Re : Re: Putin set to return?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Marshal Murat
That is so much exactly what I've been thinking for months that I could weep with joy at the recognition. ~:mecry:
Brilliant.
~+~+~+~<<<*>>>~+~+~+~
I heard Medvedev's speech after Obama's election. A very threatening posture. It struck me that the Russians immediately had their reaction to the election ready. For one thing, missiles near Kaliningrad. I wonder if he is testing Obama's resolve. Or whether he is counting on negotiations and quickly raised his bid, hoping to meet at a 'reasonable middle'? ('okay..let's meet halfway. How about you guys withdraw missile shields from Poland, and we withdraw our missiles from Kaliningrad in return?')
Re: Re : Re: Putin set to return?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Louis VI the Fat
I heard Medvedev's speech after Obama's election. A very threatening posture. It struck me that the Russians immediately had their reaction to the election ready. For one thing, missiles near Kaliningrad. I wonder if he is testing Obama's resolve. Or whether he is counting on negotiations and quickly raised his bid, hoping to meet at a 'reasonable middle'? ('okay..let's meet halfway. How about you guys withdraw missile shields from Poland, and we withdraw our missiles from Kaliningrad in return?')
Or even more effective, ignore him. A few missiles in Kaliningrad will play well to the home crowd, but militarily make no difference at all. It's not remotely threatening unless we choose to make it so.
Russia is desperate to be recognised again as a super-power, and we would do well to have a policy of recognising the good, positive behaviours rather than responding to the willy-waving.
Re: Re : Re: Putin set to return?
Didn't Medvedev say something to the effect of, "we'll build so many missiles that by sheer weight of numbers they'll get through"? And anyway, there just annoyed that this will prevent them playing bully boy to Europe. Any missiles aimed at the USA are in Siberia and even further east still.
Re: Re : Re: Putin set to return?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Rythmic
Didn't Medvedev say something to the effect of, "we'll build so many missiles that by sheer weight of numbers they'll get through"? And anyway, there just annoyed that this will prevent them playing bully boy to Europe. Any missiles aimed at the USA are in Siberia and even further east still.
Actually I would be surprised if many of the missiles are in the West because it doesn't really matter where they are since ICBM's are generally supposed to hop over the North pole to get to their destination, either the US or Russia, because it is a much shorter distance that way. I would imagine that missiles would be located mostly in the West because of the much better infrastructure there and thus lower maintenance costs, but again I don't actually know where the Russians keep their toys.
Re: Re : Re: Putin set to return?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Rythmic
Didn't Medvedev say something to the effect of, "we'll build so many missiles that by sheer weight of numbers they'll get through"? And anyway, there just annoyed that this will prevent them playing bully boy to Europe. Any missiles aimed at the USA are in Siberia and even further east still.
That's been the argument since the early days of SDI. Fact is that Russia can easily overwhelm any "missile shield" we erect in Poland. Plus with MIRV technology you'd have to destroy it in the initial launch phase. Not too easy if you're using hit to kill missiles. I believe Uesugi is correct: Regardless of delivery method the nukes would come to the U.S from the north, not the east. Truly the only threat this system could adequately defend against is a rogue state launch. Or more likely it merely seeks to remove a weapon from Iran's diplomatic arsenal.
I don't even think it's about the ability to bully Europe. They already have considerable influence over the rest of Europe due to their energy exports. The point of all this was stated here previously: Domestic politics. Politics Puttie poo has great skill in manipulating.
Re: Re : Re: Putin set to return?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Banquo's Ghost
Or even more effective, ignore him. A few missiles in Kaliningrad will play well to the home crowd, but militarily make no difference at all. It's not remotely threatening unless we choose to make it so.
Russia is desperate to be recognised again as a super-power, and we would do well to have a policy of recognising the good, positive behaviours rather than responding to the willy-waving.
agreed, poland has got what it wants, an :daisy: great trip-wire with uncle sam written all over it.
not the missiles, the boots.
shows you how much they think of Nato and the European Rapid Reaction Force (sic).
