[War] Russia: "Well That's Just Great..."

[Michael Downey]

"Well That's Just Great..."
President Leonid Nemerenko
Russian Federation
2 March 2014
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

It was funny how history played out. When the Hammer and Sicle flew down
from the Kremlin for the last time, Nemerenko knew he was watching an
important moment in history. When Putin and his cronies had been forced out
of office in the mini-revolution that had restored (some would say brought)
democracy to Russia it had been a similar feeling. And now, as he watched
Xia Hong give her address to the Chinese people and the world, the President
of Russia realized that he was watching yet another important moment in
history. One that brought him dread.

"So this is it," he said to Kalugin and Denemetov. "The last one started in
Berlin in 1948, and now this one starts in Korea, here, today. I wonder if
it will last as long?"

"A Second Cold War," breathed Kalugin. "The Americans and the Chinese
fighting for global dominance."

"We cannot make that assumption so quickly!" cautioned Denemetov. Nemerenko
shook his head.

"Listen to her!" said Nemerenko, indicating the LCD screen set to one side
in his office. 'Read' would be a better descriptor as none of them spoke
Mandarin and were actually looking at the Cyrillic subtitles near the
bottom. "She's openly blaming the Americans and President Williams for what
is going on in North Korea, accusing them of aiding the rebels. The GRU
reports that the 2nd Artillery Corps is on high alert. This is the real
thing."

*Fuck you, Ivan Williams*, thought Nemerenko bitterly. Hong was paranoid
even by Russian standards but to cast down the gauntlet in such a dramatic
manner was indicative that there must be SOME merit to her accusations
against the the United States. One did not make an enemy of the Americans on
a whim. Perhaps if the White House had a bit of sense they wouldn't have
made an enemy of the *Chinese* superpower. And now Cold War II had started.

"Our position is incredibly precarious," said the Interior Minister. "We've
courted the Americans and the Chinese equally for friendship. Now that they
are enemies, we will be suspected by both as well. Especially China."

"We are friends to both an allies to neither," replied Nemerenko. It would
be naive to think Russia would not be caught in this somehow, but maybe he
could steer his nation into some semblance of neutrality. Had the Chinese
not done the same thing during the last Cold War? "The Chinese did not react
with as much ire as we had expected over our withdrawal of material support
from North Korea. Obviously with this new business with he Americans they
are less eager to antagonize us."

"You must speak with Hong and Williams," urged Denemetov. "Call them both
and gauge their temperature. The only thing worse than either considering us
a potential enemy would to consider us a potential ally! Do not let them
fall into this belief." Nemerenko bent his head down and sighed. How
seemlisly the world had moved from relative stability to utter instability.
What had been a brushfire conflict in some godforsaken speck of land in East
Asia had brought the two superpowers to each others' throats. What was it
even all for? "Also urge caution on Hong's behalf," continued the Foreign
Minister. "They might be mistaken about American involvement."

"The actual sequence of events is secondary," replied Nemerenko. "How these
actions are perceived are what matter. Hong believes America is behind the
insurrection in North Korea, and that belief is enough. There will be no
talking her down, I won't even try." Hell, if Nemerenko had caught a bunch
of Langley spooks running around Chechnya giving guns to the Muslims, he'd
be pissed too. 'Never fuck with Russia,' was not one of Stalin's more famous
quotes, but it was one Nemerenko took to heart. "Start making the calls," he
instructed Denemetov.
---

Actions:
1) Russia freaks. Cold War II!
2) Emphasize to China and America that Russia is friend to both an and ally
to neither. We are neutral.
3) Arrange calls with Presidents Hong and Williams. Nemerenko will try and
speak to both and gauge how they view Russia's part in this. Hopefully,
none.
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