World War 3 expands into Europe and awakens the Russian Bear:

World War 3 expands into Europe and awakens the Russian Bear: The next stage in the oil wars

Due to some technical difficulties there have been delays in presenting certain information in the wrap-up of politics and economics, so I’ve decided to skip a few specifics and go directly to two steps before the end.

Remembering History:
Usually there are disagreements as to the exact dates of beginnings of conflicts, especially when those conflicts are global.

“Which act lit the spark on the tinderbox? Which straw was the final one? Like peak oil itself, the beginnings of war are often visible only in retrospect.”

For example, some would argue that World War II began in 1939 with the German invasion of Poland. Others would pick the 1931 Japanese invasion of Manchuria or maybe even the 1933 Reichstag Fire.

The only consensus regarding World War II is that it was devastating.

What is Happening at the Present:
True to the old proverb “If We Don't Learn Our History, We're Doomed to Repeat It” - As it was with World War II, so it appears with World War III.

Many, including George Bush, believe that 911 was the start of World War III. The nominees for this title are plentiful; Afghanistan, Iraq I, Iraq II, Syria, Jerusalem, etc..

The beginning of World War III could have also been triggered by the establishment of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, or the opening of Iran’s Oil Bourse which is hastening the collapse of the US Petrodollar.

click to enlarge - source - 23 April 2008 data

There is also the belief that World War III maybe less so an attack on a certain country or a people as it is a war between corporate governments and their citizenry.

However, if you are still undecided as to the exact start date of World War III given the above choices, then how about picking 8 August 2008 when the war between Russia and Georgia began? This date will surely be considered by many historians to be the beginning of World War III since it means that the current wars in Africa and Asia have now spilled over into the European continent.

Why Russia and Georgia are at war:
There are many reasons why Russia and Georgia are at war, but as it was with Afghanistan and Iraq, oil and proposed oil and gas pipelines standout as the primary one.

click to enlarge - source

The reasons for such a war however are a moot point. What is important is who benefits from this, who is orchestrating it, and what will be the end result?

The first part is easy, the only benefactors of wars are corporations. As for the second part, according to Russian officials “it was the USA that orchestrated the current conflict”, while the Georgian Minister has personally thanked Israel for what is happening. And the third, the end result of such a conflict can only bring about the expansion of World War III and everything that it entails. What else could possibly be the final outcome when two of the most powerful militaries of the world clash, one directly and the other through a client State.

It should be becoming clear that the implications of what is happening are unfathomable.

What the Future Holds:
At the beginning of this year, after reading the news that thousands of Pakistanis had fled into Afghanistan due to the security situation deteriorating in Pakistan I wrote a piece called “What the Future Holds: It’s much worse than your worst nightmare.” This article summarized our current situation at the time and laid forth an argument that we are in essence at the beginning stages of a full-blown world war.

A few recent important events have taken place since that summary was written, such as: Israeli jets using Iraqi airspace in preparation for an attack on Iran, Iran opening their Oil Bourse and totally removing US dollars in their countries oil transactions, at least nine banks failing in the US and UK so far in 2008, Blackwater mercenaries being used on American soil for raids by the US Federal Government, conflict between NATO and American forces and the Taliban in Afghanistan swelling, Dick Cheney preparing US allies for a nuclear war, Sistani issuing Fatwas against US Troops, and George Bush receiving four hundred million dollars for covert operations in Iran to destabilize the country which for all intents and purposes is an act of war.

So what awaits us in the future? From this perspective there is only one answer, the proliferation of war.

Below is the updated summary that was posted at the beginning of this year. It is more relevant today than it was a few months ago.