Now this is deeply disturbing.. the pawns move

[SteamWake]

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Friday embarked on a four-nation Latin American tour seen as sending a defiant message to the United States at the close of the George W. Bush presidency.

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php...show_article=1

[AVGWarhawk]

I'm guessing we are looking at the Cuban Missile Crisis 2. He can hang out with Chavez. Play in the oil fields. Make few missile bases. Perhaps as a counter to missiles in Poland? Who knows.

[Sea Demon]

Where's President-elect Obama?!? Not a peep. Not surprised. But I think it would be appropriate for the new President-elect to address this. This is a hostile move by the Russians meant to jab at us for our intervention in Georgia. And is clearly meant as more tests for Mr. Obama. The prospects of the next 4 years are frightening.

Edit to add: AVG's right. Our missile defense proposals are a factor as well. Forgot about that. Even though Mr. Obama has shown a disdain for such a system. Like I said before in another thread, if Mr. Obama removes the missile defenses (and it's a real possibility), I have my doubts that it will affect Russian missile deployments in any way. That is, the Russians are going to put their missiles up Eastern Europe's rear-end regardless. Missile defense or no missile defense.

[Skybird]

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

I'm guessing we are looking at the Cuban Missile Crisis 2. He can hang out with Chavez. Play in the oil fields. Make few missile bases. Perhaps as a counter to missiles in Poland? Who knows.

Probably US interference in Georgia on his mind.

[AVGWarhawk]

Originally Posted by Skybird

Probably US interference in Georgia on his mind.

Just an added bonus for other thoughts on his mind. Also, there are attempts to make a another type OPEC but in the area of natural gas. Could be a possibility. Both countries are fat with oil.

[MothBalls]

Originally Posted by Sea Demon

Where's President-elect Obama?!? Not a peep. Not surprised. But I think it would be appropriate for the new President-elect to address this.

He can't. He has no power to do anything at this point. It's best that he maintain a low profile until he takes office.

[Jimbuna]

Russia analysts say Moscow's quest for influence in Latin America is intended to counter US influence in the former Soviet satellites of eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia.

It looks like AVG has made a good analysis

[Frame57]

Cold wars are better at sobering you up than a cold shower...

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

I'm guessing we are looking at the Cuban Missile Crisis 2. He can hang out with Chavez. Play in the oil fields. Make few missile bases. Perhaps as a counter to missiles in Poland? Who knows.

We'll see what happenes. But the way I see it, US and Russia are much more allies then they are enemies and have been so for some time. Even during the cold war their efforts weren't really aimed against each other but the various little proxy wars around the world.

Has there ever been such a long 'quiet' war between two world powers in the history of the world? Isn't it about time that these two either sorted out their problems and were open allies or fought it out. And yea I know, nukes blablabla. We've been hearing about the nukes since ever. I think the rest of the world has earned a rest from these two arrogant nations.

[August]

Originally Posted by OneToughHerring

Isn't it about time that these two either sorted out their problems and were open allies or fought it out. And yea I know, nukes blablabla. We've been hearing about the nukes since ever. I think the rest of the world has earned a rest from these two arrogant nations.

That is an amazing statement from someone whose country, along with every other world civilization, would be totally destroyed if we and the Russians ever fought it out.

"nukes blablabla" indeed... Its that kind of thinking that will be the cause of a nuclear war if it ever happens.

[SteamWake]

What are you all blind?

He is there to play kissy face with Hugo Chavez and their oil interests as well as the other things mentioned.

Originally Posted by August

That is an amazing statement from someone whose country, along with every other world civilization, would be totally destroyed if we and the Russians ever fought it out.

"nukes blablabla" indeed... Its that kind of thinking that will be the cause of a nuclear war if it ever happens.

Again with this same ol', same ol.

The present state of affairs in the world means wars, starvation, etc. negative things to a lot of people in the world. This is the world order as it stands now. The interests of USA, some European nations (close allies of US) and maybe some Far-East Asian countries come first. Russia is not an economic powerhouse but it seems to be edging itself there, still very shaky and all over the place economically, militarily very strong.

Imagine a world where USA and Russia were either allies or they just fought it out. And instead of nukes they would fight it out traditionally. You know, they would understand that nukes would be a bad thing for everyone so they would agree not to use them. They would only use traditional weapons, no ABC. They wouldn't rely on their allies (ok I admit, this is a bit of a leap but just imagine) and would fight the war mainly over the Bering strait. It would be mostly a naval conflict so lots of boats and subs but no ballistic nukes. This would mean relatively little damage to the rest of the world at least directly from the battles themselves.

Anyway, at the end one would emerge victories but both would have been dropped down a significant notch. No longer would either of them boss the rest of the world around. The end.

Anyway, pardon me, I'm just rambling here. I shall now resume my daily "duck and cover" - drills.

[Skybird]

with Brazil set to become - or already being - a regional leading power and the US having lost much sympathy in South America in general and having seen contempt for the US rising, Putin would be dump not trying to make hay while the sun is shining. It is a good opportunity for him, because different to the Russian'S ability to react to American interference in Georgia, there is little the US can do when South America is denying the North even more and makes friendship with the Russians - last but not least not only in defense to the US, but against the growing Chinese influence on the South American economy and market as well. as a german commenator yesterday said on TV: "the Southamericans may feel contempt for the US - but of China they are afraid."

[Takeda Shingen]

Originally Posted by OneToughHerring

Russia is not an economic powerhouse but it seems to be edging itself there, still very shaky and all over the place economically, militarily very strong.

You need money to run any military. They may certainly have a lot of toys, but how long can they keep gas in the tanks, bullets in the rifles and food in the stomachs? All of that costs money.

In short, Russia can certainly fight a war, but not a protracted one.

Originally Posted by Takeda Shingen

You need money to run any military. They may certainly have a lot of toys, but how long can they keep gas in the tanks, bullets in the rifles and food in the stomachs? All of that costs money.

In short, Russia can certainly fight a war, but not a protracted one.

True but I think Russia's whole system is geared towards war. You know, Russians are not big on flower arrangements so things look shabby but when push comes to shove, they will be ready. A lot of people throughout history have been fooled by Russia's apparent 'weakness' (Napoleon, Hitler) but they kinda learned a harsh lesson.

Having said this Russia hasn't really been tested fighting an equal opponent, at least lately. Neither has the USA so we don't really know how things would go. With nukes they can hold the rest of the world hostage, so to speak. With a traditional, no-ABC war they both stand to lose.