Putin, reacting to U.S., issues threat on Europe

He says U.S. defense plans will force Russia to target weapons on neighbors

Source - MSNBC


I really dont know what to say to this. Ill let you guys chime in so I have some time to think about it.

Kaja

Either this is natural saber-rattling, or this is a situation starting to spin out of control.

The article notes that preset targeting of enemy cities is just a technicality since missiles can be targeted anywhere within minutes. While this capability doesn't seem to have much significance, back in the Cold War, it had all the significance in the world, as it allowed for the most effective first strike possible. I feel like it allows Russia a counterpoint to NATO's deployment of missile defenses, but again, these days, it doesn't hold as much weight as it once did.

Even so, these recent developments are making me think that we may have defined "enemy" for the next decade or so.

A cry for help maybe? So, what is it he wants anyway?

More then likely it is Putin trying to make it sound like a spin out of control so that the US Citizen's start to demand that it is not put into place.

They are talking 10-missiles in the area and that is not a threat to the massive Russian arsenal even when stated time and again it is a "Limited Defence System"

Course... I do admit the USA has had an awful lot of occasions where it starts small then escalates. Both in-country and abroad.

Looks a bit like the "Crypt Keeper" to me.

Anyway, this is nothing new. Putin has been issuing these threats against the United States almost from his inception as president of Russia. He is not an ally of the United States and isn't likely to be in the near future.

I personally think that he wants a conflict. Anyone who makes statements like, "If there is a missile defense system placed over the continental United States, we will consider it an act of war," should be watched closely.

Looks like the good ol' cold war is heating up again!

Should the U.S. put these millitary bases in Europe? Probably not, but the U.S. government is based upon Imperialism, and this is what we have. Also, Putin is probably making it sound far worse then it truly is so that he may expand his millitary, and millitary tech.

The unfortunate truth is that when ever there is a conflit between two groups they will exagerate it so they may accomplish their own agenda, and take advantage of the situation. Even if it means that they will spark more tensions in the world.

-Reform America

America, Russia - if you guys want to bash eachother, that's up to you I guess - but please don't start kicking your ball around in our yard, we've not long since got it fixed up from the last time.

russia has had targets on their neighbors for decades upon decades. this is nothing new. i find it interesting how Russia's new colors are red, white, and blue. just like America's which share the same colors as the UK. it seems the powers that be have a stranglehold on all of the above mentioned economies. sure, there may be tough talk here and there. but all of that does is cause more money to be spent which is a win-win situation for the elite.

Technically, the "new" Russian flag is actually the old Imperial Russian flag. Red, white, and blue are Pan-Slavic colors and have been adopted by most Slavic countries since the 19th century.

If they want to ally themselves with NATO the Eastern European countries need to understand that NATO's enemy automatically becomes their enemy. It's as simple as that. It is their decision to drag themselves into this new Cold War, and it's up to them to face the consequences.

It is their decision to drag themselves into this new Cold War, and it's up to them to face the consequences.

As usual it is not the people's choice to do things; it is whatever is good for the person making the decision.

It is easy to talk tough behind a keyboard, but honestly, do you really want to see / be involved in a third world war. Stop being a warmonger.

Who said anything about a world war? It's going to be a Cold War, and it is rather inevitable.

My reaction?

Hmm.

My considered opinion as a European is "so what?!".

Firstly, I disagree with the US having any military presence in Europe, It just isn't necessary.

Second, Russian/Soviet Union always 'targeted' Europe (amongst others). Is Putin trying to say European Cities and bases weren't 'in the firing line' since the fall of the Soviet Union? Does anyone buy that?

As others have said, its a moot point anyway given the time it takes to change the targets (can't this be done in flight as it is?)

p.

It is pure politics. The US simply wants to place a handful of defensive weapons to guard against rogue states. Russia has thousands of ICBMs. This defensive system poses zero threat to Russia so what else could it be other than his trying to remain relevant and in power.

To be a true Democracy there must be Freedom of Speech and Freedom of the Press. Putin's ability to control the press completely proves that Russia has not yet achieved a free society. All of his actions would indicate he wants the return of the failed Communist State of the USSR. I think the Russian Aristocracy is missing the bad old days when they could do whatever they want and hold power by force. It will be a couple of generations before Democracy takes hold. Once they made the mistake of letting their population have a taste of freedom turning back became a difficult thing to achieve. Putin is in the middle of a complex dance. How does he keep absolute power without turning the world against him and once again plunging Russia into a financial abyss?

For now, he has to play both sides of the fence. What he is doing now is playing to the old hard line base so he can remain in power. They still have a stranglehold on parts of Russian society which means he has to placate them from time to time with tough sounding rhetoric. His statements are most certainly for internal consumption and he could care less what the rest of the world thinks.

If anyone truly thinks that Russian missiles are not already pointed at Europe and the United States; I've got a bridge I'd love to sell you.

Originally posted by phoenix103

Firstly, I disagree with the US having any military presence in Europe, It just isn't necessary.

I completely agree. We should pull our troops out of Europe and secure our national borders with them. I wholeheartedly agree. America needs to start looking out for America; let the rest of the world do as it wishes.



[edit on 5-6-2007 by SpeakerofTruth]