Quote Originally Posted by Louis VI the Fat View Post
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.