"Poland, by deploying (the system) is exposing itself to a strike — 100 percent," Nogovitsyn, the deputy chief of staff, was quoted as saying.
He added, in clear reference to the agreement, that Russia's military doctrine sanctions the use of nuclear weapons "against the allies of countries having nuclear weapons if they in some way help them." Nogovitsyn that would include elements of strategic deterrence systems, he said, according to Interfax.
Bush officials say the deployment of a missile defense system for Poland was not intended to antagonize Russians as they carry out their invasion into neighboring Georgia. This seems more like the old Soviet leaders talking than supposedly modern democratic Russian leaders.
14 comments:
If putting missile defense equipment in Poland wasn't meant to antagonize Russia, just why was it placed there? I think playing a game of chicken with Russia with a defense system that has yet to be proven will work isn't a particularly bright move. Especially with the US military stretched so thin in two major conflicts (not politicizing here, that's just a reality of it). Also antagonizing Russia also will end their cooperation with the US in finding Al Queda cells, not to mention will make containing Iran that much more difficult. I don't think either side here is being particularly intelligent, and the possibility of unintended consequences increases with each bellicose, chest thumping, macho move and countermove.
That argument sounds very familiar. Wasn't that the same thing they said about Reagan's inistence on SDI when he met with Gorbachev at Reykjavík? And wasn't Reagan excoriated for that position by the media? And didn't Gorbachev back down and go along with Reagan's plan to reduce nuclear missiles but building a missile defense system? "Trust, but verify," Reagan said.
One thing I havent understood is the hypocrisy of Georgia. If they can secede from the Soviet Union/CIS, then why should they be upset if South Ossetia and Azhkaban (for you Harry Potter fans) does the same thing from Georgia?
But I also dont believe its Russia's job to secure those 2's borders, either.
"Also antagonizing Russia also will end their cooperation with the US in finding Al Queda cells, not to mention will make containing Iran that much more difficult."
"Containing Iran"? Putin has provided training for over 1000 Iranian nuclear scientists, supplies vast amounts of weapons and information to Ahmadinejad and the Mullahs, has had Hamas leaders over for tea, and generally has done everything he can to block, stifle, hinder and obfuscate what he is doing to prevent the world from fighting back.
He has had dissidents murdered. Seized media outlets, consolidated power back in unto himself and more. He is trying with all his might to bring back, not necessarily the communist model, but at least a totalitarian regimen.
His out front and back door dealings with Iran are nothing more than a way to prevent Islamic foment in Russia, all the while knowing that he can give the Mullahs what they want, a return to the 7th century via a nuclear party from Russia with love.
If the invasion of Georgia is not met with some serious consequences, the Ukraine, the Baltic states, and other former Soviet satellites will be next.
Add to that the fact that the proposed Trans-Caspian pipeline would have an offshoot going through Georgia to Supsa (Baku-Supsa oil pipeline), and a portion of the gas line going through Georgia also, one can easily see why Putin wants control of Georgia back. Control the pipeline, control Europe.
Don't think for one minute that Russian imperial designs ended with the collapse of the USSR. Russia, since Peter the Great has always wanted an expanded empire. This desire is raising it formidable head again in Putin, and unless resisted will bring about the subjugation of millions of people.
I do think the image by Dees Illustration on the front page of www.Rense.com sums it up.
-Melyssa
I do think the image by Dees Illustration on the front page of www.Rense.com sums it up.
The one showing Georgia with a star of david in its name? Suggesting that this is really the fault of the Jews?
Anti-Semitic trolls like you have no place in a civilized society.
Obama straighted it out already and he's not President yet.Jesus Hussein Obama!How sweet the sound.
You know folks if we would have just listened to General Patton in WW II much of this would not be being discussed.
Seems like many of our issues are related to our own mistakes in Foriegn Policy with plenty of blame to go both to R's and D's.
Peace
Um, making Reagan comparisons to the current situation is erroneous. For starters, the economic positions of the two countries aren't the same as they were in 1985. These days, Russia is flush with petrol dollars, and the US is in debt up to its eyeballs. Russia has NEVER agreed to build a missile defense system, that hasn't changed in 23 years. But hey, if you guys want to believe that the USSR is poised to come back, what is logic and intelligence and reality going to do to stop you? Putin is a nationalistic thug, yes, but are you really THAT positive that he intends to take over the world? I'm not at all minimizing the seriousness of the current Georgia situation, but you must realize that not every world crisis is an existential threat to the US. No, probably you won't agree with that. The beauty of this new Cold War is that if McCain were President, he'd withdraw his promised government funding for alternative energies in order to build some shiny new military equipment.
small-question: this is often more than just poltics, it's about doing business in military hardware. Somewhere in the U.S. a military contractor just got paid for those systems.
lord peter: I think I must have misunderstood but did you just accuse Melyssa of being "anti-semetic" for pointing to a photo that shows oil pipelines and a BP logo and just happens to have star of David in the Georgia name? I think you missed what she was referencing in that photo although there could be some ethnic bias in the region no doubt. I'm sure you did not mean to misread her intent with that reference.
jeff: no doubt about bad foreign policy over the past 50+ years.
lord peter clearly has no clue about the past 2600 or so years in the history of Georgia.
Lord Peter (whoever you are) I am HARDLY anti-semetic! My boyfriend is as jewish as they get and from a prominent local jewish family. I love jews and am treated very well by his family.
And further, I'm no troll. I'm well known in my community and also known by the editor of this blog.
Shows you what you DON'T know! Before you judge people, do your homework, idiot!
--Melyssa
p.s. I am always suspect of people who give themselves made up titles like "lord" and troll the internet anonymously with their made up titles and posturing of superiority.
Melyssa, maybe you should take some time and actually read the rense website; it is well-known in the blogosphere for its anti-semitic posts.
And while I'm glad to hear that you are not anti-semitic, you should consider that linking to a picture on an anti-semitic website, which picture contains "Georgia" with a star of david in its name, and also contains two fighter jets adorned with Israeli flags, and then cryptically stating that this picture explains what's going on in Georgia...well, that's not the best way of making whatever non-anti-semitic point you were trying to make.
As for my username - if you don't understand the literary reference, Google can probably help you out.
I'm very well aware that it is perceived as anti-semetic and I often share what I read with my jewish friends. They aren't anti-semetic, the site is anti-zionist. There is a difference. And I really don't want to have this conversation on Gary's blog. I suggest that you learn the difference on your own.
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