Posted on 07/12/2008 4:03:15 PM PDT by lizol
Europe faces Russian nuclear missile threat
Mark Franchetti in Moscow
Russia is thinking of aiming nuclear weapons at western Europe for the first time since the end of the cold war, according to defence sources in Moscow.
The move is being considered in response to American plans to develop a defence shield against missiles from Iran and other countries.
The plans under discussion include the possible deployment of ballistic missiles to Kaliningrad, a Russian enclave between the European Union countries of Lithuania and Poland. Kaliningrad has been nuclear-free since America and Russia agreed to scale back their nuclear arsenals at the end of the cold war.
A Russian parliamentary committee visited the enclave 10 days ago to examine how a new generation of nuclear missiles could be based there. Any such deployment would significantly escalate tensions in Europe between Moscow and Washington.
Condoleezza Rice, America’s secretary of state, signed an agreement in Prague last week to build a radar station in the Czech Republic. The station is an important part of the US missile shield. Washington says the shield will defend Europe and America against attacks from rogue states such as Iran and North Korea.
Another deal, for Poland to host a base for 10 interceptor rockets on its border with Russia, is expected to be concluded later this year.
Moscow is bitterly opposed to the shield, saying that it is part of an aggressive US military expansion into its own back yard.
“One of the main steps under consideration is a redeployment of nuclear missiles to Kaliningrad and Belarus,” said a source with close connections to the Russian defence ministry.
“These missiles would be pointed at Europe. It would be a perfectly legitimate step. If America wants to expand its military capabilities in Europe, then we have the right
(Excerpt) Read more at timesonline.co.uk ...
This is Russia’s biggest weapon right now.
Czechs See Oil Flow Fall and Suspect Russian Ire on Missile System
Saturday July 12, 04:37:47 GMT-0700 2008 · by Flavius · 10 replies · 277+ views
ny times ^ | 7/12/08 | By ANDREW E. KRAMER
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2044361/posts
i am about to put up a fence along my property line, my neighbor was under the impression that his property was further out, we had it surveyed and we agree on where the border is now, however I do not expect him to now start aiming guns at my house, it does not make sense and whatever news is coming out of Russia I think it is something else altogether.
It has to do with Iran and probably Georgia. Russia is wary of Europe anyway, having been invaded and portions burnt to the ground many times.
just empty words and a little sabre rattling. and even they would really do this (they will not) i wouldn´t change anything. russia can hit any place on this planet with their nuclear missiles. so can others. it makes no differnce if they are aimed at a country right now or not. it wouldn´t take that long to give them a targed.
This is utter propaganda...you know how long it takes to re-target an ICBM? 1 hour or less. So this is BS..
The Rooskis have oil and gas to sell. They’re a little slow on marketing, tho.
Yes, Europe is the big threat to Russia. Iran and China are nothing to worry about that.
Agreed. We should remove ALL military forces from Europe. The leftists running those nations and the leftists who elect them hate us anyway, so why stay there?
It is the old Mongol Marketing strategy. You do what we say and we allow you to pay us a tribute.
The Europeans should go ahead and surrender to the Russians. They at least do not feel a religious duty to destroy Western civilization. Maybe the Russians will protect Europe from the Great Jihad.
The U.S. should get out of Europe. Without us, they are fat, rich, and defenseless. Europeans are also fiercely anti-American. I, for one, would love to watch Europe collapse; it couldn’t happen to a nicer bunch of people.
The brass ring cannot be given up. How much we like it is quite beside the point. Go home and the world doesn't stay as it is. Evil madmen will simply grab it, in about one decade.
Good, rational points. I unfortunately must agree. I say “unfortunately” because I don’t like it, but not being a libdim, I realize my feelings are irrelevant to the real world situation.
I like your use of the words ‘Civil War’ in Europe. Indeed, if its possible for a continent to engage in civil war, then yeah, WWI and WWII fit the bill really well. Excellent analogy.
WW3? Well, that was a result of the actions of the Allied Powers at the end, allowing the Russians to get into Berlin first, the failure of all leaders (bar Churchill) to recognise the Iron Curtain. You can’t pin that just on us!
“The U.S. should get out of Europe. Without us, they are fat, rich, and defenseless. Europeans are also fiercely anti-American. I, for one, would love to watch Europe collapse; it couldn’t happen to a nicer bunch of people.”
Your blanket statement, condemning all Europeans, lacks any credibility. I for one, wouldn’t welcome any collapse of Europe, as I happen to live in it. As do my family, my friends etc.
I hardly think this was a worthy ost to leave here, exactly what does it add, except making perfectly clear you appear to be hoping that a continent, dozens of countries and hundreds of millions of people, cease to exist.
Pol Pot would be impressed.
I agree with you. There is little point in keeping large numbers in Germany. The personnel bolster the German economy, and thats about it. Maybe rotating a battlegroup to train in European conditions, working through NATO.
The UK is reducing its presence in Germany, numbering around 20,000 in peace time.
3 Civil Wars in a century for us Euro’s? Its not a nice thought, but consigned to history now I think.
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