About the Schirach Report
The Schirach Report provides up to date, focused analysis on key US and international political, economic and security issues.
Mar 14
7
With A Forced Referendum On Joining Russia, The Crimea Crisis Gets Worse
Putin could have got most of what he wanted through diplomacy. But now it seems that he wants all out victory. Dangerous game
By Paolo von Schirach
Related story:
March 7, 2014
WASHINGTON – I recently argued (see link to a related story above) that the Crimea “is gone”. I pointed out that Russia does indeed have a case for obtaining a “special status” for the (mostly Russian) Crimea. I thought that the easy way to get to a “de facto” Russian Crimea could be a constitutional arrangement agreed upon by the new government in Kiev whereby the Crimea will become even more “autonomous”. This arrangement would be ”de facto” independence. This way everybody (so to speak) would be satisfied. Read the rest of With A Forced Referendum On Joining Russia, The Crimea Crisis Gets Worse »
Mar 14
5
The Ukrainians Are Willing To Grant “Additional Autonomy” To The Crimea – Translation: The Crimea Is Lost
Putin wins, sort of. He may not able to stop the new ties between Kiev and the West. But he gest to control a piece of the Ukraine
By Paolo von Schirach
Related story:
http://schirachreport.com/index.php/2014/03/03/ukraine-crisis-end-game-putin-gets-keep-crimea/
March 5, 2014
WASHINGTON – I recently wrote that Vladimir Putin, come what may, will not relinquish the Crimea. (See link above to a related piece). Nothing that has happened so far has made me change my mind. Putin may pay a price for this act of unprovoked aggression. However, if he plays his hand cleverly, may be there will be no price. Read the rest of The Ukrainians Are Willing To Grant “Additional Autonomy” To The Crimea – Translation: The Crimea Is Lost »
Mar 14
1
Putin Loses The Ukraine, But He Gets To Keep The Crimea – Happy Ending?
Russia takes a calculated risk because it sees America as powerless.
By Paolo von Schirach
March 1, 2014
WASHINGTON – Let me give you my ultra simplified assessment of what has happened and what will happen regarding the Ukraine. Read the rest of Putin Loses The Ukraine, But He Gets To Keep The Crimea – Happy Ending? »
Feb 14
28
Two Senators Make The Case For Vehicles Powered By Natural Gas – But They Fail To Mention Heavy Trucks
Heavy trucks consume a lot of fuel. Real incentives would convince fleet owners such as Wal-Mart to switch to natural gas, with huge positive effects for the US economy
By Paolo von Schirach
February 28, 2014
WASHINGTON – In an extremely rare bipartisan effort, Senator Jim Inhofe (Republican from Oklahoma) and Senator Carl Levin (Democrat from Michigan) co-authored an op-ed piece published in The Wall Street Journal, (Fill’er Up –With Natural Gas, February 28, 2014), in which they put forward a strong case for legislation that would make it a lot easier to produce vehicles running on (now abundant and cheap) US natural gas. (This would include Compressed Natural Gas, CNG and Liquefied Natural Gas, LNG). The advantages are obvious: natural gas is domestically produced, (so, unlike half the oil products we use for transportation, it does not have to be imported), it is a lot cheaper than gasoline, and it is also much cleaner than gasoline. Read the rest of Two Senators Make The Case For Vehicles Powered By Natural Gas – But They Fail To Mention Heavy Trucks »
Feb 14
26
Chris Christie’s Town Meeting: Democracy in America
The Governor of New Jersey showed that he is a competent and caring elected official. And this is no small thing
By Paolo von Schirach
February 26, 2014
WASHINGTON – Thanks to C-SPAN, the US public affairs channels that provide unedited recordings of various political and/or policy related events, I had the chance to watch a long “Town Meeting” featuring New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, a (centrist) Republican, fielding many questions from voters. Read the rest of Chris Christie’s Town Meeting: Democracy in America »
Feb 14
25
Who Wants The Ukraine, Really? The Country Is A Mess
It would be good if the Ukrainian people now would be able to get together and fix a shattered country and a ruined economy
By Paolo von Schirach
February 25, 2014
WASHINGTON – The Ukraine may have a special symbolic meaning for Russia. It is a vast country, (roughly the size of Texas), with about 44 million people. It used to be a significant piece of the old Soviet Union. For these reasons, the notion that the Ukraine could become part of a Western camp, for some reason perceived as hostile by Russia, caused huge anxieties in Moscow. Read the rest of Who Wants The Ukraine, Really? The Country Is A Mess »
Feb 14
25
Senator Dick Durbin Said On Fox That Putin Used To Be The Head Of The Soviet Era KGB
Putin was a KGB colonel. This level of ignorance about the biographies of key foreign leaders cannot be excused. Durbin is the Assistant Majority Leader of the US Senate, not the Mayor of a small town
By Paolo von Schirach
February 25, 2014
WASHINGTON – During an interview with Chris Wallace on Fox a few days ago, Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois, the Assistant Majority Leader and thus number two in the Senate hierarchy of the Democratic Party, in reference to Russian President Vladimir Putin said that he used to be the head of the KGB:
“…Let’s not forget that Vladimir Putin was not just a member of the KGB, he was the head of the secret police, the Soviet KGB. This is a man that we should take very seriously”. Read the rest of Senator Dick Durbin Said On Fox That Putin Used To Be The Head Of The Soviet Era KGB »