Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

RUSSIA'S SHIFTING NUCLEAR STRATEGY
AFPC Missile Defense Briefing ^ | 11/10/06 | Ilan Berman, ed.

Posted on 11/10/2006 8:25:44 PM PST by bruinbirdman

Amid growing concern in Moscow about the potential impact of a U.S. missile defense deployment in Europe, Russian strategists are retooling their country’s nuclear posture and warfighting strategy. "NATO is so close to the Russian borders nowadays that strategic bombers cannot hope to take off in case of a sudden attack (the order will take too long reaching them, and besides, they will have to be fuelled and outfitted first)," writes analyst Aleksei Vaschenko in the November 10th edition of Defense and Security. Likewise, although "[r]ailroad missile complexes posed a bona fide threat to the Americans," these systems have been largely dismantled over the past two decades thanks to the policies of Presidents Gorbachev and Yeltsin.

The result, Vaschenko concludes, is that Russia must rely on asymmetric weapons in the event of a confrontation with the United States – chief among them the use of "Super-EMI [electromagnetic impulse]." "Powerful electromagnetic impulse released by explosions affected electronic equipment, lines of communications, power networks, and radars" in previous nuclear detonations, and specialists "claim that explosion of such a device (10 megatons 300-400 kilometers above the surface) over Nebraska which is the geographic center of the United States will render all electronic gear all over the country inoperable for the period of time sufficient to prevent nuclear retaliation." Not surprisingly, writes Vaschenko, “[t]he Russian nuclear component includes Super-EMI" as a “response to American nuclear blackmail.”


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events; Russia
KEYWORDS: coldwar2; emi; emp; putin; russia; sovietunion

1 posted on 11/10/2006 8:25:46 PM PST by bruinbirdman
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: bruinbirdman

Does anyone have any idea how many Americans will starve to death if one EMP is exploded 125 miles above Nebraska? No cars will work, no machinery, no nuclear power plants, no radios or TV's or computers or trains, or planes...No fresh water or filtration... Just In Time will kill. Time to harden the chips.


2 posted on 11/10/2006 8:32:55 PM PST by GOPJ (The MSM is so busy kissing democrat butt they can't see straight - come up for air guys.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: bruinbirdman

Yep, sure 'nuf. America will be unable to do a thing after that bomb goes off above Nebraska. We don't have hardened sites or nothin'. We're finished. /sarcasm


3 posted on 11/10/2006 8:33:46 PM PST by Rightone
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: GOPJ
"A BUMPY ROAD FOR THE “BULAVA”

Not all is well in the Russian strategic arsenal, however. Nezavisimoye Voyennoye Obozrenie writes in its November 7th issue that a key component of the Russian strategic arsenal – the “Bulava” ship-launched ICBM – has experienced a string of test failures and mechanical mishaps that threaten to undermine the Russian military’s plans for the next-generation missile. “It was originally intended [for the military] to adopt it for operational service in 2005. Then 2007 began to be mentioned. Finally the Moscow Thermotechnical Institute's director and general designer, Yuriy Solomonov, declared that the Bulava ICBM will enter service with the Navy in 2008,” the military paper notes. “The Bulava project is no longer saving either money or time,” and continued failures with the program could render the new nuclear submarines the Kremlin plans to acquire “useless.”" -- American Foreign Policy Council

yitbos

4 posted on 11/10/2006 8:35:44 PM PST by bruinbirdman ("Those who control language control minds." -- Ayn Rand)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: bruinbirdman
experienced a string of test failures and mechanical mishaps P> What do you think is going on with the test failures?
5 posted on 11/10/2006 8:40:41 PM PST by GOPJ (The MSM is so busy kissing democrat butt they can't see straight - come up for air guys.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: bruinbirdman
experienced a string of test failures and mechanical mishaps

What do you think is going on with the test failures?

6 posted on 11/10/2006 8:40:54 PM PST by GOPJ (The MSM is so busy kissing democrat butt they can't see straight - come up for air guys.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: GOPJ

Not to mention that our conventional forces aren't hardened enough to deal with these weapons, and Russia's is.

Also, Russia has been deploying a road and rail mobile missle as of late. It is called the SS-27, NATO code Topol-M. Russia has a goal to build over 300 of these missles by 2008, each carrying up to 16 warheads, which can easily penetrate missile defense shields. Russia is also considering deploying IRBM's as well.


7 posted on 11/10/2006 8:42:52 PM PST by Thunder90
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: bruinbirdman

At the same time, Russia has said this in the past and yet had the capibilities. This is just to justify Russia spending more money to acquire more units of the missile.


8 posted on 11/10/2006 8:44:15 PM PST by Thunder90
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: bruinbirdman

And to those that think that Ivan died along with the USSR, think and look again. The country is being run with an Iron Fist by a KGB good-ole-boy....


9 posted on 11/10/2006 8:45:58 PM PST by EagleUSA
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: GOPJ
"What do you think is going on with the test failures? "

They're trying to make pigs fly?

I suspect they have as many problems with the subs as with the “Bulava” ship-launched ICBM.

yitbos

10 posted on 11/10/2006 8:50:32 PM PST by bruinbirdman ("Those who control language control minds." -- Ayn Rand)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Rightone
Read the e-book "Lights Out" for one man's take on a possible outcome of an EMP attack on our power grid. I don't have a link, but run a search for survivalist fiction and the title and you should get plenty of results. It's not our hardened governmental/military bunkers that we need to worry about. It's our own cars, transformers, water pumping stations, hospitals, food delivery infrastructure, etc.

Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!

11 posted on 11/10/2006 8:51:36 PM PST by wku man (Breathe...Relax...Aim...Squeeze...Smile!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: bruinbirdman

Why are they thinking in terms of fighting us? What's their motivation? Do they think the EU is going to invade them? Do they fear a massive onslaught from the mighty French? The mighty Germans? They're insane. Unless they're planning a strategic alliance with Al Qaeda, they don't need to be on a war footing against us at all.

I think there's some serious alcoholic poisoning in Russia these days.


12 posted on 11/10/2006 9:00:16 PM PST by samtheman
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: samtheman
"Why are they thinking in terms of fighting us? What's their motivation? Do they think the EU is going to invade them?"

Believe it or not, it is a jobs program.

yitbos

13 posted on 11/10/2006 9:03:48 PM PST by bruinbirdman ("Those who control language control minds." -- Ayn Rand)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: bruinbirdman

You're right. A jobs program.

Also a pride program.

They don't have much to be proud of. Their experiments in democracy and capitalism are pretty much failing.

So they can still dream of blasting American cities and relive the glories of yesteryear, when commies were commies and if you opened your mouth they sent you to the gulag.


14 posted on 11/10/2006 9:08:28 PM PST by samtheman
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: samtheman
"Also a pride program."

The bravado (standing up to the Great Satan) also helps them with the Mooslimes, with whom they are in cahoots.

yitbos

15 posted on 11/10/2006 9:19:31 PM PST by bruinbirdman ("Those who control language control minds." -- Ayn Rand)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: bruinbirdman

They left out the part about using third world countries to launch them.


16 posted on 11/10/2006 9:23:02 PM PST by Smokin' Joe (How often God must weep at humans' folly.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: bruinbirdman
Riiiight - we're gonna attack Russia? What are these guys - North Korea now?

"The US is going to attack us, so we have to build superweapons to take them out."

17 posted on 11/10/2006 9:23:34 PM PST by rjp2005 (Lord have mercy on us)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Thunder90
Time to put the MIRV busses back on our missiles and quit with the nonsense about converting our ICBMs to 'conventional' weapons.

Here we go again...

Duck! ...and cover! Duck! ...and cover!

18 posted on 11/10/2006 9:26:32 PM PST by Smokin' Joe (How often God must weep at humans' folly.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: samtheman
I think there's some serious alcoholic poisoning in Russia these days.

Someone soldered a leak in the still?

19 posted on 11/10/2006 9:28:18 PM PST by Smokin' Joe (How often God must weep at humans' folly.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: samtheman
Why are they thinking in terms of fighting us? What's their motivation? Do they think the EU is going to invade them? Do they fear a massive onslaught from the mighty French? The mighty Germans? They're insane. Unless they're planning a strategic alliance with Al Qaeda, they don't need to be on a war footing against us at all.
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

They are Iranian allies and are posturing for their benefit.
20 posted on 11/10/2006 9:34:39 PM PST by photodawg
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: samtheman
Why are they thinking in terms of fighting us? What's their motivation? Do they think the EU is going to invade them? Do they fear a massive onslaught from the mighty French? The mighty Germans? They're insane. Unless they're planning a strategic alliance with Al Qaeda, they don't need to be on a war footing against us at all.

I think there's some serious alcoholic poisoning in Russia these days.

Kosovo was only eight years ago when the entire West under the banner of NATO blasted a Slavic Orthodox country from the air in the name of human rights. There is no difference between Kosovo and Chechnya for all intents and purposes. If Russia did not have nuclear weapons they certainly would have been attacked for cracking down in Chechnya. It was all part of the Clinton doctrine of the time. You better believe they are concerned about possible invasion from the West, and nobody who is intellectually honest can blame them.

21 posted on 11/10/2006 9:47:11 PM PST by Timedrifter
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: bruinbirdman

And this "Super-EMI" threat would knock out our nuclear submarines and their nuclear missiles how?


22 posted on 11/10/2006 9:50:58 PM PST by KellyAdmirer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: samtheman; Thunder90
"...Why are they thinking in terms of fighting us? What's their motivation? Do they think the EU is going to invade them? Do they fear a massive onslaught from the mighty French? The mighty Germans? They're insane. Unless they're planning a strategic alliance with Al Qaeda, they don't need to be on a war footing against us at all..."

Think it over a bit, samtheman. The answer's in the question, and the Koran!

The Russians are getting ready for a fight alright, but it ain't with us. Their IRBM's are a tip-off.

They know, as we do, that the War-with-Islam is already underway. Like the USA, they've been attacked, and they're just checkin' their weapons................FRegards

23 posted on 11/10/2006 10:09:08 PM PST by gonzo (I'm not confused anymore. Now I'm sure we have to completely destroy Islam, and FAST!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: KellyAdmirer
"would knock out our nuclear submarines and their nuclear missiles how?"

That's what the Rooskies say.

I think 800 feet of water makes our SLBMs pretty safe. Especially if they are 10,000 miles from Nebraska.

Rooskie subs, on the other hand, aren't even waterproof.

yitbos

24 posted on 11/10/2006 10:25:33 PM PST by bruinbirdman ("Those who control language control minds." -- Ayn Rand)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 22 | View Replies]

To: Thunder90

>>>carrying up to 16 warheads, which can easily penetrate missile defense shields.

Unnecessary, when you consider we have deployed only a dozen or so missile interceptors. From memory I think the entire system will be about 100 units. Even allowing for 100 % reliability and accuracy, the Russians have more then 101 launchers.

Our missile shield isn't designed to counter a superpower. They know it.


25 posted on 11/10/2006 11:49:48 PM PST by tlb
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: bruinbirdman

Actually I would expect some whiz aeronautics engineers to start working on hypersonic cruise missiles.


26 posted on 11/11/2006 12:16:09 AM PST by Centurion2000 (If the Romans had nukes, Carthage would still be glowing.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: bruinbirdman

The Kursk was just another way for Russia to get US funding and money for it's military during that time.


27 posted on 11/11/2006 12:26:27 AM PST by Thunder90
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: samtheman

Putin does want to return to something like the USSR, with Kazakhstan, Belarus, and a bunch of the other "Stan" countries that made up the USSR. He also wants Ukraine.


28 posted on 11/11/2006 12:27:24 AM PST by Thunder90
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: gonzo

Does this also explain China's buildup??? I have yet to see the SCO move on the Islamic countries. (If that is the purpose of the Chinese-CIS pact)


29 posted on 11/11/2006 12:29:21 AM PST by Thunder90
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: bruinbirdman

Didn't President Reagan promise that when we perfected our missile-defense systems we would give them to the Russians as well? Whatever came of that pledge? Is it still in effect? Maybe our systems aren't perfected yet.


30 posted on 11/11/2006 12:40:11 AM PST by FreedomCalls (It's the "Statue of Liberty," not the "Statue of Security.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Thunder90
Russia is also considering deploying IRBM's as well.

IRBMs are prohibited to both Russia and the US under the INF Treaty.

31 posted on 11/11/2006 12:42:56 AM PST by FreedomCalls (It's the "Statue of Liberty," not the "Statue of Security.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: bruinbirdman

I suggest we load Hugo Chavez into a missile and explode him over Siberia; all that hot air and methane would change the climate of Russia causing Siberian bears to migrate to Moscow and eat the Russian leaders and other evil doers that threaten the American way of life.


32 posted on 11/11/2006 1:39:10 AM PST by Herakles (Diversity is code word for anti-white racism)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: gonzo
They know, as we do, that the War-with-Islam is already underway.
I wish it were true, but it's not. They sided with Iraq in previous wars and now they're siding with Iran. They have their own Islamic Problem in Chechnya, it's true, but their sites have always been set on the Big Fish: the USA.
33 posted on 11/11/2006 2:50:03 AM PST by samtheman
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: Timedrifter

You raise a good point. The Kosovo war was a monumental blunder.


34 posted on 11/11/2006 2:51:41 AM PST by samtheman
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: photodawg
They are Iranian allies and are posturing for their benefit.
True.
35 posted on 11/11/2006 3:03:25 AM PST by samtheman
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: samtheman

Its more than that.

Putin is a firm believer in the destiny of "Eurasia," with Russia the top dog.

Nuclear Weps are tools of hegemony in this case.
There is a book floating around about it that was even mentioned on FR. I'll see if I can find it for you.


36 posted on 11/11/2006 3:39:00 AM PST by bill1952 ("All that we do is done with an eye towards something else.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: bill1952

Thanks. I'm interested in reading it.


37 posted on 11/11/2006 3:40:48 AM PST by samtheman
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]

To: Rightone
Yep, sure 'nuf. America will be unable to do a thing after that bomb goes off above Nebraska. We don't have hardened sites or nothin'. We're finished. /sarcasm

No Boomers deep in the ocean either....
38 posted on 11/11/2006 3:45:46 AM PST by Kozak (Anti Shahada: " There is no God named Allah, and Muhammed is his False Prophet")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: samtheman
"The Eurasian Movement is fiercely opposed to the increasing power and influence of Americanisation, and therefore in defence of Tradition and Natural Order seeks to encourage an effective European-Asian bulwark against this imperialistic threat.

Our ideal is one of geopolitical solidarity against Western Civilisation.
Unlike those who support the neo-Capitalist or Faustian ethic of the West, we in the Eurasian Movement wish to hasten its decline and fall.
In order to achieve this, we must promote revolution both on the periphery and at the very core of Capitalist power.
In other words, we must aid those revolutionaries fighting on the Asian frontiers of exploitation, whilst simultaneously destroying Europe’s military and economic installations from within the heart of the Beast itself.

We stand shoulder to shoulder with all opponents of America and the New World Order, whether it be the National-Bolsheviks of Russia, Islamic freedom fighters or the committed National-Anarchists of England and Germany.
Ours is the struggle that will finally see the ancient links between Europe and Asia re-established.
A conspiracy waged by the Kamikaze militant and the Chaos Magician, the knightly Templar and the Sufi mystic, the Samurai warrior and the practitioner of the Left-Hand Path

Beginning to understand why mother Russia is making Iran a nuclear power?

Meanwhile, here are couple of links to Eurasianism here on FR link

link

link

39 posted on 11/11/2006 3:53:59 AM PST by bill1952 ("All that we do is done with an eye towards something else.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies]

To: samtheman
Why are they thinking in terms of fighting us? What's their motivation? Do they think the EU is going to invade them? Do they fear a massive onslaught from the mighty French? The mighty Germans? They're insane. Unless they're planning a strategic alliance with Al Qaeda, they don't need to be on a war footing against us at all.

I think there's some serious alcoholic poisoning in Russia these days.

This nuclear stuff is to strenghten Russia's position on the international stage and to restrain to some extent the USA from hostile political, economical and conventional military moves against Russia.

The only fact of nuclear strike capability means much. But nobody is going to actually strike America, moreover the preemptive strike strategy is favoured in the USA, not in Russia.

40 posted on 11/13/2006 12:22:28 AM PST by Freelance Warrior
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson