Putin's new toy

[floatingingalway]

Putin has claimed that Europe will be turned into a "tinder box" if the US continue to build up military clout there. He has announced a new missile that is capable of travelling huge distances and evading early warning systems. Where does Bush-licking Ireland come into this picture?

[fergalr]

Nowhere. We're comfy on our upholstered fence.

[DaraghM]

Damn straight. Nothing must compromise our sacred neutrality etc. and so forth.

Fact: The RS-24 missile just tested is essentially an evolution of current Russian ICBM technology to account for Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Systems in Europe.

Fact: These ABM systems do not work, yet Bush and the right-wing Polish government have decided to put them in anyway.

Fact: Both sides are pointlessly rattling sabres.

[NeilW]

Aren't the Russians claiming it will be effective against all future ABM systems as well? How does that work then? Will it also be effective against bomber jets flying overhead and blasting the launch sites to bits?

[MichaelR]

Bush is trying to restart the arms race. Putin has duly reacted. What's unexpected here?

[fergalr]

I think both sides need to check their history books. Bush probably needs to check in with the State Dept, who are probably having heart failure.

The next US President will kill this nonsense anyway. It's as viable as the "Star Wars" that pupped it.

Ahmad-Inejad will think twice before he f__ks with Putin. It's one thing spitting in the face of a lame duck American president. It's another thing trying to face down a godless Russian KGB agent who has possibly killed people with his bare hands, who sends commandos into theatres and who has just developed a multi-guided-warhead carrying ICBM.
On the other hand, they might be able to do a bit of business.

[HP]

Ahmad-Inejad will think twice before he f__ks with Putin. It's one thing spitting in the face of a lame duck American president. It's another thing trying to face down a godless Russian KGB agent who has possibly killed people with his bare hands, who sends commandos into theatres and who has just developed a multi-guided-warhead carrying ICBM.
On the other hand, they might be able to do a bit of business.

Why would the Iranians have a gripe with Russia...? Has Putin just sailed a couple of aircraft carriers (and support vessels) to just off his coast?

[Thac0man]

I am a little suprised by Putin's reaction. A missle defence shield should have no effect on Euro Russian relations.

Putins reaction seems to imply that a permanent state of threat (with Russia being the aggressor) exists between Europe and Russia, and that this is acceptable. It begs the question as to how Russia sees itself proceeding internationally, with Europe as an equal or does it have more ambitions? That fact that a non-aggressive counter balance incites sabre rattling by the Kremlin suggests that the Russian view of the world and us is alot more differant than we cared to imagine.

[DaraghM]

Aren't the Russians claiming it will be effective against all future ABM systems as well? How does that work then? Will it also be effective against bomber jets flying overhead and blasting the launch sites to bits?

Um yes, yes it will. Why? RADAR will detect the bomber jets, Russians will launch the missiles. Thats why there are things like early warning systems, and Nuclear submarines. If there wasn't, well one side would have pushed the button long ago.