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Analysis: Barack Obama's missile shield decision will be cheered in Russia
telegraph.co.uk ^ | Sept. 17, 2009 | Andrew Osborn

Posted on 09/17/2009 10:23:25 AM PDT by Free ThinkerNY

Tomorrow's Russian newspapers are therefore likely to be triumphalist in tone. "See, we were right to give the Americans a hard time on this" will be the line.

The climb-down undoubtedly does represent a significant strategic victory for the Kremlin. It also gives substance to Washington's so far woolly "reset" of relations with Russia, and will go a long way to soothe wounded Russian egos.

Moscow's biggest complaint about the Bush administration was that it did not take Russia or Russian strategic interests seriously. There is nothing Russians hate more than to think that their old Cold War adversary is not giving them the respect they believe they are due. This therefore will be held up as proof to ordinary Russians that Russia is once again a serious player on the world stage. It will become part of the "Russia rises from its knees" narrative so beloved of Kremlin spin doctors in the blink of an eye.

The Kremlin is not known for missing opportunities to pat itself on the back and this particular propaganda coup has been served up on a plate with all the trimmings. The crowing could be loud. The reflected glory will go to Vladimir Putin. The prime minister has been the missile shield's most vocal and high profile opponent, drawing on some of his famously fiery rhetoric to reject the US plan. This news will serve to bolster his already stellar popularity ratings, cementing his position as Russia's most powerful politician and heavyweight international statesman.

(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
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1 posted on 09/17/2009 10:23:25 AM PDT by Free ThinkerNY
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To: Free ThinkerNY

If I were in Europe, I would not be so much worried about a Russian missile strike as I would be one from a country run by the ROP.


2 posted on 09/17/2009 10:26:36 AM PDT by DonaldC (A nation cannot stand in the absence of religious principle.)
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To: DonaldC

Europe and the U.S. are about to be conquered.


3 posted on 09/17/2009 10:30:44 AM PDT by Overtaxed Patriot (History, in general, only informs us of what bad government is. - Thomas Jefferson)
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To: Nachum

Ping.


4 posted on 09/17/2009 10:32:42 AM PDT by Jet Jaguar (A mob of one.)
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To: Free ThinkerNY

Putin has some damning info on Bambi?


5 posted on 09/17/2009 10:37:23 AM PDT by Red_Devil 232 (VietVet - USMC All Ready On The Right? All Ready On The Left? All Ready On The Firing Line!)
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To: Free ThinkerNY
The big question now though is what if anything is Russia ready to do in return? ...Will the Russians be magnanimous in victory? Or will they, as the foreign minister Sergei Lavrov has said in the past, choose to frame the decision as an overdue correction of a Bush era mistake rather than as a real concession that requires reciprocity?

The answer is the latter. Why should they give anything in return when they already have everything they want?

Put another way, what can the Russians offer that will cost them nothing? For one thing, publicity of 0bama as a peace-keeper. For another - I'm perfectly serious about this - support for a Chicago Olympics. For a third, public support of sanctions on Iran that they will privately ignore.

0bama's spin has been that his "new" plan will provide better defense than the Bush plan. In fact, neither provides anything at the moment besides a demonstration of political determination. And the Russians won that one.

6 posted on 09/17/2009 10:39:18 AM PDT by Billthedrill
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To: Red_Devil 232
Putin has some damning info on Bambi?

Well I'll be, Putin has the real birth certificate.
7 posted on 09/17/2009 10:52:39 AM PDT by Overtaxed Patriot (History, in general, only informs us of what bad government is. - Thomas Jefferson)
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To: Free ThinkerNY

Obama is a traitor to this country and should be arrested on Felony Stupidity charges. His knowledge on foreign policy matters is, well...<ZERO.

He is putting American soldiers in very real danger, as well as our FReedom. This “let’s pretend I’m a real President” crap has got to stop before he leads us down the road to Communism/Marxism any further than he has already. It will take years to undo the damage this usurper has brought about in a few short months.

Get out of MY house!

Rant over.....for now.


8 posted on 09/17/2009 11:03:44 AM PDT by panaxanax
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To: Free ThinkerNY
Mosques and politburo headquarters around the globe are filled with ringing applause and unending praise for President Soetoro...


Frowning takes 68 muscles.
Smiling takes 6.
Pulling this trigger takes 2.
I'm lazy.

9 posted on 09/17/2009 11:11:49 AM PDT by The Comedian (Evil can only succeed if good men don't point at it and laugh.)
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To: Free ThinkerNY
Obambi is trying his hardest to give Eastern Europe back to Russia and recreate the old Soviet Union.

He can then surrender us to them and become our first, open, Communist President for life.

10 posted on 09/17/2009 11:24:53 AM PDT by OldMissileer (Atlas, Titan, Minuteman, PK. Winners of the Cold War)
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To: Free ThinkerNY

America elected an estrogen-filled teleprompter for president.

Pathetic.


11 posted on 09/17/2009 12:24:34 PM PDT by Levante
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