Russia targets US missile shield - Polidicks

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBf0I-rB0m0[/media] [B]PRESS CC FOR TRANSLATION[/B] [quote] Russia has threatened to deploy missiles to target the US missile shield in Europe if Washington fails to assuage Moscow's concerns about its plans. The harsh warning reflects deep cracks in US-Russian ties despite Barack Obama's efforts to "reset" relations with the Kremlin. President Dmitry Medvedev said on Wednesday that he still hopes for a deal with the US on missile defence, but he accused Washington and its Nato allies of ignoring Russia's worries. He said Russia will have to take military countermeasures if the US continues to build the shield without legal guarantees that it will not be aimed against Russia. The US has repeatedly assured Russia its proposed missile defence system would not be directed against Russia's nuclear forces, and it did that again on Wednesday. "I do think it's worth reiterating that the European missile defence system that we've been working very hard on with our allies and with Russia over the last few years is not aimed at Russia," said a Pentagon spokesman. "It is designed to help deter and defeat the ballistic missile threat to Europe and to our allies from Iran." The White House spokesman, Tommy Vietor, said the US will continue to seek Moscow's co-operation, but it must realise "that the missile defence systems planned for deployment in Europe do not and cannot threaten Russia's strategic deterrent". Medvedev said Moscow wants a binding agreement. "When we propose to put it on paper in the form of precise and clear legal obligations, we hear a strong refusal." Russia would station missiles in Kaliningrad, its westernmost region which has Nato neighbours on all sides, if the US continued its plans without offering firm and specific pledges. He did not say whether the missiles would carry conventional or nuclear warheads. The Nato secretary-general, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, said he was "very disappointed" with Russia's threat to deploy missiles near alliance nations. He said that "would be reminiscent of the past" and inconsistent with the strategic relations Nato and Russia seek. US missile defence has long tarnished ties between Moscow and Washington. The Obama administration has repeatedly said the shield is needed to fend off a potential threat from Iran, but Russia fears that it could erode the deterrent potential of its nuclear forces. Medvedev and other Russian leaders have made similar threats in the past, and the latest statement appears to be aimed at the domestic audience ahead of parliamentary elections on 4 December. [/quote] [url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/nov/24/russia-targets-us-missile-shield]SOURCE[/url]

because the first cold war worked out so well

Fair enough if the Guardian, and not Tyler_Durden says it :ohdear:

I bet in the end America and Russia reaches to some sort of an agreement and none of this would happen.

I understand why they don't like this plan I hope it goes over smoothly

[QUOTE=AtomicDongo;33419542]I bet in the end America and Russia reaches to some sort of an agreement and none of this will happen.[/QUOTE] Unless the Russians have gone absolutely fucking insane, you're absolutely right. Nothing will happen. This was rather unexpected.

[QUOTE=salty peanut v2;33419560]I understand why they don't like this plan I hope it goes over smoothly[/QUOTE] I also agree, I said in the last thread that the point he's making is that "We want your promises written down on paper so we can make a proper judgement in regards to Russia's national security and best interests, not just empty promises. If they're on paper, then we can hold you to your word [b]IF[/B] we accept. Why are you denying us this?"

[QUOTE=salty peanut v2;33419560]I understand why they don't like this plan I hope it goes over smoothly[/QUOTE] Russia is just being paranoid and thinks the goal of the missile shield is to cut them off.

[QUOTE=Mr. Someguy;33419578]Russia is just being paranoid and thinks the goal of the missile shield is to cut them off.[/QUOTE] Either that or they're just doing a bit of dickwaving.

[QUOTE=Mr. Someguy;33419578]Russia is just being paranoid and thinks the goal of the missile shield is to cut them off.[/QUOTE] It is, With this missile shield, the currently perfectly-balanced scale of MAD would tip too far in the US's favour.

Why doesn't Russia just build its own.

[QUOTE=Thom12255;33419625]Why doesn't Russia just build its own.[/QUOTE] You're saying that like they can AFFORD to build their own.

[QUOTE=Thom12255;33419625]Why doesn't Russia just build its own.[/QUOTE] Because thats what started the cold war.

In the video he doesn't seem so threatening at all, seems to to repeatedly emphasize on working on a compromise.

Well, better start creating underground resistance areas for when the Russian soldiers march all over the Baltics' anus and the US and NATO are too scared to prevent that. :( Then again nothing will happen so I can safely continue wasting my days sitting on my ass at the computer!

[QUOTE=Mr. Someguy;33419578]Russia is just being paranoid and thinks the goal of the missile shield is to cut them off.[/QUOTE] You sound really uninformed...the only reason they're paranoid is because their request at having the terms written down in legislation have been repeatedly denied. Wouldn't you be the least bit edgy over this plan of the US to literally police the world and place their missles on the Russian borders, it's like saying "Hey, we're cool and all, but if you ever do anything we don't like, you're fucked -oh, and you're not allowed to take any similar precations and instead are forced to comply with whatever we say." Russia repeats their emphasis time after time for a diplomatic negotiation, but they're getting shunned and cast aside. Honestly, it's almost as if you're a completely biased American...

[QUOTE=Mr. Someguy;33419578]Russia is just being paranoid and thinks the goal of the missile shield is to cut them off.[/QUOTE] It is to cut them off. It's very clear that NATO wants dominance over the region.

[QUOTE=Polyethylene;33419865]It is to cut them off. It's very clear that NATO wants dominance over the region.[/QUOTE] How can they when the CSTO and SCO already exist?

ITT: Internet Professors in International Relations

Saddest thing is that the shield could never significantly hold off a full scale attack. Maybe few warheads, yeah, but it Russia unleashed it's whole arsanal, the hundreads of missiles they can fire up very quickly, the destruction and kill count would be barely touched by the effect of the shield. The shield is pretty much relentless attempt of scaring the enemy, which can only lead to tensing up of the for so long perfectly balanced peace, existing thanks to MAD.

[QUOTE=Mr.T;33420230]ITT: Internet Professors in International Relations[/QUOTE] It is actually something I'm studying, but I don't think any of us claim to be experts.

The US would decline the same thing under those conditions.

[QUOTE=Mr.T;33420230]ITT: Internet Professors in International Relations[/QUOTE] I'm doing computing studies. This makes me an expert on international diplomacy.

It's the cold war again but this time neither country has any glory or money

The Kremlin has a youtube channel. That makes it 5 times better than the White House.

[QUOTE=Cypher_09;33419841] Honestly, it's almost as if you're a completely biased American...[/QUOTE] Come on now..

I side with Medvedev. Having a US official say they aren't going to target Russia, and then refuse to sign any binding contract that would mean legal implications if they did go against their word, is extremely slinky and is a definite cause for concern.

Why does the US have to be so god damn childish when it comes to negotiating with russia?

[QUOTE=Sobotnik;33420376]I'm doing computing studies. This makes me an expert on international diplomacy.[/QUOTE] i dont think "computing studies" is a thing

[QUOTE=Kopimi;33420459]i dont think "computing studies" is a thing[/QUOTE] It is in Scotland.