Russia warns against missile shield.

Mr. Bigglesworth · May 03, 2012, 06:46:27 PM

"A decision to use destructive force pre-emptively will be taken if the situation worsens," chief of the Russian defence staff Gen Nikolai Makarov said.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17937795

Pretty strong language.

TheCommandTent · May 03, 2012, 06:48:30 PM

It will be interesting to see how the US responds. Although I think we might be just headed for another pissing contest.

Jarhead0331 · May 03, 2012, 06:50:08 PM

Well, I guess the Russians rejected our President's plea to play nice until the election is over.

Gusington · May 03, 2012, 07:36:00 PM

Wow. That is particularly harsh.

LongBlade · May 03, 2012, 08:31:49 PM

Call their bluff. Russia isn't so foolish as to go into a set-piece battle with the US. They have seen the future and it is bleak.

You'd think they'd be bright enough to instead play nice.

Bison · May 03, 2012, 08:35:45 PM

Cold war part 2

LongBlade · May 03, 2012, 08:39:58 PM

Quote from: Bison on May 03, 2012, 08:35:45 PM
Cold war part 2

A lot of folks think the world was more stable.

Probably is, Russia isn't the USSR - they don't have nearly the pull they used to - they just wish they did. That won't make things more stable.

MIGMaster · May 03, 2012, 09:22:50 PM

I think they are trying hard to remain relevant and appear to be a credible military power - the last thing Putin wants is a Russian Spring

eyebiter · May 03, 2012, 11:37:10 PM

.

MIGMaster · May 04, 2012, 04:52:25 AM

Argentina also comes to mind !

OJsDad · May 04, 2012, 07:00:17 AM

The biggest stick that Russia has is energy shipments to Europe. If they decide to route more or all of it to China and India, that will cripple Europe a lot.

Mr. Bigglesworth · May 04, 2012, 12:58:15 PM

Quote from: MIGMaster on May 03, 2012, 09:22:50 PM
I think they are trying hard to remain relevant and appear to be a credible military power - the last thing Putin wants is a Russian Spring

Interesting. That may be it. If Russians feel threatened (because they pushed something) they will more likely keep the strong man. He is also getting old which means he does not have much to lose if he risks a limited war. He knows nobody can survive an occupation in winter if they do win. He sees the US on the ropes financially, unable to support a long war.

Pushing missile defence for the EU wins nothing. From their perspective it is the Cuban missile crisis.