Posted on 08/17/2008 10:04:57 AM PDT by homeguard
Uh huh.
Given the condition of their fleet it would seem like their only option would be to engage in brinksmanship. One wonders what they would do if we were to suddenly have the leadership to clearly take away their oil weapon and dramatically reduce the price that they can command for oil by 30 or 40 percent?
I think we’re seeing the first steps toward a new Cold War. Russia will lose.
Oh.....my.......god.....Russia will arm their nuke boats with nukes!
What will happen next?
Tune in next time as we hear Putin say, “Ever read the story, ‘Charge of the Light Brigade’?”
Right back to the formula that played so well among the peaceniks during the Cold War. “Those evil Americans are actually trying to DEFEND themselves and their allies against nuclear attacks!”
Doesn’t surprise me. They’ve always gone for overkill (pardon the pun - it was unintended.)
The Russians aren’t getting it, are they? Threats to add nuclear weapons to the Baltic fleet add greater urgency to moves already underway to deny them control of Sebastopol and Poti, which ports they could use to put nuclear weapons on the ships. It’s true, of course, that the Russians could put those nukes aboard ship at Novorossiysk, but restricting their options as much as possible becomes a lot more important when nukes are involved.
Seriously, what are the Russians thinking? They are making the case every day that the West must unite against them before their plans (now to include increased use of nuclear weapons) come to fruition.
Based on everything they’ve shown in the past two weeks...I’d rate them behind Brazil in terms of offensive capability and military professionalism. Their tactics go back to 1942 with the Nazi scheme of “slash and burn”. I’d even say that 3,000 US Marines with air defense and artillery could have held off their 15,000 man invasion force.
As for any threat of putting nukes on the Baltic fleet...I’d ask NATO to prepare a rescue force to help the poor commander whose ship is likely to sink with nukes onboard. This would put them into a more laughable position and actually be more productive than anything els we could do.
No fair, NATO, quit defending yourselves....whaaaaaa !!!
A distinct possibility if they get them out much. With nukes on board the Russians will not want them hanging out at a naval base. Which is about all many of the Russian vessels are capable of now.
Buoy duty.
They look at the construction of our Congress and believe that we, as a nation, don't have the political will to confront them.
Not if Obama or Hitlery are in the White House (God forbid!).


Another view of Murmansk.

Russian November-class nuclear attack submarine K-159 shortly before she sank under tow to a scrapyard.
We have not yet used our greatest weapon...Wall St. It is time to let the Rooskies know who holds all the cards in this poker game. It is time to get every American bank, mutual fund, insurance company, foundation and every other institution to start selling every Russian stock that we own. Choke the Rooskies in billions of overnight losses and convince the Europeans to do the same. Let the Rooskies know that if you want to be a bully, there is not a single place on earth outside of Russia to park your rubles!
Wonder if all this bluster from Russia has anything to do with the possibility of an attack on Iran?
“We have not yet used our greatest weapon...Wall St. It is time to let the Rooskies know who holds all the cards in this poker game. It is time to get every American bank, mutual fund, insurance company, foundation and every other institution to start selling every Russian stock that we own. Choke the Rooskies in billions of overnight losses and convince the Europeans to do the same. Let the Rooskies know that if you want to be a bully, there is not a single place on earth outside of Russia to park your rubles!”
I like it.
Any remote chance in hell we’ll do anything like this?
Question: How likely is it that Putin may be advising Medvedev to do this, only to later have Medvedev removed as a “belligerent head of state”, and the “diplomat” Putin can come in on the white horse...I dunno, maybe that is too conspiratorial, but it has crossed my mind.
Putin gets to seize full power again and enhance himself in the world’s eyes in the process.
“Construction of Congress”
Half of the U.S. Congress is on Russia’s side anyway, including the leadership in both chambers. So, no surprise the Russians think they can get away with it.
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