So, big news today. Obama has announced that he's canceling the US plans to extend the antiballistic missile shield into Eastern Europe. The Russians have responded to this with exceptional enthusiasm, with Putin repeatedly praising Obama and the new policy. Presumably, this is a concession made with the intention of improving relations with Russia, especially to nudge Russia closer to backing US sanctions against Iran, which the Russians have been consistently resisting. Russian refusal to condemn Iran for their nuclear program has drawn fire from the US, and it would seem that the US is willing to take the first step, in hopes that the Russians will match this.
Article!
Also, the new NATO Secretary General made a speech recognizing Russia as a major partner in future strategic talks, and had proposed that NATO and Russia conduct a joint review of vulnerability and pool their resources to combat threats. All of this seems to revolve around an attempt to either disarm or at least protect against the Iranian threat, which the Russians still refuse to publically recognize.
Also, article.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Obama likes going both ways as often as possible; this cancellation also would save the U.S. a considerable sum of money. Which goal do you think was Obama's primary, and which the secondary, appeasing Russia or saving defense dollars for something more useful?
ReplyDelete