Quote Originally Posted by Nord Jim View Post
Putin is upset because an anti-missile shield unbalances the nuclear standoff. Nuclear security at this juncture rests on mutually-assured destruction -- you hurt us, and we'll hurt you just as bad, if not worse. If we can stop their missiles and they can't stop ours, this creates an imbalance that might motivate someone -- particularly them -- to strike unexpectedly and unilaterally. If they felt we were acting aggressively, they might conclude that they had no choice but to attack first, before we were prepared.

A scary scenario.

j
Jim,
as addressed in my post above, Russia claims the shield would not even defend against its own missiles. It WOULD defend against the newest Iranian Shahab-series of missiles, already capable of reaching most of the Middle East, probably Southern Europe, and in iterations not tested, much farther.
Interesting that even Russia believed Iran was planning an ICBM program, but now the two are allied, Putin is screaming in one breath that "the balance is damaged" between the U.S. and Russia, and in the other breath, that "Russia's missiles will get through any shield".
Why the seeming confusion? Russia apparently feels no real threat from a missile shield, but is posturing politically, to reduce the credibility of American interests in Europe, (if you let Americans in, Russian nuclear weapons will be pointed at you) and to improve the political power by default, of Russia.
Distrust of Americans seeded by Putin's political engine serves to distract Europe while Russia takes their entire fuel supply. 10 years from now when the EU is voting on how to deal with this or that-Putin will be able to remind them simply, that without fuel, their vehicles, tanks, airplanes...aren't going anywhere.
Interceptors don't concern Russia-it's the political clout they're more worried about.
Otherwise, Russia has had her own missile defense shield fielded (as have we) for decades. A difference between the Russian A-135 and the new US ones being suggested for Poland...is that the Russian interceptor missile is itself nuclear tipped. The US version is not. If one is to shoot down an incoming ICBM over his hometown, it's a fair bet which would be preferable.


John P.