Why is the Eurasian Union being underreported?

[Mouthwash]

In January of 2015, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan will form the Eurasian Union:

[Painfully made in MS paint.]

Why am I hearing nothing about this? Google searching turns up a few scattered opinion pieces on it, most of which are outdated. In light of the Ukraine crisis and Russia's new level of international involvement, how in the world has Putin been able to get away with this without large scale media exposure? I expected Western news outlets to make the New Soviet Empire a story sooner or later, but not wait till 2014. I bet less than .01% of the US public even knows what this is.

Does anyone know if the borders will physically change on the map? I've found next to zero relevant information on this.

 

[Aleksey_aka_al]

When Kyrgyzstanians, for example, years ago talked about a desired confederation with Kazakhstan and/or Russia, they had a sudden "revolution" next day.

Belarus and Russia has so called Union State for years. But Lukashenko being "the last dictator in Europe" or the "illegal" execution of subway terrorists are much better news.

Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia was introduced three years ago. Why the Free Media™ doesn't tell you that?

Oh I know why! To make a mess in Ukraine and then suddenly make a sensation: SOVIET UNION IS BEING RESTORED! That's what those Russkies do in Ukraine! We should take measures!

 

[BvBPL]

I don't know why we aren't hearing more about it, but the rising fascism in the Eurasian Union is very worrying.

I heard a great run down of how Russia is attempting to create a dichotomy between Europe and Eurasia, but I can't find the story. It was very interest, focusing on how boosters for the Eurasian Union / Russian side of the recent Ukrainian kerfuffle used anti-Semitism and homophobia to work people against the pro-Europe side.

 

[Mouthwash]

Stratfor actually mentioned the coming Eurasian Union in 2006 in one of their articles. I can't find it right now, but to put that in context, Vladimir Putin only announced it in 2011.

 

[Agent327]

New Soviet Empire

?

What's new or Soviet about it?

When Kyrgyzstanians, for example, years ago talked about a desired confederation with Kazakhstan and/or Russia, they had a sudden "revolution" next day.

Belarus and Russia has so called Union State for years. But Lukashenko being "the last dictator in Europe" or the "illegal" execution of subway terrorists are much better news.

Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia was introduced three years ago. Why the Free Media™ doesn't tell you that?

Because it's not very interesting?

Going back to the OP: since it hasn't happened yet, I'm not sure what "news coverage" you expect to see. I'm sure it will be in the media around Januari 2015.

 

[Formaldehyde]

What's new or Soviet about it?

Just because the Cold War has been over for over two decades doesn't mean that Reagan won't rise from the dead and resurrect it again.

 

[Kyriakos]

Oceania has always been at war with Eurasia.

And Eastasia.

 

[ywhtptgtfo]

When Kyrgyzstanians, for example, years ago talked about a desired confederation with Kazakhstan and/or Russia, they had a sudden "revolution" next day.

Belarus and Russia has so called Union State for years. But Lukashenko being "the last dictator in Europe" or the "illegal" execution of subway terrorists are much better news.

Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia was introduced three years ago. Why the Free Media™ doesn't tell you that?

Oh I know why! To make a mess in Ukraine and then suddenly make a sensation: SOVIET UNION IS BEING RESTORED! That's what those Russkies do in Ukraine! We should take measures!

Making the Russian government sound like victims.

 

[History_Buff]

In January of 2015, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan will form the Eurasian Union:

[Painfully made in MS paint.]

Oh gods my eyes. If they want to be taken seriously, they need to get the Uzbeks on board and pretty up those borders.

 

[Winner]

Because it is basically a dictator's club where Putin is trying to recreate the Soviet Union with a group of like-minded authoritarians?

If people criticize the EU for an alleged lack of democratic legitimacy, I wonder what they would say about this "Eurasian Union"...

 

[Cheezy the Wiz]

I doubt Uzbekistan would be on board with the Customs Union. Karimov has worked hard to separate his country's national identity from its Russian past. I'm a bit surprised Turkmenistan isn't, though.

Azerbaijan considered it briefly, but the riots in Moscow last October, and the Russian government's reactions to it, pretty much put any end to that possibility, however remote it was.

 

[Kyriakos]

Because it is basically a dictator's club where Putin is trying to recreate the Soviet Union with a group of like-minded authoritarians?

If people criticize the EU for an alleged lack of democratic legitimacy, I wonder what they would say about this "Eurasian Union"...

It may be more likely to work, due to some background historically of a similar union in regards to lands. For the same reason i suppose Austria+Czechia+Slovakia+Hungary+Ustasia ( ) would be likely to work better than all of Europe in a union.

 

[Tahuti]

It may be more likely to work, due to some background historically of a similar union in regards to lands. For the same reason i suppose Austria+Czechia+Slovakia+Hungary+Ustasia ( ) would be likely to work better than all of Europe in a union.

Like being a bunch of Soviet style dictatorships for instance? Yeah, I can see where your heading too. Historical ties culture and all that esoteric bullcrap be damned. You create those by forming a union anyway. A Union of former Austro-Hungarian states has simply too little striking power abroad and too little to offer in terms of harmonisation.

As to the OP, we first have to see, then wait. Usually media overreports certain issues so this is a refreshing change for a start.

 

[Kyriakos]

^The EU has "striking power abroad"?
A drunken father who beats his children has striking power inside the slum they all live, but out of it he is just another petty-crook.

 

[Domen]

I suggest Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Mongolia and Tibet should join. Belarus and Armenia should leave, on the other hand.

Unless you want also Azerbaijan in - then Armenia can stay too.

 

[Tahuti]

Yes it has. A lot of it in fact. And certainly far more than a hypothetic Austrian-Hungarian union.

 

[CavLancer]

In January of 2015, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan will form the Eurasian Union:

[Painfully made in MS paint.]

Why am I hearing nothing about this? Google searching turns up a few scattered opinion pieces on it, most of which are outdated. In light of the Ukraine crisis and Russia's new level of international involvement, how in the world has Putin been able to get away with this without large scale media exposure? I expected Western news outlets to make the New Soviet Empire a story sooner or later, but not wait till 2014. I bet less than .01% of the US public even knows what this is.

Does anyone know if the borders will physically change on the map? I've found next to zero relevant information on this.

It already exists? Who care about politicos signing on the dotted line when everyone knows it already?

Note: Don't see Georgia or the Ukraine on your list. Taking ether one of these would be a major win for Putin. Tell me when something interesting happens. :zzz:

 

[Winner]

It may be more likely to work, due to some background historically of a similar union in regards to lands. For the same reason i suppose Austria+Czechia+Slovakia+Hungary+Ustasia ( ) would be likely to work better than all of Europe in a union.

How durable do you think will such an "Union" (in fact Russian overlordship in exchange for Russian support for the local authoritarian regimes) be?

Every time there is a pro-democratic revolution in these countries, people will automatically turn against membership in this Union of repression.

As for particular, culture based unions: what Kaiserguard said. Politics isn't always determined by romantic nationalist dreams. Cultural similarities obviously help in integration, but integration needs to bring clear benefits. Czech Rep. (10.5m), + Slovakia (5.5m) + Hungary (10.0m) + Austria (8.4m) would be a population equivalent of Poland. Not much, even if economically stronger.

In Europe, the only integration that makes sense is pan-European.

 

[Domen]

Czech Rep. (10.5m), + Slovakia (5.5m) + Hungary (10.0m) + Austria (8.4m) would be a population equivalent of Poland. Not much

Indeed. This is why the Intermarium would be much better. Or at least the Neo-Jagiellonian Union.

Don't see Georgia or the Ukraine on your list. Taking ether one of these would be a major win for Putin.

Why Russia always expands in wrong directions? They should leave Ukraine and Georgia alone. Belarus too.

 

[CavLancer]

Not Belarus, Russia could gobble them up without a burp. Ukraine might cause some acid reflux or something. Nothing they can't handle if the EU sits on its hands, and they will of course.