NEWSLINK: A fearful new world, imperiled by Russia’s subterfuge

Map of Commonwealth of Independent States, European Portion

[“A fearful new world, imperiled by Russia’s subterfuge” – Anne Applebaum – Washington Post –  April 17, 2014]

The Washington Post covers Russia’s reported involvement in Ukraine, including the role of Russia special forces and military intelligence:

… So far, the Russian invasion of eastern Ukraine looks nothing like these battles. This war involves not soldiers but local thugs and volunteers, some linked to the ex-president, Viktor Yanukovych, some from criminal gangs and some who mistakenly think they are fighting for some form of benign local autonomy.

They are being led not by officers in uniform but by men from Russian military intelligence and special forces, some wearing camouflage without insignia, some communicating with “activists” by telephone. They are supplied with Russian logistics and a few Russian automatic weapons, but for the most part not tanks or planes. There is no ‘shock and awe’ bombing campaign, just systematic, organized attacks on police stations, city councils, airports.

There also is concern over a combination of physical incursions with methods involving “slick modern media:”

This combination – old-fashioned Sovietization plus slick modern media – is genuinely new, so much so that it’s fair to say we are witnessing a new kind of war, and a new kind of invasion. …

… now Europe, the United States and above all the Ukrainians need to learn to cope with masked warfare – the Russian term is maskirovka – … designed to confuse not just opponents but also the opponents’ potential allies. … the West urgently needs to rethink … military, energy and financial strategies toward Russia. But more specific new policies will also be needed to fight the masked invasions that may follow in Moldova or, in time, the Baltic States if this one succeeds.

The author also voices support for international broadcasting efforts in a new “war of words:”

Americans and Europeans should begin to rethink the funding and governance of our international broadcasters in order to counter the new war of words. We should also begin to reinforce the local police forces of the states that border the new Russian empire…

Click here to read “A fearful new world, imperiled by Russia’s subterfuge

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