Comments on: Russia’s Waving its Missiles Around Again…

By: Gaz

Gaz — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 19:05:17 +0000

What about the Iranian problem?
How come no offensive action has been taken against them, when arguably the threat of Iran’s nuclear programme is far more deadly to the West in the long term compared to Iraq?
Is the reason for non-action:
1) Due to the unwillingness to over stretch US/coalition forces?
2) Risk of more negative public opinion for the Bush administration?
3) Fear of wider reprisals from the Islamic nations?
4) The apparently increasing military capability of Iran (supported by Russian technology) to defend itself from cruise missile/air strikes?
5) The threat of destabilising the whole region and retaliation against US assets in the region as well as Israel?
Come on guys what do you think? A nuclear-armed Iran will represent the biggest menace to the west that we have ever seen. Why have the west been so reluctant to intervene militarily?

By: Gaz

Gaz — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 18:58:52 +0000

What about the Iranian problem?
How come no offensie action has been taken against them, wheb arguably the threat of Iran’s nuclear programme is far more deadly to the West in the long term compaed to Iraq?
Is the reason for non-action:
1) Due to the unwillingness to over stretch US/coalition forces?
2) Risk of more negative public opinion for the Bush administration?
3) Fear of wider reprisals from the Islamic nations?
4) The apparantly increasing military capability of Iran (supported by Russian technology)to defend itself from cruise missile/air strikes?
5) The threat of destabilising the whole region and a retalition against US assets in the region as well as Israel?
Come on guys what do you think? A nuclear armed Iran will represent the biggest menace to the west that we have ever seen. Why have the west been so reluctant to intervene militarily?

By: DC2 Jennings

DC2 Jennings — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 11:53:03 +0000

Thanks for the obiligatory comment Wes.
DC2

By: stephen russell

stephen russell — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 02:29:56 +0000

I agree with blogger: BMD Time, Star Wars & Now we face COLD WAR 2.
(unless Cuba OKs Russian bombers in Cuba vs 1962 style missiles IRBMs.
Cold War 2.

By: Byron Skinner

Byron Skinner — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 19:32:45 +0000

Good Morning Seraphiel,
I’m not use to all this agreement here so bare with me. First of all I agree with you about George Bush, since I’m not an MD I will have to take your word on the medical diagnosis of our President.
Now regarding NATO as wrapping Russia with all those democracies, I find it hard to believe that NATO can exert that much influence over the for satellite countries of the former Soviet Union. I think you have what we call in the west a chicken before the egg problem. The democratic governments came first and then request to join NATO.
As for NATO if you have been watch events in Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan of the past few years where NATO’s lack of any combat powers with out the United States should seem obvious. As stated in other posts the likely hood of the U.S. invading Russia or for that matter getting involved in any dispute with Russia in a third party country even for the Bush administration is remote.
The missile defense units in Poland was a rather stupid idea on the part of the Bushies and my guess was more for domestic political consumption. The system that is proposed would be useless against the SRBM’s, IRBM’s and cruise missiles that the Russians have in abundance. Other then for domestic political I fail to see any legitimate concern on the part of Russia on this issue. The current economic conditions in the United States will almost certainly dictate the cancelation of missile defense early in the coming Obama administration.
In short Seraphiel what Russia is doing is no more then a replay of the political theatre of the Cold War era. What the reality is, is that the United States is the only country in the world which has a full spectrum military strike ability in the world. The good news is that the United States has shown great restraint is using that ability even in Afghanistan and Iraq.
If Putin and Medvedev insist on going back to the old Soviet Days of using up to 27% of GNP for military,defense spending, I use GNP instead of the more common GDP in referring to Russia because the accounting of GNP applies better to Russia, thats Russia’s business even if it will lead to, well we all know how Russia solves domestic problems.
ALLONS,
Byron Skinner

By: Brian

Brian — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:30:23 +0000

I’ve wondered why Russia is worried about a token BMD system. The only answer I’ve got is that perhaps their missiles aren’t as effective as we might think.

By: VileFather

VileFather — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 15:06:36 +0000

“The Russians have every reason to feel threatened by missiles and tracking stations planted firmly on its boarders.“
I always wondered why the bloody hype with planting DEFENSIVE missiles on a country next to Russia.
I would understand Russia’s paranoia if those missiles were OFFENSIVE tactical nuclear weapons.
I would understand too, if the US placed a defensive type of missile that could be replaced by an offensive type, used to strike.
But ladies and gentleman, what we really have here is 10 mere interceptors, completely useless crap against a nuclear strike by Russia, not only in quantity of missiles, but also in quality, as I seriously doubt they could shoot down an advanced Topol M, not even getting near it

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 13:37:15 +0000

From a tactical standpoint, doesn’t it seem a little stupid for Russia to put missiles right next to the US *missile defense* radars and interceptors? As several people have already stated, this is a political move an nothing else. Russia just wants to make sure we know that they know what we’re doing… with me?

By: Andre

Andre — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 12:20:35 +0000

Georgia called the Russians bluff and took it up the chooch. I hope they learned their lesson.
DC2
Posted by: DC2 Jennings at November 6, 2008 06:51 AM
DC2,
I like your sarcasm.

By: DC2 Jennings

DC2 Jennings — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 11:51:58 +0000

What no “we’re screwed because Obama will be President” comments? It must be because we still have faith in Bush being able to look into Putin’s eyes and see his soul.
Russia is posturing and sabre rattling now that they have an economy again thanks to oil. Yet another state sponsor of terrorism that we support with the almighty gas tank. Other than that, no big deal.
Georgia called the Russians bluff and took it up the chooch. I hope they learned their lesson.
DC2