Russia To Counter U.S./NATO Missile Shield

President Dmitry Medvedev says Russian armed forces must prepare to counter US missile defense plans. Reuters

Russian President Orders Military To Prepare Countermeasures Against US Missile Shield -- Washington Post/AP

MOSCOW — The Russian military must prepare to counter U.S. missile defense plans in Europe even as talks between Moscow and Washington are ongoing, President Dmitry Medvedev said Tuesday.

Medvedev told a meeting of Russia’s top military brass that the country “isn’t shutting the door to dialogue,” but nevertheless must get ready to take military countermeasures.

Read more ....

Update #1: Medvedev Vows to Counter European Missile Shield -- RIA Novosti
Update #2: Medvedev: ‘Re-equip military to counter missile defense by 2017-18’ -- RT

My Comment: I guess the much vaunted U.S.-Russian 'reset' is kaput.

A Missile Defense In Europe -- To Build Or Not To Build

A ground-based interceptor missile is launched from the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on December 5, 2008, minutes before intercepting and destroying a target missile in a successful test of U.S. missile defense capabilities. (Photo: Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance)

Iran’s Future Behavior A Factor in Missile Defense Plans, Clinton Says -- CNS News

(CNSNews.com) – The Obama administration has given its clearest indication of a willingness to shelve a proposed ballistic missile defense umbrella in eastern Europe, linking movement on the program with Iran’s future conduct.

“This is one of those issues that really will rest with the decisions made by the Iranian government,” Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told reporters Tuesday after a meeting with her Czech counterpart, Karel Schwarzenberg.

Read more ....

More News On A Missile Defense Shield In Europe

Obama committed to European missile defense -- JTA
Clinton Says US Could 'Reconsider' European Missile Defense Plan -- Payvand
Clinton says missile shield hinges in part on Iran -- U.S. Daily
U.S. Sec Of State Clinton Tells Czech Counterpart U.S. Is Willing To Reconsider Deploying Controversial Missile Shield If Iran Changes Behavior -- AHN
Russia says no retaliation unless U.S. builds shield -- Washington Post

Russia Warns of Military Response If U.S.-Czech Missile Defense Agreement Approved

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (L) and her Czech counterpart Karel Schwarzenberg sign the main treaty on the stationing of a U.S. radar base on Czech soil in Prague July 8, 2008. (Xinhua/Ceteka)

From FOX News:

MOSCOW — Russia will be forced to make a military response if the U.S.-Czech missile defense agreement is ratified, the Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.

The statement came hours after U.S. and Czech officials reached an initial agreement on deploying elements of a missile defense system in the Eastern European country.

Russia says the system would severely undermine European security balances by weakening Russia's missile capacity.

Read more ....

More News On Missile Defense In Europe

U.S.-Czech missile deal raises Russian ire -- CNN International
Russia threatens military response to US missile defence deal -- Times Online
Russia threatens to 'react' against U.S. missile shield -- Canada.com
U.S. and Czechs sign missile defense deal -- Reuters
Czech Republic, U.S. ink missile shield treaty despite opposition -- China View
1,000 Czechs rally in downtown Prague to protest missile defense deal -- International Herald Tribune
Video: Czech Republic and US sign radar base agreement -- RussiaToday


My Comment: Russia's refusal to assist the West in stopping Iran's nuclear program has led to this. Russia may have made some money selling nuclear technologies to Iran, but it forgot that it's real partners are with the west, and any arms race will cost far more than what they are making now.