Posted on 09/17/2009 5:33:16 AM PDT by Schnucki
Vladimir Putin could be forgiven for having a celebratory shot of vodka with breakfast this morning at news that President Obama plans to abandon America’s missile defence shield in Eastern Europe.
His implacable opposition to the project has paid off, leaving the Kremlin emboldened in its drive to re-establish a strategic “sphere of privileged interests” over Russia’s former Soviet satellites.
By trading the loyalty of Poland and the Czech Republic to satisfy Russia’s security concerns, the United States is signalling that it no longer contests Moscow’s right to assert its interests in Eastern Europe.
Ukraine and Georgia’s chances of entering Nato over Russian objections have diminished further. The timing is disastrous for Ukraine in particular, given the Kremlin’s determination to reverse the pro-Western Orange Revolution and ensure victory for a pro-Russian candidate at presidential elections in January.
The Baltic States, already in Nato, will be feeling a chill as they ponder an even more assertive Russia. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have been among the Kremlin’s most vocal critics but Nato’s new Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has declared a “true strategic partnership” with Russia his top priority.
The Bush Administration delighted in emphasising relations with the “new Europe” of former Soviet bloc countries, often at the expense of recalcitrant “old Europe” of Germany and France on foreign policy.
Mr Obama has shown that the US is no longer playing that game. He wants Russian help on Afghanistan and Iran and is leaving Europe to resolve its own relationship with Moscow on everything from energy security to historical grievances.
The Kremlin can barely believe its good fortune. Mr Obama has pressed the “reset” button to improve relations without obtaining anything more than permission for US aircraft to cross Russian airspace on resupply operations for troops in Afghanistan.
That
(Excerpt) Read more at timesonline.co.uk ...
Venezuelan nukes.
He will get a stronger ally for Iran so they can protect themselves from that awful threat from Israel.
A communist ally in his drive to communist world domination.
Fool, knave, dimwit or traitor?
Peace in our time.
Spot on.
Barry will get a hardy handshake and a pat on the back, comrade.
Fixed.
This planet is becoming a very very dangerous place...
Watch out Georgia. Watch out Ukraine. Your days of true independence are numbered. The good news is that when you lose that independence the U.N. Security Council will pass a resolution condemning the Russian's actions against you. Oops, I forgot, the Russians would simply veto any such resolution wouldn't they?
Obama claims that makes him a "natural born American".
obama ....dumber than a bush....sells his country for 30 pieces of silver....
A kick in the a$$ and further demands.
Don’t we just love all this intelligent diplomacy!!
“Respect”
In a different world where everyone is reasonable, respect would be key, however, we live in a world where Putin and every other leader now views Obama as a patsy.
If Zero really thinks Russia is going to cooperate with the US on Iran by giving them Europe and ally itself with us instead of China and the BRICS, I have a bridge to sell Obama, cheap.
I believe he is a fool and a dimwit, as well as a lightweight and an increasingly clownish figure. We'll have five 'opportunities' to see him on TV Sunday morning. That is the action of a narcissist and a dimwit.
What could be more idiotic and masochistic than to oppose missile defense? This opposition cannot be understood unless one dispenses with its rhetoric and rationales and realizes that these folks at their emotional core do not want their country defended.
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