I figured I'd start what will be bound to become a controversial subject. Recently, Vladamir Putin, Russian President, claimed that the United States has started a "new arms race" by deciding to install a missile defense platform in the Czech Republic. The US government is stating that the missile defense platform will consist of 2 radar stations and 8-12 Interceptor Missiles designed to shoot down incoming ICBMs. Last week Russia test-fired a rocket system that they claim is impossible to intercept or stop once fired. Putin also went so far as to publically state that if the US installs the missile platform that he will have his nuclear missiles pointed at europe and ready to fire. The US claims that the missile defense platform is there simply to protect european countries from threats such as Iran or other hostile enemies with the capability or future capability of launching nukes. The Czech Republic and most of the other countries in the region welcome the missile defense platform and the Czech PM even went so far as to say that Russias reaction to the news was the exact reason why such a measure would be neccesary. A Czech poll (60-something %) stated that the citizens do not wish to have an American military presence in their country but would feel safer with the missile defense system in place along with around 120 US soldiers. The US government stated that an attack against Europe is an attack against the United States. This all comes at a time in Russia with upcoming elections in 2008 and some people in the media have claimed that this show by the Russian government is nothing more than a smoke screen to take peoples' attention off of the problems inside their own country. So what do you think? Is Russia overreating? Is only the second democratically elected president in Russian history going to revive the Cold War and rekindle the old US rivalry? Is the US the agressor here? Do you think the US has an ulterior motive or wishes to rekindle the nuclear arms race? Is the Czech PM right about Russias reaction as proof of exactly why they would want a missile defense platform in the first place? In my opinion Russia is the definite aggresor here. Without diplomacy, without negotiations or cooperation, Putins FIRST response to the situation was "we're gonna aim our nukes at europe." Quite frankly, I think he is VASTLY overestimating his countries ability to be an actual deterrence to anything the US wants to do in other european countries, especially when by all accounts and purposes, all they want to do is set up a system to shoot DOWN nukes, not launch them. I'm inclined to call Russias bluff. If Putin was actually brazen enough to launch a nuke anywhere in europe I'm fairly certain Russia would be on the receiving end of a massive unilateral attack from about 15 nations. His government would be destroyed, his economy shattered and all because the US wanted to put in a missile defense system? Not even the Ruskies loaded up on Vodka would make that mistake. But how about a what-if? What if China sided with Russia and decided to go to war against the UN? Well one thing I'm sure of is if that happened, no one would come out better off. The US and European economy is so dependant on China it would be a disaster for both parties. So, thoughts, comments?
The problem is Putin is from the Old Guard, he seems to have forgotten that the wall came down. You are not our enemy, numptie.
It's phony. Same as the cold war. The war on terrorism whatever it's motives, (eg. get bush back in, get oil control, etc.) is also phony. It's a blind. H.B.
I think it's just an empty threat. 'Look at us, we're still dangerous!' EDIT: Then again I don't think we need the damn system in the first place. Russia isn't a threat and the middle east sure as hell is not.
It's China that the West is starting to worry about, coupled with rogue-countries like Iran, who could, theoretically at least, buy themselves a proper nuke. Couple that with the need among most of us for a security blanket, and a proper defense against an ICBM is a pretty hefty one. If it's a decent, reliable solution too, we can expect the numbers of ICBM's and similar systems to begin reducing.
Given the recent history of the world, it was quite poignant that during the previous expedition we had a Russian, a German, and an American living on the International Space Station. They demonstrated that when you put down the missiles and set aside your egos, people from decidedly different backgrounds can come together and do world-class science. The crewmembers became very close, and remain good friends to this day. Our respective governments would do well to stop and realize that there is much more to this world than missiles and resources. Damn their political posturing. It's making life difficult for the rest of us. -monkey
I agree that Putin is over-reacting and I think that, along with the show and dance he's putting on over the extradition of Andre Lugovoi, Russia is back-sliding to the old Communist ways. What gets me, though, is the assumption that Europe is unable to defend itself, and that we need America to come along and sort it all out for us. People get along fine together; governments don't. Whether those governments are capitalist or communist, it's been a long time since they actually represented the wishes of the people...
This boils down to, does any sane government trust the American government? The answer must be "No way!"
Putin is just posturing. He is struggling with a divided nation under siege by former satellite states and a Russian Maffia, elections are coming up and after the Russian economy was all but destroyed (and organised criminals made rich and powerful) courtesy of Western economic consultants called in by Jeltsin to realise the capitalist dream, most Russians are reminiscing about the good ol' days of Communism. Putin simply sees where his political future lies. Meanwhile, the US is on a hostile take-over and asset stripping exercise in the Middle East. Since Russia is still sore of its experience with "capitalist reforms" under Jeltsin, it is understandably distrustful of American foreign policy. It is not the only country to feel that way. There is no reason why the US would need a base in the Czech republic --if it is concerned about the Middle East, Italy and Greece are better locations. However Putin's posturing suits them just fine --they can now play the noble protector of Europe and gain more political influence there. I think that is your real motive, right there. The Czech republic would like some limited US involvement simply to protect themselves from returning to the good ol' days. Unfounded fear, IMO. China is not going to get involved in this one --it is on a winning streak already, powering ahead to become world economy number one, buying more of that US debt. It has other ways to gain power and influence. War is for myopic losers.
Too true, China already owns several trillion in US debt, it will be interesting when China asks/demands for the debt to be paid. I don't see why Putin is posturing for the election, he's said he's not going to run for office again. I think it's PMS.
But I am sure that he has a preferred successor. Bush wants to leave a legacy: Who says that Putin does not? Additionally, the whole thing can be a distraction manoeuver on the US' part: Not issues that Bush is greatly in favour of taking further, although he is trying to mellow his image by asking for more money to fight AIDS in Africa. My psychological theory is that after the mess in the Middle East, and the debacle of Guantanamo Bay, the Bush administration is simply entrenching in going with what they are most familiar with: There's hoping that the US population has a short memory...
this is kind of F up, i don't trust the USA as much as i can trow them, the UN even wants to make here, on our highest mountain, a big ass radar station..... my university was closed because of the reunion, there were snipers on the roof, anti bomb squads and people were searched for stuff that could be dangerous.... but again on topic: don't ICBMs go into space and back again? how do you defend your self against that? and this is just a lot of steam out of Putin's ass, but look at Kursk, everyone knows who sunk it and there was no reaction on part of Putin. you can even look at north Korea that was saying "we are gona hit japan with this missile!!!!!" and what they did after. And Putin is not that mad as to point nukes to Europe, it would be M.A.D. .
What does that matter? Does it matter? No. This is Britain. Do you trust the British government? and more importantly, does the government care about what you think? Does anyone want Gordon Brown to be PM? No. So why do the sheeple just accept him with a sense of quiet inevitability? When I was about 14 my family went to London; we saw the sights etc., and decided to go to the House of Lords simply because we could. Prior to this I'd bought a packet of chalk as you do at that age. I tend to carry a lot of stuff in my pockets, and that day was no exception: I was carrying my 3" knife and the chalk. When we finally got past the H&K's, we were frisked, and they let me keep my knife on the interesting grounds that it was non-lockable and if I decide to knife someone with it, they would somehow grab my hand and fold the blade back on my fingers... but they pinched my chalk for the duration of the visit which wasn't long as the were talking about some extremely dull aspect of fire-brigades. H.B.
wait. Russia is mad at the US so they threaten Europe? And here was I thinking that Americans were terrible at geography.
I don't know, is this possibly a conspiracy theory? Was it Al Quaida? If there's a missile base on your doorstep, it's a top priority target. Better a few million Europeans get killed than one American voter. That's US Foreign Policy. Don't forget the Cuban missile cris started with US missile bases in Turkey. You do not want a psycho with a big gun moving in next door.
1) There's no fact. 2) They let you keep your knife because it was harmless - the chalk is easy to use to deface the building and leave messages on walls that could be broadcast to the public.
The "fact" is removed. But I think I "could" have caused more "permanent" damage with my knife... H.B.
