Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov Says U.S. Trying to Encircle Russia With Missile Plan

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Sounds like cold war rhetoric to me. Will this be another part of the Bush legacy?

------------------------------------------------------------
U.S. missile plan aims to encircle Russia: Lavrov (http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070518/ts_nm/russia_usa_dc_1;_ylt=AhL4talJ0b3BePhXS50MfPAE1vAI)
MOSCOW (Reuters) - A U.S. plan to build a missile defense shield in eastern Europe is part of a scheme to encircle Russia, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday.

Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said this week they had failed to bridge their long-standing differences over U.S. plans to put 10 missile interceptors in Poland and radar in the Czech Republic as part of a system to shield Europe from missile attack.

"These Czech and Polish locations perfectly fit into the overall global design of the American missile defense which is surrounding the perimeters of the Russian borders," Lavrov told the BBC World television channel, speaking in English.

"If you keep them in Poland and the Czech Republic, it's a perfect place to intercept Russian ballistic missiles located in the northwest part of Russia."

Lavrov's comments came three days after Rice said the two countries had agreed to tone down their rhetoric. Recent remarks have revived memories of the Cold War.

[Rohirrim]

Perhaps some geopolitical wizard could explain to me why we have to spend billions on a missile defense system aimed at Russia?

[Hotrod]

communist propaganda nothing to worry about here.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Perhaps some geopolitical wizard could explain to me why we have to spend billions on a missile defense system aimed at Russia?There is no one on this planet that can explain that Neocon strategy, not even Rove.

[W*GS]

Perhaps some geopolitical wizard could explain to me why we have to spend billions on a missile defense system aimed at Russia?

Because that's not what it's for?

[Hotrod]

Because that's not what it's for?

No details please.....move along

[Hotrod]

I seriously dont have a problem with the shield. Hell Russia has enough missles to blow thru a shield.

This is all big boy tuff talk nothing more.

[W*GS]

That's my point, Hotrod - Russian whingeing is just that.

I do find it ridiculous that if (say) North Korea launches an ICBM at us, there's absolutely nothing we can do about it except watch to see where it goes.

[Bronco Bob]

Because that's not what it's for?

Then what is it for?

[W*GS]

Then what is it for?

Probably to protect against a missile launch from Iran. Russia has thousands of ICBMs; it poses no threat to them at all. Putin and his cabal are merely feeling their oats - they're getting rich from the high price of oil, and they're flexing their muscles...

[Bronco Bob]

Probably to protect against a missile launch from Iran. Russia has thousands of ICBMs; it poses no threat to them at all. Putin and his cabal are merely feeling their oats - they're getting rich from the high price of oil, and they're flexing their muscles...

That's just plain stupid to put them in Poland then. Don't the idiots in the
WH even know how to read a map? If Iran is the reason, which I doubt,
Turkey is a much better location to protect against missiles from Iran.

[W*GS]

That's just plain stupid to put them in Poland then. Don't the idiots in the WH even know how to read a map? If Iran is the reason, which I doubt, Turkey is a much better location to protect against missiles from Iran.

Turkey isn't as politically reliable as Poland.

What's your opinion as to the purpose of the system? Piss off the Russians?

[Cito Pelon]

Lavrov can complain all he wants to. I support the move. Russia has to be kicked in the crotch before they understand anything. Same with China.

These two are big obstacles to progress.

[mhgaffney]

Probably to protect against a missile launch from Iran. Russia has thousands of ICBMs; it poses no threat to them at all. Putin and his cabal are merely feeling their oats - they're getting rich from the high price of oil, and they're flexing their muscles...

You are really good at regurgitating the Bush line. Where'd you hear it? On FOX?

No, there is no missile thrteat from Iran. The Russian general is correct.

Through the Bush years the US has been moving closer to a first strike nuclear capability against both China and Russia.

China has a total of about 20 ICBMs and Russia's early warning radar collapsed after the breakup of tghe USSR.

If you don't believe me check this out this article in Foreign Affairs from last spring.

http://www.foreignaffairs.org/20060301faessay85204-p0/keir-a-lieber-daryl-g-press/the-rise-of-u-s-nuclear-primacy.html

[Bronco Bob]

Lavrov can complain all he wants to. I support the move. Russia has to be kicked in the crotch before they understand anything. Same with China.

These two are big obstacles to progress.

Well there is some genius thinking. Attack the two countries
capable of wiping most the USA off the map with their nukes.

[W*GS]

No, there is no missile thrteat from Iran.

See

http://www.iranwatch.org/wmd/wmd-missilecharts.htm

Through the Bush years the US has been moving closer to a first strike nuclear capability against both China and Russia.

The US has never (IIRC) tied itself to a no-first-use policy. This is not a new feature of the Bush administration.

[Rohirrim]

I've got an idea! Why don't we constuct webs of cultural, diplomatic and economic ties with our former enemies so that all sides can stop spending their wealth on weapons systems?

Naaaaw! Nevermind. We make way too much money on weapons.

[Cito Pelon]

Well there is some genius thinking. Attack the two countries
capable of wiping most the USA off the map with their nukes.

It's a strategic move. A 'walk softly, but carry a big stick' move. This is one of the few strategic moves I've seen from the GWB administration that I think has a long-term value. It was dang smart to give Poland F-16's, really dang smart. The Poles will use those weapons well, and Russia is scared to death what the Poles will do if pushed again, and rightfully so.

Clinton set the stage for this by bringing the Baltic states and Poland into NATO. Russia has to be contained, they have to be brought to the bargaining table. The only way to do that is to smack them strategically, history has shown that time after time. Russia will back down. They won't be a team player in Europe, they will always be a bogeyman waiting to take advantage of weakness. But they won't attack strength, they only attack weakness.

So we'll see how it plays out. I strongly support any strategic move that isolates Russia and China. Welcoming them into geopolitics historically has not worked. They're grabbers, they have way too much appetite for power.

If you want to make an argument for an inclusive strategy with those two, that's fine with me. Heard it before - since the day I was born. It doesn't work with those two. They only understand a kick in the crotch. Repetetive kicks in the crotch, actually. That's the only way to bring them to the bargaining table.

[mhgaffney]

It's a strategic move. A 'walk softly, but carry a big stick' move. This is one of the few strategic moves I've seen from the GWB administration that I think has a long-term value. It was dang smart to give Poland F-16's, really dang smart. The Poles will use those weapons well, and Russia is scared to death what the Poles will do if pushed again, and rightfully so.

Clinton set the stage for this by bringing the Baltic states and Poland into NATO. Russia has to be contained, they have to be brought to the bargaining table. The only way to do that is to smack them strategically, history has shown that time after time. Russia will back down. They won't be a team player in Europe, they will always be a bogeyman waiting to take advantage of weakness. But they won't attack strength, they only attack weakness.

So we'll see how it plays out. I strongly support any strategic move that isolates Russia and China. Welcoming them into geopolitics historically has not worked. They're grabbers, they have way too much appetite for power.

If you want to make an argument for an inclusive strategy with those two, that's fine with me. Heard it before - since the day I was born. It doesn't work with those two. They only understand a kick in the crotch. Repetetive kicks in the crotch, actually. That's the only way to bring them to the bargaining table.

Since when has GW Bush been interested in bargaining tables? Like never. He's more into ultimatums and shock and awe. The one cionstant of the Bush administration has been its refusal to negotiate.

As for scaring Russia -- you might have a point. But let me ask you this: Why would you want to scare a nation that has nuukular ICBMs (to borrow a Bushism) pointed at you?

This doesn't sound like a smart move to me. No, it sounds damn stupid.

In fact, putting those ABMs in Poland is the stupidest US move since we deployed the Jupiter missiles in Turkey -- which inspired Nikita Kruschev to send nuclear missiles to Cuba in 1962.

And we all know the rest. Do you really want a replay of that scenario?

[ak1971]

Since when has GW Bush been interested in bargaining tables? Like never. He's more into ultimatums and shock and awe. The one cionstant of the Bush administration has been its refusal to negotiate.

As for scaring Russia -- you might have a point. But let me ask you this: Why would you want to scare a nation that has nuukular ICBMs (to borrow a Bushism) pointed at you?

This doesn't sound like a smart move to me. No, it sounds damn stupid.

In fact, putting those ABMs in Poland is the stupidest US move since we deployed the Jupiter missiles in Turkey -- which inspired Nikita Kruschev to send nuclear missiles to Cuba in 1962.

And we all know the rest. Do you really want a replay of that scenario?

fkjabfkbafoebfebfiebflkfefbeqbflo

[mhgaffney]

Like Einstein said, nuclear weapons have changed everything -- except the way men think. And you are a perfect example of this principle.

I shall continue to believe in intelligent life in the universe -- even tho it often seems there's none here on planet earth.

MHG

[yavoon]

Like Einstein said, nuclear weapons have changed everything -- except the way men think. And you are a perfect example of this principle.

I shall continue to believe in intelligent life in the universe -- even tho it often seems there's none here on planet earth.

MHG

ur so elite ghaffs. its awesome to behold.

[Hotrod]

ur so elite ghaffs. its awesome to behold.

Hes one of a kind thats for sure Ha!

[Cito Pelon]

Since when has GW Bush been interested in bargaining tables? Like never. He's more into ultimatums and shock and awe. The one cionstant of the Bush administration has been its refusal to negotiate.

As for scaring Russia -- you might have a point. But let me ask you this: Why would you want to scare a nation that has nuukular ICBMs (to borrow a Bushism) pointed at you?

This doesn't sound like a smart move to me. No, it sounds damn stupid.

In fact, putting those ABMs in Poland is the stupidest US move since we deployed the Jupiter missiles in Turkey -- which inspired Nikita Kruschev to send nuclear missiles to Cuba in 1962.

And we all know the rest. Do you really want a replay of that scenario?

You're kind of a loathesome dude. If you didn't pepper your reply with "stupid" at the head and then repeated it in the middle, I'd reply to you.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

It's a strategic move. A 'walk softly, but carry a big stick' move. This is one of the few strategic moves I've seen from the GWB administration that I think has a long-term value. It was dang smart to give Poland F-16's, really dang smart. The Poles will use those weapons well, and Russia is scared to death what the Poles will do if pushed again, and rightfully so.

Clinton set the stage for this by bringing the Baltic states and Poland into NATO. Russia has to be contained, they have to be brought to the bargaining table. The only way to do that is to smack them strategically, history has shown that time after time. Russia will back down. They won't be a team player in Europe, they will always be a bogeyman waiting to take advantage of weakness. But they won't attack strength, they only attack weakness.

So we'll see how it plays out. I strongly support any strategic move that isolates Russia and China. Welcoming them into geopolitics historically has not worked. They're grabbers, they have way too much appetite for power.

If you want to make an argument for an inclusive strategy with those two, that's fine with me. Heard it before - since the day I was born. It doesn't work with those two. They only understand a kick in the crotch. Repetetive kicks in the crotch, actually. That's the only way to bring them to the bargaining table.It's an ignorant move. There is no possible way to shoot down ICBMs with ICBMs. It's a huge drain and waste of taxpayer money and fosters more world hate against the U.S.

[Hotrod]

It's an ignorant move. There is no possible way to shoot down ICBMs with ICBMs. It's a huge drain and waste of taxpayer money and fosters more world hate against the U.S.

1. Maybe....Maybe not
2. If its not possible whats Russia bitching about?

[bendog]

It would be useful vis a vis Iran or NK ... or China. Those countries fear a first strike from the US, justifiably so with the neocons. But, suppose some radicals would get control over some of paks', or something along those lines. It doesn't work now. What bushii and vonrunny wanted to do along is to deploy it, regardless of cost of effectiveness, because once it's deployed it's there and it binds the hands of all subsequent admins. Not to mention subcontractors make millions, and contribute to the neocons.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

1. Maybe....Maybe not I'll wait patiently while you show me anything that says you can do what I said you couldn't.

2. If its not possible whats Russia b****ing about?Let me take a wild stab at this one.........Uh, the same thing the U.S. would be b*tching about if Russia was filling up Mexico and Cuba with missiles?

[BKK]

Not Bushes legacy. Putins to a T.

[W*GS]

There is no possible way to shoot down ICBMs with ICBMs.

What technology do you propose?

It's a huge drain and waste of taxpayer money

Compared to what? Kim Jong-Il lobbing a nuke at Seattle?

and fosters more world hate against the U.S.

You make it sound as if the US always and forever has to sample world opinion before it does anything. Is this true? Could it ever be the case that the US can act unilaterally without a go-ahead from the rest of the world?

[Rohirrim]

Come on, Wigs, even you must know that the anti-missile system is a joke? Did you see the trials in Alaska? They were an embarassment. Why create this diplomatic flak for a completely useless threat?

[W*GS]

Come on, Wigs, even you must know that the anti-missile system is a joke? Did you see the trials in Alaska? They were an embarassment. Why create this diplomatic flak for a completely useless threat?

I'm not as confident as you. As it is, nothing keeps a dork like Kim Jong-Il or other flake from launching a single ICBM towards us. Granted, a nuke in a container transported on a ship is more likely, but being utterly defenseless against a rogue nuke is ridiculous.

[Bronco Bob]

I'm not as confident as you. As it is, nothing keeps a dork like Kim Jong-Il or other flake from launching a single ICBM towards us. Granted, a nuke in a container transported on a ship is more likely, but being utterly defenseless against a rogue nuke is ridiculous.

I still don't get how an ABM system in Poland is going to defend Seattle
against an ICBM fired from North Korea.

[Hotrod]

I'll wait patiently while you show me anything that says you can do what I said you couldn't.
Let me take a wild stab at this one.........Uh, the same thing the U.S. would be b*tching about if Russia was filling up Mexico and Cuba with missiles?

Well since you obviously have top secret clearance and know what the military is capable of how can I argue with you.

Maybe we should let them put up a missle defense shield in Mexico since you know for a fact they are worthless.

[W*GS]

I still don't get how an ABM system in Poland is going to defend Seattle against an ICBM fired from North Korea.

The ABM in Poland will help against a missile fired from Iran or Pakistan. The ABM in Japan will help protect against a North Korean ICBM.

[Bronco Bob]

Well since you obviously have top secret clearance and know what the military is capable of how can I argue with you.

Maybe we should let them put up a missle defense shield in Mexico since you know for a fact they are worthless.

Or maybe we should let the Russian put their missiles back in Cuba since
the missile defense is such a great system.

[Hotrod]

Or maybe we should let the Russian put their missiles back in Cuba since
the missile defense is such a great system.

Ya that would be a bad idea since you and Sluggo already know the system does not work and will never work. That top secret info your both prevy to must be fun to browse thru huh???

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Well since you obviously have top secret clearance and know what the military is capable of how can I argue with you.
Maybe we should let them put up a missle defense shield in Mexico since you know for a fact they are worthless.I've followed every step of this bogus system (the ICBM part) for the last 6 years. Have you been paying attention to what is going on with it? I've posted link after link showing that simplest countermeasures will defeat the system, have you been paying attention?

Do you have any idea what has happened with the tests of this bogus system?

[Hotrod]

I've followed every step of this bogus system (the ICBM part) for the last 6 years. Have you been paying attention to what is going on with it? I've posted link after link showing that simplest countermeasures will defeat the system, have you been paying attention?

Do you have any idea what has happened with the tests of this bogus system?

Do you know what changes have been made to the system. Do you know if all the tests have been made public for your viewing pleasure? Do you know for a fact that it will never work. If so I'd love to hear the details and forward them to the experts working on the project so they can take a break.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Do you know what changes have been made to the system. Changes to what, when?

Do you know if all the tests have been made public for your viewing pleasure? Uh, it's pretty easy to understand that an ICBM test is impossible to keep secret, think about it.

Do you know for a fact that it will never work. If so I'd love to hear the details and forward them to the experts working on the project so they can take a break. What "experts"? What I know is what the top scientists in the world say which is it's impossible to shoot down ICBMs with ICBMs. A laser defense system will someday be able to do that, ICBMs won't.

I've posted the facts of the tests and why ICBMs can't down ICBMs in the Missile Defense threads.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Ya that would be a bad idea since you and Sluggo already know the system does not work and will never work. That top secret info your both prevy to must be fun to browse thru huh???Here's another reason (not even the main reason) shooting down ICBMs with ICBMs doesn't work.

I think it's becoming pretty clear Bush has moved us into another cold war.

----------------------------------------------------------------
Russia tests new rocket to beat missile defenses (http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070529/ts_nm/russia_missile_dc_3;_ylt=Av4_5k10KFHGRdAzOyDBhx4E1 vAI)
By Michael Stott 21 minutes ago

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia successfully test-fired a new intercontinental ballistic missile on Tuesday featuring multiple warheads which can overcome missile defense systems, the defense Ministry said.

A ministry spokesman said the RS-24 missile was fired from a mobile launcher at 1020 GMT from the Plesetsk cosmodrome about 800 km (500 miles) north of Moscow.


http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/nm/20070529/2007_05_29t075048_450x270_us_russia_missile.jpg?x= 380&y=228&sig=EOoC7WSEMjbvjzehxZqr7w--
Soldiers march during a World War Two victory parade at the Red Square in Moscow May 9, 2007. Russia test-fired a new intercontinental ballistic missile on Tuesday featuring multiple warheads which can be independently targeted, Russian agencies reported. (Denis Sinyakov/Reuters)



Less than an hour later, Russia's Strategic Missile Forces command said the missile had hit its targets at the Kura test site on the sparsely inhabited far eastern peninsula of Kamchatka to the north of Japan.

"The RS-24 intercontinental ballistic missile will strengthen the military potential of Russia's strategic rocket forces to overcome anti-missile defense systems and thereby strengthen the potential nuclear deterrent of Russia's strategic nuclear forces," the Strategic Missile Forces command said in a statement.

The launch comes amid a row between Moscow and Washington over U.S. plans to build a system in Europe to detect and shoot down hostile missiles.

Russia believes the missile defense shield is a threat to its security while Washington dismisses such fears, saying the shield is intended to counter rogue states.

President Vladimir Putin promised in February this year a "highly effective response" to any U.S. efforts to deploy missile defenses, raising fears of a new arms race between the former Cold War foes.

Further escalating the tension, First Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov said on Tuesday that the deployment of medium and short range missiles by Russia's neighbors to the east and south now posed a "real threat."

"The Soviet-American treaty (on intermediate nuclear forces) is not effective because since (its signature) scores of countries have appeared that have such missiles while Russia and the United States are not allowed to have them," Ivanov told a military-industrial commission in the southern city of Znamensk.

"In these conditions, it is necessary to provide our troops with modern, high-precision weapons."

Ivanov, a former defense minister and leading hawk, is widely tipped as a front-runner to succeed President Vladimir Putin in elections next March though he has not said whether he will run.

The new RS-24 missile tested on Tuesday can be armed with up to 10 different warheads and is intended to replace Russia's earlier generation intercontinental missiles such as the RS-18 and RS-20.

Its development is part of a drive to re-equip Russia's military with updated weaponry and replace hardware dating from the Cold War.

Missiles carrying multiple independently targeted warheads are more difficult to intercept and destroy completely once they have been fired, making defenses against them much harder.

[Spider]

Hilarious! Missile defense as we have it today doesnt work , think of it like this , I put you on the 20 yard line with a .22 scope , heat seeking sensors ,then tell you , when so and so in the opposite endzone fires his .22 , I want you to shoot his slug and stop it ..... As for why Russia is pissed ? Russia puts Nukes into Canada and Mexico , call it Missile defense system , lets see how you react ?
Man we are really pissing people off when we dont have to ..... Thats Bad ju ju ....

[colosilverado]

Hilarious! Missile defense as we have it today doesnt work , think of it like this , I put you on the 20 yard line with a .22 scope , heat seeking sensors ,then tell you , when so and so in the opposite endzone fires his .22 , I want you to shoot his slug and stop it ..... As for why Russia is pissed ? Russia puts Nukes into Canada and Mexico , call it Missile defense system , lets see how you react ?
Man we are really pissing people off when we dont have to ..... Thats Bad ju ju ....


The 'shield missles" aren't nukes, are they?

[Bronco Bob]

Hilarious! Missile defense as we have it today doesnt work , think of it like this , I put you on the 20 yard line with a .22 scope , heat seeking sensors ,then tell you , when so and so in the opposite endzone fires his .22 , I want you to shoot his slug and stop it ..... As for why Russia is pissed ? Russia puts Nukes into Canada and Mexico , call it Missile defense system , lets see how you react ?
Man we are really pissing people off when we dont have to ..... Thats Bad ju ju ....

With Russia's newest missiles that are able to carry 10 warheads each,
it would be more like trying to shoot down shotgun pellets with your .22.
Plus these are on mobile systems, so if someone got the bright idea
of launching a first strike to take out the Russian missiles and then using a
missile defense to mop up any left-overs fired back, that plan is DOA.

[Hotrod]

http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-05-28-voa23.cfm

Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for an emergency meeting on the future of a major Cold War arms treaty.

The Foreign Ministry in Moscow says Mr. Putin is asking all signatories to the Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty to meet in Vienna on June 12.

The deal was first signed in 1990 to limit the number of non-nuclear weapons in Europe. It was amended in 1999, but some NATO nations are refusing to ratify the new version until Moscow pulls its troops out of Georgia and Moldova.

Moscow says the issue has nothing to do with the treaty. It has also suspended its adherence to the pact to protest U.S. plans to build a missile defense system in Eastern Europe.

Meanwhile, the White House says Mr. Putin and President Bush spoke about several issues in a telephone conversation Monday.

A spokesman said they stressed the importance of a continued dialogue and say they look forward to meeting at next week's Groups of Eight summit in Germany.

U.S. Russian relations have been strained recently over Washington's plans for the missile defense system in Poland and the Czech Republic and also U.S. support for supervised independence for Kosovo, the majority ethnic Albanian province of Serbia.

[TheDave]

Can this system stop mininukes ???

[Hotrod]

Can this system stop mininukes ???

Only mini-nukes gaff can stop future mini-nukes.

[Spider]

The 'shield missles" aren't nukes, are they?

no but they could be just add the warhead and the RAMM .. or worse yet add chemical warheads .....me and a`buddy of mine picked up 2 loads that was crated( in Maryland ) a few years back going to San Diego , when we got to San Diego , they cracked open the crates , sent us to different buildings to unload each one , I saw 3 missiles gray in color , didnt think anything of it , well talking to Doms son who is in the navy he said the gray ones were hot and ready , whatever in the hell that means .........

[Bronco_Beerslug]

With Russia's new found wealth (from selling oil to China and the EU) they are more than positioned to play keep up with Bush and the Neocons.

The latest...

--------------------------------------------------------------
Putin says missile test response to U.S. moves (http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070531/ts_nm/russia_usa_missile_dc_2)

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia's test firing of an intercontinental ballistic missile on Tuesday was in response to U.S. steps that have sparked an arms race and undermined world security, Russian President
Vladimir Putin said on Thursday.

"Our American partners have left the ABM (Anti-Ballistic Missile) Treaty. We have warned them then that we will come out with a response to maintain the strategic balance in the world," Putin told a news conference.

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/nm/20070531/2007_05_31t081824_450x311_us_russia_usa_missile.jp g?x=380&y=262&sig=pLdGzu1pVBB.u6jyRWIjCg--
Russia's President Vladimir Putin anwers questions during a joint news conference with Luxembourg's Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker after a meeting at the Senningen Castle in Luxembourg in this May 24, 2007 file photo. Putin said on Thursday Russia's test firing of an intercontinental ballistic missile on Tuesday was in response to U.S. steps that have upset the strategic balance. (Thierry Roge/Reuters)

"We conducted a test of a new strategic ballistic missile with multiple warheads, and of a new cruise missile, and will continue to improve our resources."

"We are not the initiators of this new round of the arms race," said Putin. "(Our partners) are stuffing eastern Europe with new weapons. A new base in Bulgaria, another in Romania, a site in Poland, radar in the Czech Republic . . . what are we supposed to do? We cannot just observe all this."

Russia test-fired a new intercontinental ballistic missile on Tuesday featuring multiple warheads that senior officials said could pierce any missile defense system, including the planned U.S. shield in Europe.

Russia says the U.S. missile defense shield is a threat to its security and will change the strategic balance in Europe, but Washington dismisses such fears, saying the shield is intended to counter "rogue states."

[Hotrod]

With Russia's new found wealth (from selling oil to China and the EU) they are more than positioned to play keep up with Bush and the Neocons.

Not to mention their sales of weapons to Syria and onto Iran. Hell they are buying up a 17 acre chunck of downtown Jerusalim (sp) whats that all about?[/