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Get this nexus...

Some other FR reader just posted a message about the Russians cutting a deal with the French for access to Kourou, French Guiana's ESA launch facilities.

Get it?

The Russians are building a heavy-launch capability from which they can launch near the equator. When you loft rockets from the equator, you can have more payload due to the orbital mechanics.

The Russians are becoming major cooperative partners in a strategic sense. Provided those Russian rockets lofted from French Guiana go to International Space Station with more supplies.

Also... in a more strategic play...

If the US has been floating Japanese defense costs, something needs to return the favor. If the Russians build oil capabilities in Siberia, the Japanese could build refining capabilities. This lowers the cost of fuel in Japan (the 2nd largest economy on Earth). Excess production can be exported to So. Korea, Taiwan, and Singapore... the exact reverse of the set-up of WW-2 (where Japan was cut off from oil production/refining by FDR).

If Russia gets to basically export oil to Manchuria/China/Korea either directly or thru refineries in Japan, the Russians can accelerate consumer electronics production, computer technology (which they've been sorely lacking), and pin the Chinese between themselves and the 3 Asian Capitalistic nations (So. Korean/Japan/Taiwan).

The lynch pin in this asian equation is North Korea... if Rice/Powell come up with the right strategy to revolutionize North Korea, it will could lead to the end of Communism in China (the last major hold out of totalitarian communism in the world).

The ultimate goal has to be to end Communism in China.... regardless of their stated goals, they are still communistic and do not defend free expression... Russia is now more free than China... and has it's missiles targetted at us.

Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and the US can cooperate on ballistic missile defense. However, the launch sites from Japan and the US are relatively far North. South Korea has no launch capability. Taiwan also lacks facilities.

Guess who has the capability to launch heavier payloads to orbit?

Russia.

Guess who has the best launch site?

France.

Guess who needs ballistic missile defense?

Japan/So.Korea/Taiwan/US

Guess who knows how to build an integrated ballistic missile defense?

USA

Here's my view of this nexus:
1. USA organizes international ballistic missile defense coalition with international early warning system
2. Russian rocket from French Guyana launches Russian component of international ballistic missile defense systems.
3. Japan/Korea/Taiwan buy participation in international early warning system.
4. Japan/Korea/Taiwan utilize ground based and air-based ballistic missile defense systems (US technology).
5. USA launches continental ballistic missile defense system under military control from Vandenberg AFB in California.
6. System is paid for by people consuming Russian oil, refined in Japan/Korea/Taiwan.