Posted on 07/21/2008 3:41:21 PM PDT by nuconvert
Russian military "considering stationing bombers on Cuba"
Jul 21, 2008
Moscow - The Russian military is considering deploying long- range bombers to Cuba to counter the perceived threat of the US missile defence shield planned to be based in the Czech Republic and Poland, according to Russian media reports Monday.
'At the moment, there are just thoughts - but that doesn't mean there isn't something concrete behind it,' an unidentified officer was quoted Monday as telling Izvestiya newspaper.
He said the aircraft under consideration were Tu-160 and Tu-95 MC bombers. Russia gave up in 2001 a base in Lourdes, Cuba, which had been set up during the Soviet era.
The former commander of this base, Lieutenant-General Mikhail Oparin, was quoted as welcoming the idea. 'Russia's air fleet must work towards a presence in every corner of the world,' he told Interfax news agency. The US, after all, had bases worldwide.
'An extended radius of action for our air force could be a response to the one-sided action of the USA in setting up a strategic system on Russia's borders,' he added.
The newspaper said that from a technical point of view there would be no problem basing Russian bombers on Cuba for a limited period. However, Moscow's view on doing this was unclear.
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, while he was still president, had threatened 'reprisal measures' if the US went ahead with basing its missile defence shield in Poland and the Czech Republic. He warned that Russia was able to target central Europe with its own missiles.
Russia views the planned deployment of ten US missiles in Poland and a radar facility the Czech Republic as a threat. However, the presence of Russian bombers on Cuba would provoke an international conflict, the Izvestiya report said.
Just 90 kilometres separated Cuba from the US coast, and the US had 'eyes and ears' on Cuba with its Guantanamo base.
In 1962 the Cuba crisis saw the US and Soviet Union in a dramatic face-off before Moscow abandoned plans to built missiles bases there.
Why should I care in what the Russians think..
Well, I think the theory is that the US defense systems weaken Russian deterrence because many land based ICBMs are vulnerable and would be destroyed in a US first strike. Those remaining could be intercepted to some degree by the US defense system on Russia’s border.
MAD is what sustained Russia in the ‘90s; Paranoia has long been the largest city in Russia.
But, I don’t like Russian Bears in the US underbelly much. I guess their subs are all over the place, though.
Well Kevin, it’s important because we want them on our side, not China’s. We want their cooperation and not their instigation.
I’m not sure we haven’t brought some of this on ourselves. Bush has not been a big summit fan, and I’m not convinced that hasn’t allowed some relationships to sour.
Are the problems we are experiencing with Russia today all our fault. I don’t think so. I still think there were more measures we could have taken to help keep Putin in the fold of western nations.
He seemed to be leaning that direction for a while. Now he seems to be leaning China and Cold War II.
I understand where you are coming from, but no matter how strong we are, it’s still better to keep an open mind when it comes to guys like Putin. You don’t give up the farm, but you do curry favor to the degree you can. And no, I’m not encouraging anything like Neville Chamberlain either.
"Why should I care in what the Russians think.."Why do you want to increase the likelyhood of nuclear war between Russian and US?
Paranoia wasn’t a one way street either.
You mean the same crap I heard when Reagan was President???
Sorry I don’t trust Russia.. Never have nor would I ever will..
I think that’s an important rule of thumb when it comes to Russia. I agree with you there.
Not a valid analogy. There is not a terrorist country with a nuke program in the western hemisphere.
The people who understand the purpose and value of strategic deterrent also understand that deterrence works only if both sides reasonably believe that any first strike by the other side will result in unacceptable losses.
Cold War never became “hot” for that very reason.
Also, by your approach you are giving legitimacy to the forces in Russia who want to remilitarize the society, who want to create a neo-fascist state and rally the people by conjuring up the specter of “Western agressors”.
I think its a very bad idea in the long run.
Even a cornered racoon will bite.
I think you’ve got a point, but then you can’t discount the fear factor completely. Russia has it’s own best interests to look out for.
Are we putting those missile defense systems throughout Europe?
I honestly don’t know. I haven’t heard much if any talk about them in other parts of Europe.
I would think Germany would be a prime place to put them, and perhaps France.
I would think Turkey would feel exposed, and parts of Russia as well as the former break away provinces. Russia and the lower provinces are problematic though. Russia won’t be given them, and the provinces are situated where we probably won’t give them to them either.
I also think Putin has been reckless with regard to Iran, since it is so close to the region. He rails on us for the defense system, then gives Iran nuclear technology and runs interference for them.
If he thinks that school attack a few years back was terrible, wait until Iran’s proxies send a nuke over in a truck.
truthguy wrote:
The Russians have to be among the strangest people on the planet.”
So you’ve met there women?
Russia is like a spoiled child shouting how about me,How about me.
Will Russia ever grow up?
The purpose for basing the missiles in eastern europe is the same reason we base them in Alaska. To have the defensive shield forward of the target, it gives the sensors and interceptors an earlier cue, hence more time to calculate the intended target and program and intercept. Did we put interceptors in North Dakota? No. Why do you think we didn't?
Thank Heaven, the ObambiMessiah will save the day!
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