Geopolitical Risk Theater Links—Ukraine Elections, Nato’s Claim: Russian Troop Build Up, Unraveling US Strategy versus ISIS? and more…

Updates on the geopolitical risk theater

1 Ukraine crisis: President Poroshenko's threat after rebel polls, BBC.com November 4, 2014

US double standard on Ukraine...2 Daniel McAdams In Ukraine, A Tale of Two Elections Ron Paul Institute November 1, 2014

The US government loves to “promote democracy” overseas, often at the barrel of a gun. Strangely enough, however, it often “deplores” actual elections being held in such places. Take Ukraine, for example. An election held last week by a group that forcibly seized power from a legitimately-elected government was hailed by the US administration as a great democratic achievement…

However in eastern Ukraine, which refused to recognize February’s US-backed coup in the western part of the country, parliamentary and presidential elections scheduled for tomorrow are scorned and even “deplored” by the US administration.

3 NATO: Russia Moves Troops Closer To Ukraine Border Reuters.com November 4, 2014

Russia has moved troops closer to the border with Ukraine and continues to support rebels in the country's east, NATO's chief said on Tuesday, after an election held by the pro-Russian separatists and condemned by Kiev and Western leaders.

Ukraine's president said Sunday's vote flouted terms of a plan to end a war that has killed more than 4,000 people, and that newly formed army units would be sent to defend a string of eastern cities against a possible new rebel offensive.

4 Russia snubs nuclear security meeting Guardian.com November 4, 2014

5 Russia test-fires Topol-M intercontinental ballistic missile November 1, 2014

6 The Secret Life of an ISIS Warlord Daily Beast October 27, 2014

Abu Omar al-Shishani has a fierce, gorgeous Chechen bride. He learned intelligence operations from the U.S. And his older brother may be the real genius of ISIS.

7. Iraq Confirms ISIS Massacre of Sunni Tribe Time.com November 4, 2014

8 Inside Kobane: First pictures from the Syrian front line battle between Kurds and Islamists emerge after ISIS reveal images of their fighters within the city Daily Mail November 4, 2014

Despite superior airpower… 9. Pentagon denies US strategy to defeat Isis is unravelling Guardian.com November 4, 2014

The Pentagon has denied that the US strategy against Islamic State (Isis) is in disarray after a series of setbacks as the war known as Operation Inherent Resolve stretches into its fourth month.

10 Russia Weaponizes The Arctic: Will Build 13 Airfields And 10 Radar Stations To Meet "Unwelcome Guests" Zero Hedge October 27, 2014

11 Al-Qaeda reportedly seizes US anti-tank rockets after defeating rival Syrian rebels RT.com November 3, 2014

12 China unveils anti-drone laser weapon able to shoot down 'small aircraft' within 5 seconds RT.com November 3, 2014 (bold mine)

China has developed and successfully tested a highly accurate laser defense system against light drones. The homemade machine boasts a two-kilometer range and can down "various small aircraft" within five seconds of locating its target.

Boasting high speed, great precision and low noise, the system is aimed at destroying unmanned, small-scale drones flying under an altitude of 500 meters and at speeds below 50 meters per second, the official Xinhua news agency reported, citing a statement by one of the developers, the China Academy of Engineering Physics (CAEP).

13 Even the Portuguese Air Force has intercepted and photographed Russian bombers wandering across Europe Aviationist November 2, 2014

14 Why are two Russian Il-78 Midas tankers deployed to Egypt? Are Moscow’s bombers heading to the Mediterranean Sea? Aviationist November 3, 2014

Was it just a practice for future missions or perhaps the Russians are intending to route Tu-95MS Bear Hs into the Mediterranean?

If so, maybe we are going to see some shots of the Russian bombers as those taken by the Italian air force pilots during their Cold War intercepts.

15 Iran: U.S. Is Still ‘Number One Enemy Freebeacon.com November 2, 2014

The United States remains “the great Satan” and Iran’s “number one enemy,” Iranian military and defense officials said over the weekend in statements that also called for “the prosecution, trial, and punishment of the White House.”

The inflammatory comments, released over the weekend by Iran’s Defense Ministry and the Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), come as nuclear negotiations between the United States and Iran reach a critical juncture.