My way or the highway !
 

Russian president Dmitri Medvedev

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/s...n--update.html

Somebody needs to tell this guy that missile defense systems only target incoming missiles, not territory.

Are you sure about that? If I were a Russian I would only see new missles close to my borders. Who guarantees me that those things can't be used for offensive missions?

I guess the Russians won't be allowed to inspect the missle shield installations frequently, will they?

You know Germany only defended itself in 1939 against Poland. ;)

You mean transform a surface to air missile into a strategic weapon delivery system? Ain't that like saying you could use a tank as a battleship?

As for inspections, I don't see why not. Their intended use would certainly strengthen the argument for open inspections.

Oh might also want to point out that all this diatribe is the result of a 'secret' letter sent to the Russian President by the Oministration.

So much for full disclosure.

Im not even going to get into O's plans & promises for the middle east.

@August
Try to see it from the Russian point of view.
Who guarantees you that ALL those missles are just SAMs? I think it is not that difficult to disguise missles as SAMs that are in fact cruise missles or something similar to that.
All Russia sees are new missles close to it's borders and no way to determine for sure what they are.

Well like I said the purpose of these sites is to defend against Iranian or rogue nation attacks. In that light i'd think that allowing the Russians in for regular inspections would be in order.

Of course similar inspections of new Russian bases in Venezuela might be in order as well. What was it that Reagan said? "Trust but verify"?

A missile is a missile is a missile. Can't say I blame the guy for not wanting these hanging around his neighborhood. I suspect we would feel the same if Russian missiles were say, 80 miles off the coast of the US:hmmm: What, this sounds familiar:hmmm:

The Russians have a history of being paranoid, and i don't blame them at all, every major power has stepped over their land, Germany, France, Kangis Kong, etc etc, I don't blame them, if i were a russian I'd be thinking there would be more than just surface to air missiles...gotta look at the situation through a Russkie point of view.

Yea I still have childhood memories of being told how to hide under a bed, desk, whatever... duck and cover.

I also remember seeing the sudden increase in military air traffic over my neighborhood reinforcing the trepidation. I lived in Miami at the time.

So you kind of get the idea what Russia thinks of these missiles parked off their border. It does become a bargaining chip for Russia as we see in this instance.

Well I understood that to begin with. The point was really about the Russian Pres. dictating to the Oministration.

A small taste of the realitys of foriegn affairs.

:har:

No it wasn't The point you were trying to make was that Obama lacks common sense.

Once again, you spin....you said Mouse!

That was the russian Presidents words not mine.

Obama lacks a lot when it comes to foreign affairs. Hopefully his understanding of human nature will help him through.

Even when dealing with cultures totally ailen to his 'activist' background... lets hope so.

The Russians are obviously aware of this and the fact that it is a defensive missile shield matters. It's throwing the nuclear scales out of balance. If an effective BMD system goes online, then it means that Russia can be nuked but cannot nuke back. Russia wants to do everything in its power to maintain its second strike capability.

Doesn't Russia still have some boomers in service or are they all land based now?

The number of ABM missiles that are being based there would be overwhelmed if the Russians launched an attack (not that it's likely!). I can understand the Russians being nervous having it so close though.

I can see both sides arguments/perceptions here.......the game goes on regardless :hmmm: