO carpet bombing the living crap out of Libya. This is why they rushed Libya, they knew in advance that arming rebels would be a disaster, as Gadaffi has, UNLIKE ASSAD, 4decades of rebels revolting against him with US assistance or UK intelligence trying to assasinate Gadaffi.
It’s quite disturbing to see your analysis break down as the following as Medvedev: stupid decision maker and Putin: almighty and wise decision maker.
By now you should know that both Medvedev and Putin don’t have any real knowledge of politics but the leading think tanks in Moscow that advise the Kremlin are the ones who analyze the situation in favor of Russia.
As for Yemen; Russia knows what the game plan is, the issue is it has nothing to gain from Yemen aswell. So it’s picking its battles, using Libya and now Yemen as proof that USA/Saudi only stand for meddling and chaos next time they want to use a resolution for Syria or Ukraine when they used Libya in the UNSC as a prime example of how the West obliterated a stable nation.
Saudi Arabia doesn’t stand a chance one on one against Yemeni resistance! Saudi armed forces have the highest percentage of homosexual soldiers in the entire MENA (!) I am using this fact to point out that Saudi Arabia’s armed forces are weak and they couldn’t even leave their posts without supervision. And Saudi armed forces aren’t known to be brave fighters, they have had their behinds handled to them several time by Yemeni resistance fighters (which doesn’t comprise of only Shias)
It’s too late for Abdullah al Saleh to switch allegiances and join an anti-USA and anti-Israel/Saudi Arabia alliance! HE lost the game where he was used as a pawn!
“Russia has a pagan culture rooted in the
land, west a judeo one rooted in being
special.”
Inaccurate and sweeping. I think Russia is indeed ‘rooted in the land’ but not as a result of some ill-defined ‘pagan cultur,’ though it may influence attachment.
That attachment is by no means exclusive to Russia: The Basque Country, Scotland, Ireland and, outside of metropolitan Par-ree, France are all similarly rooted. The reason is closer to folk memory of famine and displacement.
The Scots cotters were cleared from their centuries-old holdings for profit by the Anglo-Scots lairds.
The Irish lost half their population -4 million – not down to potato blight, – there was plenty of grain – but because the grain continued to be exported and the shortages pushed prices beyond the majority of the rural poor. Although there had been centuries of sporadic uprisings against repressive laws, this was the catalyst to independence in 1916 , though including the running sore that was Partition (Northern Ireland – mainly the East.)
The Basques of course are famous for their resistance to assimilation. They belong to a language group that is unique to the European continent. I am sure the Pyrenees played a strong role in shaping the Basque character: mountainous terrain is not yielding.
Some forget the French Revolution was not a ‘colour revolution’: Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite mattered heck of a lot less than bread. ‘Let them eat cake ‘ – whether or not the unfortunate Marie Antoinette ever uttered the eponymous phrase – was bound to inflame the abundant and starving poor of Paris. The bread riots really ignited the revolution. So, before you think ‘Escoffier’, check out ‘Jean de Florette’. The Irish version of the same theme is ‘The Field.’ Without the land, we starve.
Incidentally, wasn’t Putin’s father a chef?
@the French Revolution was not a ‘colour revolution
Indeed it was a “tricolor” revolution. It was nevertheless hatched in Masonic lodges with their center in London.
Yemen passed its peak oil a decade ago, and now its exports, once based on oil, have collapsed. The country also suffers a vicious drought, and its fresh water sources are disappearing. There is no easy solution, and Russia alone can do no miracles there. It would be advisable for the US and other powers to stop the violence and broker some sort of peaceful solution. Otherwise, and as the Arabian Peninsula passes its peak oil, the zone of conflict will grow, the cancer will spread and wreck havoc to the whole Red Sea straights.
I would say this is linked to oil prices. There was a high level meet between Russian and Saudi officials a few days ago. What’s the bet that there was an agreement between the two the the Russians would stand by on Yemen if the Saudi’s lift the oil price, especially with the oil price now rising again.
I am not surprised at all to find that almost everybody is defending the action as another proof of Putin’s pragmatism and realism.
The truth remains that Russia has given to the US and the KSA carte blanche for ethnic cleansing in Yemen, the very same way that allowed for regime change in Lybia, and has offered what can only be described as tepid support for Iran and Syria.
Needless to say that none of these actions have strenghten Russia’s position, and it perhaps could be argued that they might have invited the US to test Russia in its own neighborhood.
Russia is still in search for her own style of Diplomacy…
“it can be argued, was the beginning of the end of CCCP.”
Some do argue that as you are aware, whilst others at the time saw it as a contributor to, and facilitator of, the end of the SSSR.
Some argue that the beginning of the end of SSSR was November 1917 when the “Bolsheviks” awarded themselves special rations, and some others the London conference of the Russian Social Democratic Party in 1903.
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article41588.htm#.VTGD78Q842w.facebook
An exceptionalist getting nervous?
http://www.thenation.com/article/204209/why-we-must-return-us-russian-parity-principle
Americans will learn the hard way that their covert wars and belligerence will be exposed and answered–including with a nuclear inferno in the belly of the American Beast if the USA keeps on provoking Russia.
A recent report about the fight for Yemen from inside the warzone by Safa Al Ahmad, aired 04/07/2015 in the U.S only: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIntYSKaFYQ
Saludos desde Argentina
I fully agree with you. it leaves me speechless…and I don’t see the rationale behind it.
Houthis are in many ways very similar to so called Taliban in Afghanistan.
They are not a group created by someone but a representation of popular uprising.
Thus they do not have good command and control or diplomatic organizations.
Thus the Houthis are not allied with Russia for this moment.
The bombing of Russian consulate and subsequent ransacking of that building that was attributed to Houthis may have let Russia to have no choice but to agree to UNSC resolution.
Russian may know that it could all be false flag etc. But that is not how UNSC works.
Russians are still gullible about world affairs and are in defensive mode.
They have actually stated that the ban on arming should cover all parties. (That means Saudi and Allies too). But again, that is not how the corrupted UNSC works. Russia is just a bit player in this game. Saudi has a strong presence. Yemen is now run by the people. no Government exist for now.
I can only hope that Russians wake to the reality of the world.
And I can only hope that Russian thru Iranians are quietly supplying what the people of Yemen needs.
I think you are letting your emotions get the better of your analysis on this one Saker.
It does look like an attempt to spring a diplomatic trap on Russia and one that Russia has no need to walk into.
The Yemen shares few factors with Libya, save one critical factor; both countries are too far away from Russia and allies to be able to exert significant influence on the situation.
The calculus has to to be that:
a) Problems in Yemen relieve pressure against Syria and Iran and actually creates encirclement of Saudi Arabia through its own misdeeds.
b) The arms embargo is largely meaningless as the Houthi’s are not recognised leaders of a Sovereign State and so not eligible to buy weapons on open State to State EUC.
This sort of weapons required here are easy to obtain through clandestine supply.
There is also I suspect, the further calculus that any disruption of Oil Supplies shipped through the Gulf of Aden will only serve to increase the global Oil Price and that this is not undesirable to Moscow.
At first I had the very same reaction as did the Saker. But one thing I found curious — the fact that the Chinese could have (presumably) vetoed with impunity. (By the way, someone somewhere mentioned that an abstention by a permanent Security Counsel member technically has the same effect as a veto.)
This got me to looking at the whole thing very differently. It’s not just these Houthis, but the other half of the Yemeni population (Salafis, IIRC, and these two groups seem to get along) that have it in for the fat Saudi royals. And it really looks to me like these Yemenis could simply march into Saudi Arabia and give the royals the boot.
Then what?
Then… a whole lot of things. Maybe oil goes from $40 to $300 a barrel. Surely not a very good outcome for China. And the US, EU, and Japan economies might simply disintegrate, which could lead to “instabilities.” And who knows what could happen?
If these things could result, maybe the Russians and Chinese have some rather serious reasons to apply the brakes to this process. Ya think?