Originally Posted by: shapertakh... theres no static way to tell which key a certain progression belongs to ...[/quote]
A progression or group of chords is what it is: if it has the necessary components to clearly outline a key, then yes, it is in a certain specific key. If not, then no.

Originally Posted by: shapertakh ... like you said as this ( f#m D E ) progression can take off in any direction depending on the resolving chord. this makes it clear.....it can be either the A major scale if i resolve the progression that way (using the A note) or take it to some other scale altogether.[/quote]
Sort of. But more precisely, it is NOT in the key of A major UNTIL it resolves in the key of A major. It's OK to talk in terms of "potentially" being in some key while you are trying to figure this stuff out. But, in the long run, you should make clear conceptual distinctions between "actual" and "potential". But yes, you have the right idea: "if you resolve it that way".

The trick here is identifying that you are only in a specific key if you have a clear dominant - tonic relationship present in the notes/chords that happen.

Originally Posted by: shapertakh
Does this actually mean that keys for modes can not necessarily exist independently and they ultimately resolve back to their mother scale (the ionion) and are hence named after the ionion modes first note?

This is a good question. :)

The concept you are trying to grasp here is related to the difference between tonal and modal musical ideas.
[QUOTE=shapertakh]
... like this ( f#m D E ) if left in this form could be called the key of f#m.....BUT would ultimately depend on how the tonic is established, thus giving the key its name?

The chords "f#m - D - E" form a modal progression of "i - flat VII - flat VI" in the key of F-sharp minor. They could only be a tonal progression if they had a chord with the note e# (the leading tone). For example a V chord (C# major, C#7) or a vii dim chord (E# dim). They are not in the key of A major; there is no A major chord. You can use the notes of the A major scale of course to form the chords, and to play a melody or solo over the chords. That is different from "being in the key of A major" though.

To be "in a key" means to have the chords forming specific functions and relationships: be they modal or tonal. It's not just a matter of having a collection of notes together. It has to do with how the notes are organized and used.

Now, the chords "f#m - D - E" could be a small section of a larger song in which there is in fact a tonal use of the key of A major. But unless and until a dominant - tonic relationship happens, it is just "modal F-sharp minor".
[QUOTE=shapertakh]
Hope im not dragging it a bit too far :o

On the contrary, ask as much as necessary until you completely understand. Your sincere desire to learn is admirable.