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Madmen at the doorstep

Thu, 2008-08-14 16:41 — Konstantin

For the past few years, Russia has been expressing its vehement opposition to the installation of U.S. missile defense systems in Europe. Wikipedia notes that

Russia threatened to place short-range nuclear missiles on the Russia’s border with NATO if the United States refuses to abandon plans to deploy 10 interceptor missiles and a radar in Poland and the Czech Republic.[16][17] In April 2007, Putin warned of a new Cold War if the Americans deployed the shield in Central Europe.[18] Putin also said that Russia is prepared to abandon its obligations under a Nuclear Forces Treaty of 1987 with the United States.[19]

Something to note here: these are solely defensive systems. They only fire surface-to-air missiles, at other missiles. So the only conceivable grounds for Russia's opposition to their installation are along the lines of "We wish to reserve the right to launch an attack on Europe."

Today...

Today the U.S. signed a missile defense agreement with Poland. Russia's response?

Moscow has said the project would upset the military balance in Europe and warned it would have no choice but to point its own missiles at the installations.1 (emphasis mine)

"Those missile defenses," Putin seems to be telling Europe, "they're a really bad idea, totally unnecessary. But we'd like to make sure you'll need them."

Today's Washington Post has an excellent op-ed by Charles Krauthammer on How to Stop Putin. It was, however, written before today's latest show of megalomania from Russia's favorite dictator.

We can only wonder what will come next.

  1. 1. BBC News, "US and Poland sign defence deal". 14 Aug 2008.