I’d ignore the treaty too.
I think that they had already broken the treaty before we could even get around to confirming it.
In their eyes a treaty is little more than a way to slow us down. Typical commies.
Russia is at increasing military sales at any cost because oil is not enough to support them in the style they wish to have.
Gun control for yah. It builds up international law enforcement world war III predatorial bull sht and helps the thugs cheat
The author poses as a strategic analyst, well versed in military affairs.
Refueling probes on the TU-22m were removed under the original SALT treaties, and reaffirmed in the START treaty.
The TU-22M is not even mentioned in the INF treaty.
And while technically a violation, it’s really not that big of a deal. It poses only a minor threat to USA.
The backfire is a pretty good mid-sized bomber (50,000lb of ordnance/supersonic) but the refueling requirement to get here makes the proposition nearly laughable.
China and India, even southern Europe are more at risk.
And did I forget to say the author is a dimwit ignoramus?
Nobody refuels below 5,000 feet, usually higher.
So, without total control of the air, refueling above 5,000 feet with a big tanker and 2-3 other aircraft waiting their turn...and at 300-500 knots, it’s just a GIANT target awaiting destruction.
What may have been a “strategic” asset in 1984 is no longer.
That’s likely why the Trump admin is silent on the matter. We simply don’t care.