Posted on 07/21/2008 3:41:21 PM PDT by nuconvert
Russian military "considering stationing bombers on Cuba"
Jul 21, 2008
Moscow - The Russian military is considering deploying long- range bombers to Cuba to counter the perceived threat of the US missile defence shield planned to be based in the Czech Republic and Poland, according to Russian media reports Monday.
'At the moment, there are just thoughts - but that doesn't mean there isn't something concrete behind it,' an unidentified officer was quoted Monday as telling Izvestiya newspaper.
He said the aircraft under consideration were Tu-160 and Tu-95 MC bombers. Russia gave up in 2001 a base in Lourdes, Cuba, which had been set up during the Soviet era.
The former commander of this base, Lieutenant-General Mikhail Oparin, was quoted as welcoming the idea. 'Russia's air fleet must work towards a presence in every corner of the world,' he told Interfax news agency. The US, after all, had bases worldwide.
'An extended radius of action for our air force could be a response to the one-sided action of the USA in setting up a strategic system on Russia's borders,' he added.
The newspaper said that from a technical point of view there would be no problem basing Russian bombers on Cuba for a limited period. However, Moscow's view on doing this was unclear.
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, while he was still president, had threatened 'reprisal measures' if the US went ahead with basing its missile defence shield in Poland and the Czech Republic. He warned that Russia was able to target central Europe with its own missiles.
Russia views the planned deployment of ten US missiles in Poland and a radar facility the Czech Republic as a threat. However, the presence of Russian bombers on Cuba would provoke an international conflict, the Izvestiya report said.
Just 90 kilometres separated Cuba from the US coast, and the US had 'eyes and ears' on Cuba with its Guantanamo base.
In 1962 the Cuba crisis saw the US and Soviet Union in a dramatic face-off before Moscow abandoned plans to built missiles bases there.
Planning for a B. Hussein O. presidency I’ll bet!
Here we go again. It will probably result in a fat aid package for Cuba.
Time to restart Chrome Dome?
http://www.airspacemag.com/military-aviation/16045217.html for a description.
Jack
Russia is in another Cold War with us there is no denying. Their blatant support of Islamic terrorists, which are killing out troops needs to be countered. In the long run we need to face down the neo-Stalinists in Moscow. Protecting us and our allies in Eastern and Central Europe from the bear’s claws, while at the same time limiting the Sovi... eh Russian capabilities is only reasonable. I say bring it on Putin!
Has Obama introduced a bill yet for Cuban runway money?
Because its not BS. They are defensive weapons; and yes can be used if Iran (Syria, insert another crazy ass country) launches ICBMs at Europe. Yes they can also be used for Russia and its not just aimed at Iran. However the real question is why is Russia so bent out of shape about 10 defensive missiles, if they are full of love and joy and no ill plans for europe or the U.S.
pong
Its their front yard.
Because its not BS. They are defensive weapons; and yes can be used if Iran (Syria, insert another crazy ass country) launches ICBMs at Europe. Yes they can also be used for Russia and its not just aimed at Iran. However the real question is why is Russia so bent out of shape about 10 defensive missiles, if they are full of love and joy and no ill plans for europe or the U.S.
Monroe/Truman/JFK/ ... doctrine again?
D'em missles in Turkey are long gone ...
BLINK anyone!
Ahh...not really. The Rooskie may believe Poland and the Baltics are its front yard. They are sovereign neighbors.
Might be a good thing for Russia to do. It seems half of America doesn’t quite believe the world is a dangerous place.
They think war is like a video game that you shut off when you get tired of playing.
They believe that being nice to your enemies will cause them to empathize, play nice and not each your lunch when you turn your back on them.
They believe submissive behavior on the part of the USA will bring peace.
Is Cuba our front yard, or our sovereign neighbor?
Kruschev found JFK wanting.
Putin appears to perceive Obama wanting as well.
Cuban Missle Crisis Redux?
Putin appears to perceive Obama wanting as well.
Nail on head.
This empty suit Marxist is going to get a lot of people killed, if he wins
Every tin hat dictator will want to take a shot at us to see what the Obama messiah is made of.
Exactamungo!!
Quickly.
Someone needs to ask Obambi what he thinks of this.
This will not happen while Bush is POTUS, Putin isn't an idiot.
Your template of thinking is all wrong, with Obama as CIC there is no direct and hostile language employed, only appeasement and capitulation
Obama is setting himself up for some very serious problems being the anti war CIC.
Just how many potshots do the wanna be dictators of the world have to take at America before Obama throws his netroots base under the bus?
My guess is the bodies will be piled high and deep before that happens
Ask yourself how we would view a Russian implemented anti missile defense sight on our Canadian border, over the Mexican border or in Cuba.
Our sights in eastern Europe render the Russian nukes worthless, and make it more vulnerable to a first strike.
I can see Russia’s point. And then there’s the issue of the substitution of some of the defensive weapons with offensive ones.
I think Russia has a valid reason to be nervous.
I also realize with Iran getting the nuke, these defensive missiles are going to be needed.
The point is, stop Iran dead in it’s tracks and back off a little on the Russian border plan. This may be a bargaining chip. Who knows.
Cheers!
Exactly. Also, if the Russian’s were such buds with us then completely withdraw support for Iranian plutonium production and we withdraw the missle shield. Why the hell are we still buying Russian intelligence? Our government ever hear of a double agent? Geez.
Liberals and communists have a constant love fest, no doubt.
Paranoia is in the genes.
“The Russians have always been paranoid and think we are meddling in their sphere of influence. I just do not see why we must continually stir the hornet’s nest unless we have a good reason, and this one seems shaky at best”
True about Russian being paranoid. Stirring up hornets nest? We gave Russia a lot of trust but komrad Putin decided he still loves the KGB and targeted killings along with jailing dissadents. Putin is shrewd but he is no Kasparov. He is what he always was.
These sights with other sights make a considerable impact. This is a wide ranging plan that will eventually included these sights, space based systems, aircraft, and defensive sights on our soil.
To the original point, I don’t think we would like it either.
Why should I care in what the Russians think..
Well, I think the theory is that the US defense systems weaken Russian deterrence because many land based ICBMs are vulnerable and would be destroyed in a US first strike. Those remaining could be intercepted to some degree by the US defense system on Russia’s border.
MAD is what sustained Russia in the ‘90s; Paranoia has long been the largest city in Russia.
But, I don’t like Russian Bears in the US underbelly much. I guess their subs are all over the place, though.
Well Kevin, it’s important because we want them on our side, not China’s. We want their cooperation and not their instigation.
I’m not sure we haven’t brought some of this on ourselves. Bush has not been a big summit fan, and I’m not convinced that hasn’t allowed some relationships to sour.
Are the problems we are experiencing with Russia today all our fault. I don’t think so. I still think there were more measures we could have taken to help keep Putin in the fold of western nations.
He seemed to be leaning that direction for a while. Now he seems to be leaning China and Cold War II.
I understand where you are coming from, but no matter how strong we are, it’s still better to keep an open mind when it comes to guys like Putin. You don’t give up the farm, but you do curry favor to the degree you can. And no, I’m not encouraging anything like Neville Chamberlain either.
"Why should I care in what the Russians think.."Why do you want to increase the likelyhood of nuclear war between Russian and US?
Paranoia wasn’t a one way street either.
You mean the same crap I heard when Reagan was President???
Sorry I don’t trust Russia.. Never have nor would I ever will..
I think that’s an important rule of thumb when it comes to Russia. I agree with you there.
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