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
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]

Originally Posted by Rohirrim

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]

Originally Posted by Rohirrim

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]

Originally Posted by W*GS

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]

Originally Posted by W*GS

Because that's not what it's for?

Then what is it for?

[W*GS]

Originally Posted by Bronco Bob

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]

Originally Posted by W*GS

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]

Originally Posted by Bronco Bob

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]

Originally Posted by W*GS

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/200603...r-primacy.html

[Bronco Bob]

Originally Posted by 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.

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

[W*GS]

Originally Posted by mhgaffney

No, there is no missile thrteat from Iran.

See

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

Originally Posted by mhgaffney

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]

Originally Posted by Bronco Bob

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]

Originally Posted by Cito Pelon

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]

Originally Posted by mhgaffney

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]

Originally Posted by 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

ur so elite ghaffs. its awesome to behold.

[Hotrod]

Originally Posted by yavoon

ur so elite ghaffs. its awesome to behold.

Hes one of a kind thats for sure

[Cito Pelon]

Originally Posted by mhgaffney

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]

Originally Posted by Cito Pelon

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.