Posted on 08/15/2008 6:40:42 AM PDT by docbnj
The land-based ABM system slated for Poland is a very limited system designed to protect Europe from a tiny ballistic missile attack. Russia could swamp it, or knock it out beforehand (and they know it).
Putin's childish behavior may just end-up forcing us to expand our ABM capabilities even further, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy of sorts. The guy has the strategic sensibilies of a brick.
Big difference. The missiles in Cuba were offensive. These are defensive, designed to shoot down ICBM's. They are pretty much useless when it comes to attacking enemy installations.
“Russian General Threatens Poland with Attack over US deal”
All I’m going to say about this is:
yawn...
Are you also one who thinks all killing is equally immoral, regardless of whether such killing is premeditated murder or self-defense?
Nope. If I were I wouldn’t even be trying to rationally think about the situation, I would immediately judge everyone as being in the wrong and go back to sleep.
I agree. As far as getting attacked here for having a contrary opinion goes, it’s all good. The folks who attack here typically try to rationalize their responses, which at least triggers thought and debate. I’m a firm believer in the idea that if an idea can’t stand up to rigorous debate then it needs to be tossed.
There is nothing remotely comparable about the two situations or weapons systems (although I don’t doubt that the Russkies will be eager to try to make it a propaganda point for weak minds). The missiles going into Cuba were OFFENSIVE nuclear-capable weapons capable of striking much of the US East Coast. The ABM system going into Poland is merely 10 DEFENSIVE non-nuclear weapons of no offensive potential.
They cannot pose the slightest threat to Russia no matter what hysterical Russian Generals may pretend. The proposed deployment could only harm offensive missiles launched at Europe, which means they would only be of use for countering an intended or accidental launch of one or a handful of ballistic missiles. That poses no threat whatsoever to Russia’s strategic deterrent of huge numbers of ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads.
It doesn’t change the MAD balance significantly unless we get to vastly more than 10 missiles...... maybe that’s what Russia wants to forestall, in part, but then they should say that and insist that there be a cap on the number of ABM missiles that can be deployed. Then it would be clear whether the system is for preventing against accidental launch and a “rogue” state such as Iran launching just a few BMs, or if the move is toward as comprehensive “shield” against huge numbers of BMs, which is where Russia could understandably be anxious about their deterrent forces.
Hes too busy gettin a sun tan in Hawaii...
Huh?
“The U.S. reaction to having missiles 90 miles off our coast is fairly analogous to the Russian reaction over this issue. Even though deep down I really want to find a way to criticise Russia over this, I’m having a hard time justifying a reason to myself.”
The Russian missiles in Cuba were offensive missiles. The ones we want to put in Poland are non-nuclear defensive missiles.
Everyone better wake the hell up... We need to be a strong nation again. Georgia is burning while the Us stands by and watches. The West is weak, and the Evil Commies know it. Us talking tough, with nothing to back it up. Score so far: Commies-1 Freedom-0
Our interceptors are defensive, meant to take out a missile—not a city. And these are quite a bit more than 90 miles away from Russia.
Leave it to Russia to be throwing threats around on the Feast of the Assumption.
This is why Poland pushed the agreement forward and signed it, and why the Russians are fuming.....LOL
Shades of 1939...
Toungue in cheek slap.
It's not the distance from Russia that is important to the defensive system, that is only coincidental. It's the angle and distance from Iran, and N. Korea. The interceptor destroys missiles in space during the time the thing is essentially coasting along and before it falls.
The Russians know this, but that is not the objection, it's our very presence in the area that irks them and with a defense pact with Poland, they are over the edge.
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