raise the specter of secession from
Grab for Power in Crimea Raises Secession Threat
SIMFEROPOL, Ukraine — With the Russian flag planted atop the regional Parliament, Crimea raised the specter of secession from Ukraine on Thursday, threatening renewed civil conflict and a showdown between Ukraine’s fledgling government and the Kremlin.
Across the region’s capital, Simferopol, a well-orchestrated power grab by pro-Russian forces played out: Armed militants took control of government buildings; crowds filled the streets chanting “Russia, Russia,” and legislators called for a vote to redefine relations with Ukraine. The region is currently autonomous, meaning it has greater local control over its affairs.
raise the specter of は「恐ろしい何かが起こると予感させる」という意味のイディオムです（"to make people worry that something unpleasant will happen"--Webster）。ここはsecession（「分離、独立」）がof以下に来ていますので、ウクライナにとってクリミア自治共和国の独立は恐ろしいgeopolitics上の出来事となります。
A spectre is haunting Europe — the spectre of communism.という一文でCommunist Manifesto をはじめたのはKarl Marxでした。specter/spectreは昔も今もヨーロッパを徘徊しているのでしょうか。（Shou-VR*）
