Are we moving toward a new cold war?

QUOTE

Russian President Vladimir Putin has again blasted a planned US missile shield in Europe and warned that Moscow could redeploy missiles aimed at targets on the continent.

'If the US nuclear potential extends across the European territory, we will have to get new targets in Europe,' Putin said in an interview to newspapers from the Group of Eight most industrialised nations.

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Looks like it to me in any case.

What on earth is that missile shield for again? To protect Europe from incoming shit?

Looks like if it isn't coming from one side it's coming from the other. Why is the USA involved again in that missile shield?

Let's take a plunge in the past.

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Deployment of U.S. missile-defense bases in Poland and the Czech Republic is an attempt by the U.S. to control Europe, the former Soviet president said Thursday.

"It is all about influence and domination in Europe," Mikhail Gorbachev said. "I believe it is wrong that America did not even bother to consult its NATO allies."

Later on, May 24 of this year:

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Russia's president said Thursday the U.S. should have consulted European nations on whether they needed to be protected with the help of U.S. missile defense elements in Central Europe.

"I think, given the modern tendencies of international relations, that if the Americans wanted, they would have obtained such a request [for protection]. But they should have obtained it first. As it is, it just looks like bad manners," Vladimir Putin told journalists.

Ok.. could you please use the brain and not aim your weaponry at us, who basically got stomped over on this issue? Even better, could this stupidity of "who is the strongest" be put to rest?

I seriously see a new cold war coming from this. And possibly worse.

No. And the explanation is that Russia is not driven by any fundamental ideology. All they do now is for image purpose nothing more nothing less... it caters to Russian ego, there's no real threat.

I sure hope you're right.

While I agree it is just two loud arses farting at each other at this point in time it does have the potential to become a real stink. The missile defense shield is, aside from quite useless, something that was clearly defined as a no-no in the NPT… you know that document that would have had the nuclear nations disarmed if they didn’t ignore it anyway while using it as means to demonize countries they don’t like which undertake legit actions under said treaty.

I regress…

The simple fact is Russia would be well within it’s rights and crazy if they didn't redeply mobile, mostly subs, launch platforms into positions to strike at the US. Why? Well even with friendly ground this defense system give the US the feeling of ‘security,’ hollow but still there, to launch an attack against Russia. With Russia already clearly taking a interest in Iran by supplying them with Anti-Air and Anti-Ship missiles the likes most people can’t imagine, any war with Iran could easily pull Russia into it. If that war then goes down hill the US might feel they can withstand, thanks to this ‘shield’ a nuclear strike.

It has a lot of ifs and maybes and buts to get to that point but a leader have to be looking forward. Russia is generally pissed because they know they might not be at peace with the US forever. The actions the US have taken in placing these defense missiles, obviously targeted at Russia, is showing that the US is thinking that way too. Not just thinking but taking steps so it can bomb Russia at some time in the future if it decides to do so.... That can always lead to tension, much like when the US and Russia had missiles within striking distance of each nation that sparked that whole Cuba thing.

I would be worried too if I led Russia and would have already moved missiles in close enough to strike through this shield at a moments notice and minimal travel time. Not good when you consider how many ‘close calls’ the two nations have had, even at peacetime, thanks to faults in monitoring equipment.

Russians are the biggest hypocrites, they know very well that that missile shield would not stop Russians rockets, would not be possible for a shield in Czech Republic to stop a nuclear rocket fired from a Russian sub. Not to mention that the few Patriots there would not be able to intercept thousands of ICBM that Russia could fire off at any time. That's ridiculous. Even suggesting that that shield is anti-Russia is ludicrous, that it solely intended to defend against missiles fired by countries like Iran, Pakistan and possible NK, or at most a stray rocket fired by a drunk Russian commander, while this is probably useless and we can talk about its real utility (most likely defending the pockets of people who run defense companies rather then defending US bases and US allies) it isn't any danger for Russians and they know it.

I would put it down to the trust issue oh and politics…

Even though we both agree that it useless against Russia, though I say the placements in Europe are also useless against Iran and other countries, I think it is part of politics to be up in arms over even this token gesture of hostility. It is as if some of the trust has been stripped away and all, really, for nothing. As I said above, even without the defence systems usefulness, it is a reminder that the two countries where once at each others throats. As welll as the clear indication that the Bush administration still views them as an threat. Pretty hard to feel a bond of trust when you have a constant reminder that you both might be back on the war footing at any moment.

Oh and a little ‘*Removed* you’ from Bush to show just how little he cares about Russian opinion. It is politics… that pretty much is the only way to sum up both the useless placements as well as the Russian response. Politics of this sort is always dangerous.

We are not specialists in nuclear missiles and we see very clear that that shield is useless against Russia, don't you think that US Army is professional enough to know that too, same for Russians?

Doesn’t stop the urinating up the wall con-*test*-('") that is politics.

Developement: "Nato condemns Putin missile vow"

Now it remains for Europe to say: "We don't do commerce with countries that point nuclear weapons to us"... but do they have the balls?

from http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/06/05...rope/index.html

QUOTE

"Russia's not our enemy," Bush said, adding that the missile defense shield is "a purely defensive measure aimed not at Russia but at true threats."

Bush urged Russian cooperation with U.S. efforts to build a weapons system that would help "safeguard free nations against a missile attack launched from a rogue regime," inviting Putin to send military personnel and scientists to learn about the system.

Bush is expected to meet with Putin Wednesday at the Group of Eight economic summit in Germany. He said he would urge his Russian counterpart to embrace the missile program.

"My message will be, Vladimir -- I call him Vladimir -- that you shouldn't fear a missile defense system," Bush said. "As a matter of fact, why don't you cooperate with us ... Please send your generals over to see how such a system would work. Send your scientists, let us have the ability to discuss this issue in an open forum."

"We'll be completely transparent," he added.