NATO build up encroaching Russian defenses. Photo source: The Risk Advisory Group.
Zero Hedge: US Approves $3.9 Billion Patriot Missile System For Romania; Putin: "We Will Be Forced To Respond"
On Tuesday the State Department approved the sale of $3.9 billion in patriot missile systems to NATO-member Romania after prior Russia warnings that such actions could be met with severe reprisals.
The announcement, issued through the Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency, is sure to be a huge shot across the bow following on the heels of Russian President Vladimir Putin's earlier unambiguous words (issued in May) regarding further NATO build-up in the large Balkan country:
If yesterday in those areas of Romania people simply did not know what it means to be in the cross-hairs, then today we will be forced to carry out certain measures to ensure our security. We won't take any action until we see rockets in areas that neighbor us. We've been repeating like a mantra that we will be forced to respond... Nobody wants to hear us. Nobody wants to conduct negotiations with us.
Read more ....
WNU Editor: Expect more close calls between Russian and NATO aircraft over the skies of Europe.
7 comments:
More aerial horseplay from Russia? That tactic is stupid. I'm sure it prompts shrugs and annoyance in the USAF, but not policy-changing angst. If they can meet the challenge with comparable tech, they haven't done it yet.
Look. ..I like making fun of Russia just like the next guy. ..but. .it's always tongue in cheek ... they are like our big brothers (and a bit more hairy and drunk than our brothers haha)..but still brothers ..wouldn't it be awesome if we could stop this nonsense? We are only doing these things because of Ukraine and the eastern European block rightfully feeling under attack and getting more missile defense etc. ..and in turn Putin (again rightfully so) feels like we (nato) broke our promise to not further expand to the east.
I'm honestly getting sick of this nonsense. Are Russians really, really our enemies? Like ISIS? Of course not. Were like a dysfunctional family in which we sometimes fight, but we'd never really want to hurt Russia and I can't believe Russian citizens would want to hurt us? But this hacking needs to stop. And whatever we do to piss of Russians needs to stop too. I don't think Russians would do all this if we wouldn't provoke them ourselves.
I know easier said than done,but I really hope this century will be the last in which we have these stupid fights and almost McCarthy era Russian paranoia.
As part of the negotiated end to Cold War 1, NATO was not supposed to be expanded to Russia's borders. As such, Romania should not get patriot missiles nor should they be a part of NATO.
With that said Patriot missiles are laughable to the Russians. Since tbey don't laugh at this point, they have negative utility for defense. Perhaps if Romania feels it needs such things, they should develop their own "Patriot missiles."
As for Ronald Raegen he never wanted to be sucked into Romina's power struggle with Russia. Did the agreement not to expand NATO to Russia's borders ever exist? Formally probably not.
It seems Russian and US leaders made a nistake in not formalizing the agreement. Given Ronald Raegen's heated rhetoric agInst Russia/the Soviet Union obviously he and his team needed to "save face." Hence details of the agreement couldn't be made public.
Since no American intersts is benefited by expanding NATO to Russia's
Borders, in fact the contrary, no one ever dreamed a formal agreement tnat involed a formal treaty would be neccessary.
Ronald Reagan needed to be allowed to be save space. "Mr. Gorbachev tear downn this wall." What a massive bluff!! Ne obviously knew Soviet/Russian leaders were backing him up AND we got to end Cold War 1. We should all be so grateful that Mikael Gorbachev was willing to be so cooperative.
I must say Russian patience against American ridiculousness has been most explempary and is most appreciged by this American. If you're reading, please have mercy. Eventually we will get this right!!
F
tip to posters:
With the poliferation of what may well be designed fake news from an enemy or potential enemy nation, those commenting would be advised to use real names rather than posting as "Anon" to convince us that Russia is our friend, ally, pal, companion. Since it is clear they were involved in our election, are involved in Ukraine, and supporting our enemy Assad, then there are few signs that they are Such Good Friends. It is smarter then to let us know who is saying what when commenting on a questionable topic
Fred,
Actually it is not clear that Russia interfered in our elections. No evidence has been presented to prove such a thing. So far what we have is DJT Jr agreeing to meet with a Russian national under the pretenses that she might have information that might have been beneficial to DJT that turned out to be of no value whatsoever or so we are told. Furthermore it appears the people involved may have over stated their importance to the Russian government in order to secure said meeting.
Is this a crime? Perhaps. Is this colossally bad judgement on the part of DJT jr? Probably. It is far from "clear" that Russia was involved in our election. In fact, quite the contrary.
Oh look, the Russians are involved in Ukraine!! What a surprise. Who sponsored the coup to overthrow the democratically elected government of Ukraine and replaced it with one hostile to Russia and a corrupt one at that? That would be America. At the very least, American officials provided aid and comfort to this malignant enemy. To say this is "bad optics" from a Russian perspective is likely an understatement.
In addition, endless color revolutions in the nations surrounding Russia in favor of those hostile to Russia, support of NGOs hostile to the Russian government, and sanctions unjustly imposed have pretty much poisoned relations. Sanctions are an act of war. When one declares war on another country and goes out of their way to do so with no basis, blowback should be expected.
"...supporting our enemy Assad..." The Syrian "rebels" are little different than ISIS/Al Qaeda. We should have been working with him or at the very least GETTING OUT OF THE WAY!! Who knows perhaps by cooperating with him we might have been able to convince him to separate from Iran "death to America."
We may never know. Instead we went out of our way to make an enemy of him as we did Russia and for NO GOOD REASON!!
Anon,
You are largely spot on. There's little I can add, however, you type that Ukraine and eastern Europe are under attack. They aren't. At least Russia is not attacking them. As for the promise not to expand NATO, it is not in writing, however, it probably existed and since there would have been no reason to expand NATO eastward that would benefit American interests and American rhetoric was overly heated in the run up to negotiations a little face saving was needed. Who knew American leaders would one day go bat sh!t crazy.
As for whether or not we would want to hurt Russian, most Americans would not want to do so, however, sanctions on Russia recklessly and needlessly imposed are likely making Russians and their leaders think we want to hurt them. Remember sanctions are an act of war.
As for the hacking, it likely did not happen. Frankly Russian patience in face of such naked aggression on the part of American leaders and its "allies" has been beyond exemplary and is likely NOT infinite. I agree the "McCarthy era" paranoia needs to stop. This is far worse.
The stupid fight that the American government went out of its way to provoke needs to stop. A good to start would be by returning the property to the Russian diplomats that was stolen from them in a temper tantrum by the child in a man's body former president of the US when he didn't like the result of the last election.
OK now we know you're a Russian or work for them ..bposter:"There's little I can add, however, you type that Ukraine and eastern Europe are under attack. They aren't. At least Russia is not attacking them."
What about Russian military in east Ukraine? What about Georgia a few years ago? Omg so pathetic attempt of you
Post a Comment