“Even today, Russia apparently has still a pioneering role in the fight against the Islamic terrorism, since, in contrast to the ineffective air war by the US-led coalition under Barack Obama against the Islamic State, Russia on the orders of President Putin performs a massive air war against the al-Nusra Front in Syria. A rescue of Central Europe could consist in closer political and military cooperation with Christian Russia..”
Even after the ceasefire – concluded at the initiative of Russia and the USA – the political and military situation in Syria is determined by uncertainty and instability. As before, Eastern Syria is controlled by the Islamic State (IS). The al-Qaida affiliated al-Nusra Front mainly dominates individual areas in the west of Aleppo. Wherever these two organizations hold control, religious minorities, including Christians of different denominations are dislodged, suppressed or even forced to convert. In addition to the sites of the ancient world, churches and monasteries are destroyed in these areas.
The direct consequence of war and destruction is the movement of refugees into Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan. Besides the individual Christians, the majority of these refugees belong to the Sunni line of Islam. Those refugees from the area of Aleppo, are to be counted as conservative Sunni of Syria, i.e. Salafists. Those kind of Sunni, above all, flee to Turkey. At the end of 2015, many of them have already reached Austria, Germany and Sweden via Greece and the Balkan route.
The following scenario for the future development in Central Europe seems plausible. These Sunni will soon fetch their numerous families to join them with or without the consent of their host countries. Thanks to their massive immigration they could gradually gain dominance over the other Muslims in Central Europe, in particular those in Germany. After 10 or 20 years they could definitely determine the life of Muslims in secular Central Europe and very soon push out the remains of Christianity into the cold.
How could such a development be averted? Over 5 centuries ago, Russia was freed of the reign of the Islamic Tatars by Ivan IV. Vasiljevic with the conquest of Kazan (1552) and the conquest of Astrakhan (1557).1 Even today, Russia apparently has still a pioneering role in the fight against the Islamic terrorism, since, in contrast to the ineffective air war by the US-led coalition under Barack Obama against the Islamic State, Russia on the orders of President Putin performs a massive air war against the al-Nusra Front in Syria. A rescue of Central Europe could consist in closer political and military cooperation with Christian Russia. •
1 Randa, A. (ed.), Handbuch der Weltgeschichte. Erster Band (Handbook of world history. First volume). Walter-Verlag, Olten and Freiburg, 1954, p. 959
Source: www.strategische-studien.com from 03/06/2016
The joint performance of the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra and the St. Petersburg Mariinsky Orchestra on April 11 in Moscow was, according to the German musicians, the best possible sign for peace and understanding in the world.
“Music is a language without words that joins nations together across borders. Therefore, this concert is a contribution to spread this language even further”, said violist Konstantin Sellheim from the Munich orchestra in an interview with Sputnik.
“The Maestro Valeri Gergiev has been our chief conductor since September 2015,” said Stephan Haack, cellist and orchestra board member. “Wherever we were, internationally or in Munich, we had a lot of success; the audience was enthusiastic. We are glad that we finally come with him to his home country. What is special today, is that we perform together with his orchestra in St. Petersburg, and with colleagues from the Mariinsky Theater. This is a political gesture and an act of friendship, and that’s why we like doing it very much.”
“I think it’s really gorgeous to play Russian music in Russia – in the German- Russian orchestra as a sign of the affinity”, added Sellheim.
On Monday, even President Vladimir Putin visited the performance of the “merged” orchestra in the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory. The concert started with Sergei Prokofiev’s music for the ballet “Romeo and Juliet”. Thereafter, the international orchestra interpreted together with Russian pianist Alexei Volodin Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 2. This year the 125th birthday of the composer is celebrated not only in his homeland, but also internationally.
Source: Sputnik Germany from 19. April 2016
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