Russia's diplomacy by intimidation
Rocky Mountain News
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Maybe the most useful thing about the U.S. proposal to base missile interceptors in Eastern Europe is what it has revealed about the Russians. Moscow wants to be accepted as a full and respected partner by modern Europe but can't seem to help reverting to its old thuggish ways.
The interceptor system is intended to guard Europe against still-unrealized long-range Iranian missiles. What the 10-interceptor system would not do is provide any protection to speak of against the Russians, who are surely aware of this. If the Kremlin ever went so totally out of its mind as to launch an attack, it could overwhelm the system.
Nonetheless, the Kremlin has said it will target its missiles on the planned radar site in the Czech Republic and on any interceptor site in Poland. The Russian parliament also approved a statement that seemed to suggest any interceptor base in Lithuania might lead to the massing of troops on its border.
This is bully and bluster of the first order - the Russian bear reverting to its old, discredited ways.
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July 7, 2008
7:21 a.m.
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vudumom writes:
No worries Obama can schedule a tea party and sit and talk with them.
July 7, 2008
9:56 a.m.
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T1anda writes:
In a showdown Putin(former KGB thug) would turn Obama into a mass of blackberry jelly!!
July 7, 2008
1:39 p.m.
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anarchist writes:
Froward, "Sounds like a rerun of missiles in Cuba", what, did ted kennedy try to re-invade the bay of pigs? The Cuban missle crisis happened after JFK failed at the bay of pigs, yes, a democrat without approval of the legislative branch gave the order to proceed, and the response was the Cuban missle crisis.
"NOT a hot headed warmonger like mcSame!!!:, proof you nitiwt, proof, facts, not your imagined boogeyman, facts, cite quotes.Or is this a fearmongering tactic and totally fabricated, proof, facts, or admit it a lie.
July 7, 2008
1:48 p.m.
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anarchist writes:
Froward, "“I do not want to keep our troops in Iraq a minute longer than necessary to secure our interests there. Our goal is an Iraq that can stand on its own as a democratic ally and a responsible force for peace in its neighborhood." John McCain
http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/I...
http://www.barackobama.com/issues/iraq/
"He will keep some troops in Iraq to protect our embassy and diplomats; if al Qaeda attempts to build a base within Iraq, he will keep troops in Iraq or elsewhere in the region to carry out targeted strikes on al Qaeda.
Warmonger?
July 7, 2008
3:28 p.m.
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NotUrFriend writes:
Guys,
Realisitically you can't stop a (Russian) "Bear" by talking politely too it. Nope, just a loaded .45 or any other strong phsyical response would frighten it off or kill it.
Given, talking nice in a civilized world it'd work, but the worlds not 'civilized' and when your talking to a brute who only respects brute force, than you can only respond that way.
I say, talk nice, smile, but keep your hand on the loaded gun...never know when that bear will go rabid.
Mccain all the way.
July 7, 2008
6:31 p.m.
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gs writes:
Stick the interceptors in Russia. Right near Moscow. That is what they want. To be protected too. And what do we lose? Please be specific.
July 8, 2008
11:51 p.m.
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WestminsterJ writes:
Gee, I wonder how the US would react if Russia wanted to place "interceptors" in, say, Canada. Who's really the bully here?
July 8, 2008
11:55 p.m.
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WestminsterJ writes:
"T1anda": In a showdown Putin(former KGB thug) would turn Obama into a mass of blackberry jelly!!
You know, what I really value about Obama's candidacy is that it is bringing out all the stealth racists, kind of like flushing out the cockroaches from under the sink. Unpleasant, but necessary.
July 9, 2008
8:03 a.m.
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T1anda writes:
Obama supporters new tool...any word with "black" in it will be considered racist. Are you in denial?? Obama is half black!!
OMG WestminsterJ hide your Blackberry it's racist!! Bwahahaha!!