Obama's Missile Drama
Posted by Joe Rivett on 09.20.2009
Obama is trying to end the Cold War for the second time...
One of the foreign policy stances I never understood from the Bush Administration was its insistence on building a missile defense shield in Eastern Europe to allegedly stop a nuclear attack from Iran. Russia found it precarious that missiles were being placed near its border to stop an attack from another continent. Bush reminded the Russians that the Cold War is over and has been over, yet the Russians were not buying it.
Sometimes the United States government forgets to put itself in another's shoes. When the Russians placed nuclear missiles in Cuba for allegedly defensive purposes, the United States saw it as a threat and an act of aggression. One of the ways the crisis was solved was that the US agreed to take its Jupiter missiles out of Turkey. (The US was planning on doing this anyway.) Based on this experience one cold see how the Russians would be uncomfortable with missiles in Eastern Europe.
Let's be real, the missiles were put in Eastern Europe to contain Russia. Since Obama made changes to the Bush plan, Republican lawmakers are not as afraid of the impact on Iran but are more afraid the Russians will get aggressive against its former satellite states. But I thought the missiles were to stop Iran?
Now Obama is not scrapping the idea of missile defense. It appears he wants it to be more mobile, cost effective, and more suited to deal with Iran:
In one of the biggest national security reversals of his young presidency, Mr. Obama canceled former President George W. Bush's plans to station a radar facility in the Czech Republic and 10 ground-based interceptors in Poland. Instead, he plans to deploy smaller SM-3 interceptors by 2011, first aboard ships and later in Europe, possibly even in Poland or the Czech Republic.
Mr. Obama said that the new system "will provide stronger, smarter and swifter defenses of American forces and America's allies" to meet a changing threat from Iran. Administration officials cited what they called accumulating evidence that Iran had made more progress than anticipated in building short- and medium-range missiles that could threaten Israel and Europe than it had in developing the intercontinental missiles that the Bush system was more suited to counter.
This isn't some whacked out Jimmy Carter liberal give in to the Russians as Secretary of Defense Gates (A Bush Choice) has been working on this for three years. The missiles Bush wanted in Poland would have taken at least until 2018 to be operational. Iran is a problem already, so it makes sense to have an operational, quick and mobile missile defense response. Clearly the Republicans want to make Obama look like Jimmy Carter when he gave the Panama Canal to Panama. But the Republicans are living in the 1980s.
Obama's plan tackles the Iranian threat better and will be operational by 2011 while costing less whereas the Republicans want to reignite the Cold War and have no problem with military expenditures. Reagan is dead and so is the Soviet Union. The US should be an ally with Russia not an adversary in the GLOBAL war on terror.
Nice article but it underplays the sell out that we have done to Ukraine. By this time next year they will be back under the "Russian Sphere of influence" and America will sit by and do nothing having sold them out.
Militarily the Obama missile decision might have been correct but politically it showed all nations that might support the USA that we cant be trusted.
Posted By: Guest (Guest) on September 20, 2009 at 12:17 AM
The deal is Russia is a defacto dictatorship. We need to deal with them from a position of strength, the stronger threat is growing Russian influence. Though Iran is a short term threat, Russia is the long term threat to local democracy and American interests. If we continue our retreat of strength we will find ourselves traitor's to our allies and further down the path toward being a second tier power, which some Americans desire us to be.
Posted By: Peeps (Guest) on September 20, 2009 at 03:43 AM
You say republicans want to reignite a cold war. Come on Joe, do you really think the Russians are our friends? Putin is ex KGB, he's still the guy calling all the shots. He is far from being an ally to us. If anyone wants to restart the cold war it's Putin and we should do everything to keep him in check, Russia is just biding time and we're to weak to do anything about it
Posted By: Guest (Guest) on September 20, 2009 at 05:02 AM
The Ukraine has bent over and presented its tender ass to Putin a long time ago. There's nothing Obama can do to change that.
Posted By: Finn (Guest) on September 20, 2009 at 05:21 AM
Here we go again. We're now rattling our sabres against a new nation fanning the rhetorical fires in order to sell more arms. It worked during the original Cold War to spend countless billions of dollars ultimately for nothing. Yes, we basically bankrupted the Soviet Union (Russia), but tensions always (and continue) to exist between our nations. The promise of money is really the only tie that binds us.
Now Iran is the boogeyman. Our countless billions (not so countless anymore) will be spent to contain that nation. They haven't attacked us and never will.
"There is no way to peace. Peace is the way."
Posted By: Cold War (part two): shame... (Guest) on September 20, 2009 at 08:27 AM
Well spoken Rivett, by someone who has never served a day in the military ever.
Neither has Obama.
Perhaps all of this has something with Obama being the first ever US President to take the chair of the UN Security Council?
An act that is completely against the Constition of the United States (But what does that matter).
So again, we have Obama turning his back on long time allies to appease the people he is afraid to deal with.
This is the biggest mistake in history. The Russians will not back down, they will not give in.
Obama should have shown some backbone in dealing with Putin. Now you will see Iran, China and North Korea all try for their cuts too.
Good Bye Taiwan! Obama won't honor that treaty.
Good Bye Israel! No support for you
Good Bye Japan! The North Koreans will nuke them soon...
All of this because Obama want's to not stir the pot- ever- despite really wanting to be the President.
But he will take the chair of the UN Security Council- go fucking figure.
Rivett you are probably one of those people who think that FDR is a hero for "winning" WWII, but in reality he let it happen by not stopping it in the frist place.
It's amazing that the Presidents who lead us into World Wars are liberals, that has to mean something right?
Posted By: Grant Muioc (Guest) on September 20, 2009 at 11:57 AM
Grant,
Our military wasn't able to confront Hitler until the 1940s.
Taiwan, Eastern Europe, Israel and Japan are all alive and well and can deal with the threats in THEIR REGION. I still don't hear why its a good idea to build a huge missile system in Eastern Europe by 2018. If we want to put them there to scare Russia, at least say it and not make up an Iran boogyman which Israel will blow to smiterines if Iran ever tries anything the way Israel bombed Iraq in the 80s.
Also saying I never served in the military is a personal attack. Gates proposed the idea three years ago and neither of us are smarter than him.
Posted By: Joe Rivett (Registered) on September 20, 2009 at 01:21 PM
Ok, I don't like commentating in these political topics because of the unholy divisions and flaming you get on the internet.
But that FDR comment was just wrong, he was the pretty much the only guy who wanted America to get involved in the war, selling weapons to us Brits against the wishes of congress and the general public, it took the direct attack of Pearl Harbour for the majority of Americans and politicians to support the war effort, much like the Lucitania incident in WW1, until the end of WW2, America was very much an isolationist state.
Coming from a history major, as you'd say, the Republicans, without Pearl Harbour, would have left Hitler to his own devices since it didn't directly affect them.
Posted By: Robin (Guest) on September 20, 2009 at 01:31 PM
I don't see how Obama can shoulder all "the blame" for this. Gates has been working on this for longer than Obama's been in office. Obviously, Gates didn't feel the original plans were sufficient and was working on a way to either supplement them or fix them entirely.
Posted By: Guest#9863 (Guest) on September 20, 2009 at 02:02 PM
There is a disturbing trend in the Obama adminstration:
1> Bow down in humility before a muslim overlord
2> suck up to North Korea
3> Pander to a clear and present Russian
threat
4> walk away from Israel-a close ally for 50yrs
5> Walk away from the Ukraine and former Soviet satellite states (georgia)
Is this something left-wingers are proud of? I hope not..
Posted By: Mikel (Guest) on September 20, 2009 at 04:32 PM
There is a disturbing trend in the Obama adminstration:
1> Bow down in humility before a muslim overlord
2> suck up to North Korea
3> Pander to a clear and present Russian
threat
4> walk away from Israel-a close ally for 50yrs
5> Walk away from the Ukraine and former Soviet satellite states (georgia)
Is this something left-wingers are proud of? I hope not..
Posted By: Mikel (Guest) on September 20, 2009 at 04:32 PM
Sure we are proud of it, appeasment and placating threats always works. Besides Obama did it, so you know its right.
Quick now, follow Ashton Kucher...I pledge alliegance to Obama...........
Posted By: RivettDunn (Guest) on September 20, 2009 at 07:21 PM
A history teacher huh?
Well who was the president when WWII started? FDR- the biggest liberal ever.
Who was the the President when WWI started- Woodrow Wilson- the second biggest liberal ever.
FDR never jumped into WWII because he knew he would lose the election. Its not like he could brag about the economy.
And Rivett- JFK stared down the Russians. Why won't Obama?
The only real reason that I heard that makes any sense, is that the Russians are greenlighting the Isrealis bombing of Iran...
If that is the case- GREAT!
But come on, Rivett- you have to admit that playing nice with our enemies has gotten jack and shit for Obama.
Posted By: Grant Muioc (Guest) on September 20, 2009 at 07:45 PM
"But come on, Rivett- you have to admit that playing nice with our enemies has gotten jack and shit for Obama." - Posted By: Grant Muioc (Guest) on September 20, 2009 at 07:45 PM
I can agree with this. Of course, I would also question how often the President has "played nice". On the other hand, using diplomacy over guns got Americans freed in North Korea without bloodshed (that we know of). Not a bad start, in my opinion.
Posted By: J. Alexander Mitchell (Guest) on September 20, 2009 at 09:23 PM
Bush-sympathizers, republicans, or people who actually have a problem with this decision are the worst and least educated political minds out there.
Mikel proved that pretty handidly.
Posted By: Guest#5971 (Guest) on September 20, 2009 at 11:22 PM
"On the other hand, using diplomacy over guns got Americans freed in North Korea without bloodshed (that we know of). Not a bad start, in my opinion."
Anyone else roll their eyes and laugh at the utter blind naivete expressed with this statement?
Posted By: Mikel (Guest) on September 20, 2009 at 11:28 PM
I agree with the article. We as Americans need to understand that this is a totally different administration. Yes we as Americans need to gain the trust of other countries but every situation is not going to be the same.But yet in still we do need to stay on our toes when it comes to Russia.
Posted By: pmoore (Guest) on September 21, 2009 at 12:21 AM
Freed from North Korea?
We are STILL AT WAR with North Korea. There was never a peace treaty signed- they never offically ended the war!
Chirst on a pony, what does it take for you guys to understand that its okay to blow these assholes up everyonce in awhile.
Shit, A democrat had no problem dropping nukes on Japan- and that worked out well for everyone.
We have our enemies lining up against us and you want to form a fucking peace circle with them...
And nobody has addressed Obama becoming the chair of the UN security Council either- How come that's not raising any eyebrows, since it is illegal according to our Consitution and all.
Posted By: Grant Muioc (Guest) on September 21, 2009 at 01:21 AM
Russia? Really? I'll be scared of Russia when they can afford a missile to lob at us. Until then I'm about as scared of them as I am Palo Palo... although I don't trust those island dwellers. You never can headbutt one of those guys....
Posted By: The Weesel (Guest) on September 21, 2009 at 02:58 AM
The subject of "missle defense systems" has been sufficiently explored in such mediums as the 1984 Classic...Spies Like Us.
Every president needs his world issue, Bush chose war in the Middle East..THIS is Barack's. So far its about as funny as the movie was.
Posted By: CM Wolf (Guest) on September 21, 2009 at 05:58 AM
Joe,
Grant Muioc is just a grunt. He cannot see the big picture. He is a follower, not a leader. So, when the Republicans attack Obama, he has to follow their orders. He proves time and time again that he is nothing more than a tool.
NEWS FLASH GRANT MUIOC!
The Cold War is over! It isn't the 1980's, Russia isn't in a position to harm us, and sabre rattling is only going to make the world hate us even more. But, we know all know who are your true masters, and they have nothing to do with Yahweh.
Posted By: David (Guest) on September 21, 2009 at 07:49 AM
Guest#5971 (Guest) - you shouldn't spend all your time responding to blog sites. You have enough to do looking for the next fascist despot to suck up to (China is going to take all of your sucking power)
When your lips get dry there, move to Chavez in Venezuela, then Hamas, then the Taliban in Pakistan.
All of these groups hate America, so they must be a-ok in your books and your friends.
Posted By: Mikel (too lazy to log in) (Guest) on September 21, 2009 at 09:43 AM
Russia? Really? I'll be scared of Russia when they can afford a missile to lob at us. Until then I'm about as scared of them as I am Palo Palo... although I don't trust those island dwellers. You never can headbutt one of those guys....
Posted By: The Weesel (Guest) on September 21, 2009 at 02:58 AM
Best response of the thread. I have officially been inspired to create an islander wrestler in Smackdown Vs Raw 2010 and give him the "Palo Palo Drop" as a finisher.
BTW - I think that the thought that we are "at war" with N. Korea and still got our people out through diplomatic means would underscore the utility of trying different methods. Of course, the thought that we are still "at war" with N. Korea and we still haven't defeated them yet makes one really want to reconsider our position in Afghanistan...
Posted By: J. Alexander Mitchell (Guest) on September 21, 2009 at 10:01 AM
David,
I spent many years, my entire youth from college on as "just a grunt"- and that include briefing at the Pentagon.
The Cold War is over...but that does not mean that a new one is not starting.
Russia has subs off our eastern coastline, invaded Georgia, are supplying weapons to Iran, pushed our missile shield out of our allies own lands. They are a threat to Poland and other former block countries.
The Chinese are flying fucking airshows over Taiwan, harassing our ships in the Atlantic, tapping into out defense grid, hacking our electrical grid, protecting North Korea.
Don't underestimate the Russians or the Chi-Coms.
They have been building new equipment, better fighters, better tanks, better anti-air missiles...they are a threat to us.
Backing away from them is not the answer. It has never been the answer.
You stop another Cold War by not allowing them to become political equals- not by sharing the wealth. It sounds horrible, but this is the way the world works- deal with reality.
Posted By: Grant Muioc (Guest) on September 21, 2009 at 11:51 AM
You stop another Cold War by not allowing them to become political equals- not by sharing the wealth. It sounds horrible, but this is the way the world works- deal with reality.
Posted By: Grant Muioc (Guest) on September 21, 2009 at 11:51 AM
I'd like to officially request a full article about this. I would love to know how we can STOP China, not from becoming our political equals, but from becoming our political BETTERS. It appears, particularly from a financial viewpoint, that this is the direction that things are moving in...
Posted By: J. Alexander Mitchell (Guest) on September 21, 2009 at 01:25 PM
I'd like to officially request a full article about this. I would love to know how we can STOP China, not from becoming our political equals, but from becoming our political BETTERS. It appears, particularly from a financial viewpoint, that this is the direction that things are moving in...
Posted By: J. Alexander Mitchell (Guest) on September 21, 2009 at 01:25 PM
I would too - but have opposing viewpoints on it. The first, from a liberal, then, after saying: 'left-winger, you ignorant slut', have a right winger comment.
Posted By: Mikel (Guest) on September 21, 2009 at 04:39 PM
Well, J.A.M, both you and I are "writers" for the site- we can make a debate about it, if you like?
Posted By: Grant Muioc (Guest) on September 21, 2009 at 06:16 PM
Still trying to figure out how David calling ANYONE else a follower isn't the classic "pot, kettle, black" scenario, when I'm fairly certain he would follow Obama off a cliff.
Posted By: gwpbrian (Guest) on September 21, 2009 at 06:42 PM
Grant - I don't believe in bringing a knife to a gunfight, and mine isn't even a Swiss Army one. I may have to cede to JD or Zimmer.
Posted By: J. Alexander Mitchell (Guest) on September 21, 2009 at 09:38 PM
David has never been a leader- so he has no idea what it takes to follow.
It's easy be a leader, it's hard to be a good leader, the hardest thing to do is follow someone...
And in the military David, everyone is a follower at some point, including stupid grunts like me...but I promise you that if me, or anyone like me had to be a leader, we are well trained, motivated and capable.
You only thing you led was your office dorks you work with to Chilies for a going away luncheon...big balls on you. I hope you enjoyed your chicken tenders fatty- they are the gift of freedom that followers like myself have provided.
Posted By: Grant Muioc (Guest) on September 22, 2009 at 12:27 AM
STAY CURRENT