Would do you think about Russia being angry with the US?

Question

Bush wanting to put a missle "DEFENSE" system in Europe to protect them fron rouge missles. Isn't the US fighting in the mid-east against weapons supplied by Russia. It is said some of those are weapons that were left behind when Russia was in that 12 year war with Affgan forces in the 80's?

Answer 1

Personally, I could care less if Russia is mad at the US. Russia has been selling military supplies to the Iranians, Syrians, and any other country that will purchase them without regard to the stability of the country or to what purpose they might be put. The US has every right to defend itself in what ever manner it wishes, so tough $hit, Putin, you communist ba$tard.

Answer 2

I understand why they're angry. For the last thousand years, nearly every great threat to Russia has come from the west. They were invaded a number of times from Europe by would be world conquerors. After a while, they developed a certain paranoia about western intentions toward them. In the years after the cold war, we have rubbed their nose in it by bringing former Soviet Bloc nations into NATO and expanding US bases into Eastern Europe. To them this looks like another prelude to yet another invasion from the west. The missile shield is one more reinforcement of that paranoia even though it's intention is to ward off a potential missile attack from Iran.

There isn't a great solution here. We can smooth over the ruffled feathers by pulling back the missile shield but that leaves Eastern Europe exposed when the Iranians do develop nulcear weapons. However we have to find a way to convince the Russians that we really aren't interested in invading them. That may require a serious cutback in US involvement in NATO which the military-industrial complex would be against. We've had almost 2 decades since the collapse of the USSR and we have blown every economic/diplomatic opportunity in that time to make a strong US/Russian alliance. I don't agree with Putin's tactics, but I think I understand what drives him to them.

Answer 3

The strategic defense system being installed in Poland and the former Czech Republic are designed to protect the European Union and US / Nato military installations against potential Iranian, Syrian and Pakistani nuclear attacks.

Though it is unlikely that Russia would attack the EU, since the EU provides economic security for Russia vis-a-vis oil and natural gas sales, Russia believes that a defense system at its back door is a threat to its national security.

In essence, Russia's anger is directed to the fact that a defense "shield" along its Western borders, could be used to attack Moscow in the event Russia refuses to engage in retaliation against a middle eastern aggressor.

Russia's reluctance to retaliate might be because it has economic interests in the middle east as well as Western Europe. Hence, Russia might not actually come through in the event of a first strike.

Though this scenario is unlikely (that is if Moscow takes a neutral position), it is still important for NATO and the US to protect Western interests namely Western Europe against a first strike, wherever possible.

Much of Russia's reluctance to have a defense system like that stems from historical perspective. Napoleon invaded Russia and in the 20th century, Nazi Germany invaded Russia. In both instances Poland and Czechoslovakia have been the doormats to Russia.

So to recap this one, it would be the military equivalent of Russia setting up a missile defense system on the Canadian border with the US.

Answer 4

I believe that Vladimir Putin sees our missile defense system as a way to protect Western Europe and the US against missiles being launched from Russia, and he's probably right ! Bush Is right for wanting to be pro-active in preventing this from happening from Russia, China, N.Korea, or Iran !

Putin must realize, these are defensive missiles, and the only way they can effect Russia, is if it decides to initiate a preemptive strike!

Putin's argument is tantamount to not allowing a boxing opponent to wear his gloves or mouth piece..

Answer 5

No one in here understands the dynamics and limitations of the proposed facilities. Surprising that the Russians claim not to!

Saber rattling from an increasingly irrelevant country sensing their own failings.

Reminiscent of the mid 80's and Intermediate Nuclear Forces, do you think the Greens will support the Russian position now that they aren't funded by the KGB?

By the way I think you need to learn more on the issue as your q indicates that there is a ton of info you don't have. Especially about our offers to the Russians in this matter.

Ret. USAF SNCO

Answer 6

Read the latest article of Pat Buchanan, "Who lost Russia".
He explains it better.

Answer 7

Russians are naturally paranoid, and who can blame them. They have been invaded time and time again through the years. The Tar tars, The Chinese, The Japanese, The French, The Germans, ect,,,,,

Answer 8

Like any empire, it must be defended whatever the cost.

Answer 9

Screw Russia, we kicked their asses in the cold war, we could do it again if need be.