By Vestnik Kavkaza
Independent American media resource RINF is asking today whether the United States and NATO are preparing for war with Russia. The incredible hypocrisy of Washington's show of power on the one hand is saying that the only aspiration of country’s administration is peace in the world, but at the same time there is an endless war against all nations that are not under America's power, and the number of vassal states, whose resources are looted with their acquiescence, is growing every day. However, the world still has countries that can challenge US foreign policy both in military and economic terms, and those are Russia and China.
Of course, America's leadership understands that in these two countries it has a serious opponent, which is why Washington is trying to put pressure on Japan and other Asian nations in order to set them against China. In addition, the already planned expansion of the US military presence in the region is frightening. An increasing number of NATO troops are on the territory close to the border with Russia, of course, can not but aggravate relations between the two nuclear superpowers.
In late April, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that in relation to Russia "a strong collective alliance" is needed – is this really a signal to prepare for a military confrontation? The threat from Moscow, which American diplomats and Western media are speaking about, does not really exist. Russia does not threaten anyone. There is no evidence of military aggression by Russia, neither in Ukraine nor in any other region, in contrast to the hundreds of US soldiers operating in Ukraine. Washington provides Kiev with heavy weapons, and accuses Moscow of aggression.
Already it is clear that the threat to the world is the United States, and numerous provocations of the country's leadership, which can cause a direct confrontation. But in fact, Moscow is the only peacemaker on the continent.
The business publication Forbes writes that Russia is brave at a time when all are in fear. Despite the current unstable background, Russia still remains one of the world's economic leaders. Even the attempts being made by the United States to create a major enemy from Moscow after the events of last March does not hurt the economy, despite the desire of the Western powers. However, due to the attempts by the Russian leadership and confident planning of the economy, the country is able to attract direct investment, despite the sanctions. In fact, the situation in Russia now is much better than during the crisis of 2008-2009.
Despite the bad news about the sanctions and a general lack of consumer confidence, the purchasing capacity of Russians has not decreased, but thanks to a new region, the Crimea, turnover has increased. While the Western media writes about the villain Vladimir Putin, he confidently runs the country, bringing it out of the crisis by acquiring new partners and paying no attention to criticism. Despite the countries which refused to cooperate with Moscow, it became possible sanctions, the national currency becomes stronger, and the only thing which remains for Europe and the United States is to continue to bully their populations.
The UK publication The Week writes today that the friendship between the US and Iran is more a desire than a reality. The participating countries, negotiating with all the forces, are trying to bring about the signing of an agreement on the Iranian nuclear program, but it's not easy to do, when in fact not all the parties are interested in a peaceful settlement of the question.
However, it seems that nothing can stop the optimism of Zarif, the Minister of Foreign Affairs. According to the diplomat, the agreement must be signed, and the sanctions lifted before there is a possibility, though even the disapproval of Congress cannot stop it. If the nuclear deal goes through, further convergence of the US and Iran is possible. But, in fact, it is rather a strategic partnership than an economic one. Common threats unite more than common interests. Iran is interested in the preservation of Shiite power in Iraq, while the US is looking for an ally in the Middle East.
But at the same time, America is afraid that if the sanctions against Iran are lifted, then the country will become the most powerful state in the region and the United States will lose its already shaky influence in Yemen and Iraq. That is why the future agreement on the Iranian issue remains unclear.
