Russian Military Bases Abroad

ZoA wrote:Sudan is too far, and not really relevant for Russia's defence. Also I very much doubt expenses of establishing, maintaining and defending such far of base could be  justified with any potential economic gains. Sudan and region around it is extremely politicly unstable and  involving Russia in it possibly might not be the wisest decision.

Sudan would be better of dealing with China that has much bigger economic presence and interests in Africa. Most likely it would be overstretch for Russia to make any commitment to Sudan at this time or in the near future.

miketheterrible wrote:

ZoA wrote:Sudan is too far, and not really relevant for Russia's defence. Also I very much doubt expenses of establishing, maintaining and defending such far of base could be  justified with any potential economic gains. Sudan and region around it is extremely politicly unstable and  involving Russia in it possibly might not be the wisest decision.

Sudan would be better of dealing with China that has much bigger economic presence and interests in Africa. Most likely it would be overstretch for Russia to make any commitment to Sudan at this time or in the near future.

You don't expand yourself by sitting in one place. Having facilities that can be dual purpose is exonomic feasible for Russia to be in Sudan. As well, once there, they can expand their presence as well as influence. Sudan is a good prospect for weapon sales and economic development especially energy.

A Darfurian at work just came back this week from his trip back home through capital and then to his village in Darfurian. He said it was very peaceful now since military stopped their incursion into Darfur and is now developing well, after South Sudan left.  So Sudan is rather more stable than you think.  Add to it, the only major problem they have is with Ethiopia and their plans for the dam. But now rumor from my coworker states that US is attempting to smuggle weapons to various potential insurgence in Darfur so things can heat up again.

This is were Russia can thrive.

Look at Syria, now Russian companies are getting lucrative deals in energy development, infrastructure, agriculture, etc.  This wouldn't be case if Russia didn't assist and build those bases.

miketheterrible wrote:

ZoA wrote:Sudan is too far, and not really relevant for Russia's defence. Also I very much doubt expenses of establishing, maintaining and defending such far of base could be  justified with any potential economic gains. Sudan and region around it is extremely politicly unstable and  involving Russia in it possibly might not be the wisest decision.

Sudan would be better of dealing with China that has much bigger economic presence and interests in Africa. Most likely it would be overstretch for Russia to make any commitment to Sudan at this time or in the near future.

You don't expand yourself by sitting in one place. Having facilities that can be dual purpose is exonomic feasible for Russia to be in Sudan. As well, once there, they can expand their presence as well as influence. Sudan is a good prospect for weapon sales and economic development especially energy.

A Darfurian at work just came back this week from his trip back home through capital and then to his village in Darfurian. He said it was very peaceful now since military stopped their incursion into Darfur and is now developing well, after South Sudan left.  So Sudan is rather more stable than you think.  Add to it, the only major problem they have is with Ethiopia and their plans for the dam. But now rumor from my coworker states that US is attempting to smuggle weapons to various potential insurgence in Darfur so things can heat up again.

This is were Russia can thrive.

Look at Syria, now Russian companies are getting lucrative deals in energy development, infrastructure, agriculture, etc.  This wouldn't be case if Russia didn't assist and build those bases.

SeigSoloyvov wrote:

miketheterrible wrote:

ZoA wrote:Sudan is too far, and not really relevant for Russia's defence. Also I very much doubt expenses of establishing, maintaining and defending such far of base could be  justified with any potential economic gains. Sudan and region around it is extremely politicly unstable and  involving Russia in it possibly might not be the wisest decision.

Sudan would be better of dealing with China that has much bigger economic presence and interests in Africa. Most likely it would be overstretch for Russia to make any commitment to Sudan at this time or in the near future.

You don't expand yourself by sitting in one place. Having facilities that can be dual purpose is exonomic feasible for Russia to be in Sudan. As well, once there, they can expand their presence as well as influence. Sudan is a good prospect for weapon sales and economic development especially energy.

A Darfurian at work just came back this week from his trip back home through capital and then to his village in Darfurian. He said it was very peaceful now since military stopped their incursion into Darfur and is now developing well, after South Sudan left.  So Sudan is rather more stable than you think.  Add to it, the only major problem they have is with Ethiopia and their plans for the dam. But now rumor from my coworker states that US is attempting to smuggle weapons to various potential insurgence in Darfur so things can heat up again.

This is were Russia can thrive.

Look at Syria, now Russian companies are getting lucrative deals in energy development, infrastructure, agriculture, etc.  This wouldn't be case if Russia didn't assist and build those bases.

From an economic standpoint, there isn't much money to be made from a move like this. Sudan cannot afford much, it has little natural resources that would be of use to Russia that they don't already have loads of.

This move would grant them a permanent presence in Africa at least for a good 50 or so years. It would give Russia, a lot of trade passes into the Red sea this would allow Russia some access to that. They are many other small benefits but the biggest one is simple.

A warm water port Naval base. Something Russia has desired for decades and would love to have access to.

Here’s Why Russia Might Set Up A Red Sea Base In Sudan

Long-serving Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir invited the Russian military into his country during his historic visit to Moscow last week, stating that Sudan needs protection from an American Hybrid War plot to “Balkanize” his rump state into five separate ones following the 2011 secession of South Sudan. In the course of the conversation, he also said that Sudan is requesting Russian assistance in upgrading its armed forces, and that the geostrategically positioned state could function as Moscow’s “key to Africa” if the two sides decide to take their partnership to the strategic level. Sudan’s location is indeed a pivotal one because it’s located at the intersection of North and East Africa, and it also has crucial maritime-mainland connectivity potential due to its location on the western shores of the Red Sea and China’s New Silk Road plan to build a trans-Saharan railway from Port Sudan to the Chadian capital of N’Djamena in eventually facilitating trade between West Africa and the People’s Republic via this future route.

Another point of geopolitical significance in favor of a potential Russian base in Sudan is that Khartoum is advantageously located between the rival states of Egypt and Ethiopia and therefore in the most logical role to mediate between them. The inclusion of Russia into this format could endow Moscow with the unparalleled potential to “balance” between them and their feuding GCC partners, seeing as how the “Gulf Cold War” has recently spread to the Horn of Africa through the pro-Egyptian UAE’s military deployments in Eritrea and the self-declared statelet of “Somaliland” while Qatar has succeeded in patching up its relationship with Ethiopia, all of which is centered on Addis Ababa’s ambitious plans to build a controversial dam on the Blue Nile river. Through its prospectively enhanced partnership with Sudan, Russia could therefore manage to mediate not only between Egypt and Ethiopia, but also the UAE and Qatar as well, thereby fulfilling the 21st-century “balancing” role being advanced by the “progressive” faction of Moscow’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The setting up of a base in Sudan would therefore allow Russia to complement its rapprochement with Saudi Arabia by giving it a regional stake in this new theater of the “Gulf Cold War” between the Kingdom’s allies and Qatar, as well as enable it to competitively reenter the realm of African affairs following its rapid retreat at the end of the Old Cold War. Russia would in essence be expanding its post-“Arab Spring” influence in North Africa further south along the Red Sea in approaching East Africa, which provides a strategic gateway to eventually embracing Ethiopia and establishing a presence along China’s Sahelian-Saharan Silk Road to West Africa. All in all, it would make perfect sense if Russia followed through on President Bashir’s proposal and built a base in Sudan, as this would be a very low-cost but high-yield move that strategically embodies a win-win outcome for the Multipolar World Order.

MOSCOW, December 26. /TASS/. Russia’s Federation Council (upper house) approved on Tuesday the ratification of an agreement between Russia and Syria on expanding the naval facility near the port city of Tartus, making it a full-fledged naval base.

MOSCOW, December 26. /TASS/. Russia has started forming a permanent grouping of forces at the Tartus naval facility and the Hmeymim airbase in Syria, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said at a conference call on Tuesday.

ATLASCUB wrote:Hardware movement within your own borders a "response"...

A bad day at the propaganda office I suppose.

Hole wrote:Cuba is closer to  

Isos wrote:

If they get the island they don't need to stabilize anything. Just send the army their occupy the island if needed just need to sign a contract for 99 years while Maduro is still worth something like USA did in Cuba for guantanamo.

GunshipDemocracy wrote:

Hole wrote:Cuba is closer to  

Caracas Miami 2,200kms. Gzur rsange 1,500km. But you need to stabilize Venezuelan economy first.

miketheterrible wrote:

Actually, the base could be a good economic benefit for Venezuela. The Russian base would need fuel, food, other utilities, etc. And then they (Russia) would have to pay rent.

In this case, can be good financial flow.

miketheterrible wrote:Agreed. But one of the islands mentioned earlier would be ideal.