"Hardliner set for Serbia poll win"

[sonar732]

Originally Posted by joea

Hmmm which is just like NATO reserving all options, including nuclear, in the case of a Warsaw Pact conventional attack. This when the Soviets had massive conventional superiority.

joea, this is true to a certain extent. However, in the cold war, that type of doctorine was a no brainer. Both sides threatened each other with nucs. We are at a critical time in history in which all nuclear capable countries use that as a trump card and aren't afraid to state it. The US recently quoted it as "all options are on the table", while the Israelis also said the same regarding Iran using any type of nuclear attack. So, of course Russia would follow the example lead by the jewish state and the US.

Regarding Serbia...the only way I see something bad come out of this new election is if the elected nationalist president attacks KFOR soldiers. Unlike the Yugoslav civil war, the UN wouldn't allow it this time. It won't even depend on the nationality because within hours the Security Council will meet and throw out a resolution for use of force, which Russia will veto, and then the KFOR nations would have to react on their own accord. Russia would be pissed at the ability of the council members to ignore their veto and send a few subs to the Med and Adriatic Seas as reminders of what they stated earlier.

Regarding Iran...I'm sure that no matter what type of conflict happens here, Russia will get involved with either troops, nucs, or both. They would see what the armed conflict will do to the world economy regarding oil prices at the start, and defend Iran as a chance to prove they are still capable of projecting their influence. Otherwise, I think the only way that their opinion will sway is if an Islamic Extremist attack is launched within Chetznia with ties to Iran.

As a final note...let's just pray that cooler heads prevail in all world situations and that diplomacy stays firm.