That seem to make sense, but add the condition the nuclear forces are in and the number of missiles and warheads that are still under Russian control, there are not that many left that ought to make it thru a missile shield.. hehe

Good for us.

I don't think it is the limited numbers of intercepters that is bothering the Russians, it is the radars that are associated with it that have coverage over Russian territory. These radars can be used for more than just defensive missiles.

How would America feel if Russia put a big hockin Phased Array radar on Cuba with the justification that it will be used to guard against Mexico launching Ballistic Missiles against Cuba?

I believe that our reaction would be, what is called in international policy circles as, "going apesh!t"

Remember that Russia does not know what the American foreign policy will be in the future. For that matter the US citizens don't know what the American foreign policy will be in the future.

Russia, like all nations, has both the legal and moral right to take protective measures when faced with actual or potential threats. As long as they keep on their side of the fence they can gnash their teeth all they want.

If they invade Poland... well invading a sovereign nation is just wrong ain't it?

We may not like the Russian reaction to our actions, but it is hardly unreasonable if the tables were turned.

So it is OK to have big friggen monster Radars that are watching the rest of the world, but Russia is a special case? Every country has radars that are watching other countries airspace. Get over it already is what I say to the Russians. It's not like that is going to be much different that a sat flying overhead!

If Cuba put up a friggen monster radar, I don't think anyone would care. The US Airspace is so saturated with RADAR anyway.

-S

:rotfl:

Yep. We do know the Russians don't like that big radar. Part of the significance to them is that it negates their ability to conduct a successful first strike against NATO countries. Lots of Early Warning for us. :up: What Russia doesn't consider is that we already have significant Early Warning capabilities with NORAD radars in North America and redundant space based systems. Mr. Putin, we can already see well inside your country. But if Russia is not hostile, is peaceful, and doesn't intend to conduct a nuclear first strike.......what are they worried about? Like was said above, this system would not be able to stop Russia from throwing a massed nuclear missile strike our way. The Russian's systems may not be as reliable as in the old days, but they are still plenty reliable and in significant enough numbers. What they don't like is our added Early Warning. But it really doesn't add much to what we already have in that area.

Actually, they tried this stuff for 15 or so years. Poland, Czech ... etc reward them by joining NATO. I can see why they are trying something else now.

Such considerations were what was behind the ABM Treaty and also behind the US's objection to Cyprus gaining S-300s. Of course, when it comes to Russia ... all such calcs went out the window.

NORAD radars in North America, thanks to line of sight, can only see missiles as they rise very high, or bombers as they approach. Space based surveillance can spot ICBM flashes as they launch. Neither is comparable to what a high capability radar close to the Russian border can see.

They are worried about how reducing their options in that direction, and how that affects the balance of power.

And before you laugh, I say again, the US has actually accepted and even promoted this viewpoint with Cyprus, and that's b/w nominal NATO allies.