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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 9-Apr-2014
9-Apr-14 World View -- Russia and U.S. exchange accusations as east Ukraine unrest escalates

Web Log - April, 2014

9-Apr-14 World View -- Russia and U.S. exchange accusations as east Ukraine unrest escalates

Ebola continues to 'evolve rapidly' in Guinea and Liberia

This morning's key headlines from GenerationalDynamics.com

Russia and U.S. exchange accusations as east Ukraine unrest escalates
Ebola continues to 'evolve rapidly' in Guinea and Liberia
Kerry blames Israel, but hopes Mideast peace talks will continue

Russia and U.S. exchange accusations as east Ukraine unrest escalates

Violence is escalating in large cities in east Ukraine, along the border with Russia, where pro-Russian protesters have stormed and looted government buildings, demanding secession from Ukraine to become part of the Russian federation. According to Ukraine's Security Service, separatists armed with explosives and other weapons were holding 60 people hostage.

Russia blamed the increasing violence on American mercenaries:

We are particularly concerned that the operation involves some 150 American mercenaries from a private company Greystone Ltd., dressed in the uniform of the [Ukrainian] special task police unit Sokol. Organizers and participants of such incitement are assuming a huge responsibility for threatening upon the rights, freedoms and lives of Ukrainian citizens as well as the stability of Ukraine."

Russia is also accusing Ukraine's government in Kiev of trying to start a civil war.

It turns out that Greystone used to be an affiliate of Blackwater and may or may not have provided security services in Russia or Ukraine. Reports of Greystone working in Ukraine are unconfirmed.

Secretary of State John Kerry, testifying before the Senate on Tuesday, called the situation by Russia to "create a contrived crisis":

"And everything that we’ve seen in the last 48 hours from Russian provocateurs and agents operating in eastern Ukraine tells us that they’ve been sent there determined to create chaos. And that is absolutely unacceptable. These efforts are as ham-handed as they are transparent, frankly. And quite simply, what we see from Russia is an illegal and illegitimate effort to destabilize a sovereign state and create a contrived crisis with paid operatives across an international boundary engaged in this initiative.
Russia’s clear and unmistakable involvement in destabilizing and engaging in separatist activities in the east of Ukraine is more than deeply disturbing. No one should be fooled, and believe me, no one is fooled by what could potentially be a contrived pretext for military intervention just as we saw in Crimea. It is clear that Russian special forces and agents have been the catalyst behind the chaos of the last 24 hours. Some have even been arrested and exposed. And equally as clear must be the reality that the United States and our allies will not hesitate to use 21st-century tools to hold Russia accountable for 19th-century behavior. We have stated again and again that our preference – and the preference of our friends and allies – is de-escalation and a diplomatic solution. But Russia should not for a single solitary second mistake the expression of that preference as an unwillingness to do what is necessary to stop any violation of the international order."

What's interesting about this statement is the sharply escalating rhetoric on the American side. For months, Kerry has been following Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov around like a little puppy begging for a bone, and has been fooled every time. So the administration is now changing to a new hardline approach, with the old "reset button" approach completely abandoned.

From the point of view of Generational Dynamics, this illustrates how nationalism is increasing in this generational Crisis era, even in the United States. It's a small incremental increase to be sure, but it's a part of a continuing trend of increasing nationalism in countries around the world. Russia Today and ABC News and Dept. of State

Ebola continues to 'evolve rapidly' in Guinea and Liberia

The World Health Organization (WHO) is describing this as one of the most challenging situations they've ever faced. Ebola continues to spread rapidly in Guinea and Liberia, with 178 suspected cases, 106 confirmed, resulting in 111 deaths in the two countries. Spread of the virus has was given a boost when it spread last week to Conakry, the overcrowded capital city of Guinea. From there, it's spread to widely dispersed regions, and can't be contained. Cases have been reported in Sierra Leone, Mali and Ghana, but none has been confirmed. There has been some panic as, on Friday, an angry mob attacked an Ebola treatment center in Conakry, accusing the staff from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF, Doctors without Borders) of bringing the disease to the town and spreading it. WHO is advising people to stay calm, though is warning that controlling the outbreak could take months. CNN

Kerry blames Israel, but hopes Mideast peace talks will continue

Speaking before the Senate, Secretary of State John Kerry said that the Mideast "peace talks" collapsed when Israel refused to release the fourth batch of prisoners who had been convicted of terrorist acts prior to the 1994 Oslo accords. However, he still hoped that negotiations would continue. "It is stopped. Recognize reality!" said Republican Sen. John McCain. AP

(Comments: For reader comments, questions and discussion, see the 9-Apr-14 World View -- Russia and U.S. exchange accusations as east Ukraine unrest escalates thread of the Generational Dynamics forum. Comments may be posted anonymously.) (9-Apr-2014) Permanent Link
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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 9-Apr-2014 9-Apr-14 World View -- Russia and U.S. exchange accusations as east Ukraine unrest escalates

Russia and U.S. exchange accusations as east Ukraine unrest escalates

Ebola continues to 'evolve rapidly' in Guinea and Liberia

Kerry blames Israel, but hopes Mideast peace talks will continue

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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 9-Apr-2014
9-Apr-14 World View -- Russia and U.S. exchange accusations as east Ukraine unrest escalates