President Medvedev ordered missiles to be stationed up against Nato’s borders
yesterday to counter American plans to build a missile defence shield.
Speaking within hours of Barack Obama’s election, Mr Medvedev announced that
Russia would base Iskander missiles in its Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad –
the former German city – next to the border with Poland.
He did not say whether the short-range missiles would carry nuclear warheads.
Taking advantage of the world’s attention on the US elections, Mr Medvedev
also cancelled plans to withdraw three intercontinental ballistic missile
regiments from western Russia by 2010.
In his first state-of-the-nation address, Mr Medvedev said the missiles would
be deployed “to neutralise if necessary the antiballistic missile system in
Europe”. He added that Russia was also ready to deploy its Navy off
Kaliningrad and to install electronic jamming devices to interfere with the
US shield, which relies on a radar station in the Czech Republic and ten
interceptor missiles in Poland.
Nato’s eastern members greeted the Russian move with dismay.
A Czech Foreign Ministry spokesman described the Kremlin’s move as
unfortunate. Lithuania’s President Adamkus accused his Russian counterpart
of going back on his word.
But government ministers and parliamentary deputies assembled in the Kremlin
applauded Mr Medvedev.
The President failed to congratulate Mr Obama or even to mention him by name
during the 85-minute address televised live across Russia.
In a criticism directed at the US, Mr Medvedev said: “Mechanisms must be
created to block mistaken, egotistical and sometimes simply dangerous
decisions of certain members of the international community.” He accused the
West of seeking to encircle Russia and blamed the US for encouraging
Georgia’s “barbaric aggression” in the war over South Ossetia in August. He
also gave warning that Russia would “not back down in the Caucasus”.
“The August crisis only accelerated the arrival of the crucial moment of
truth. We proved, including to those who had been sponsoring the current
regime in Georgia, that we are strong enough to defend our citizens and that
we can indeed defend our national interests,” Mr Medvedev said.
“What we’ve had to deal with in the last few years – the
construction of a global missile defence system, the encirclement of Russia
by military blocs, unrestrained Nato enlargement and other gifts . . . The
impression is we are being tested to the limit.” The outgoing President Bush
insists that the missile shield is aimed at rogue states such as Iran, but
the plan has infuriated Moscow, which argues that it threatens Russia’s
security.
Mr Medvedev said that Russia had been forced to cancel its plans to withdraw
the intercontinental ballistic missiles, which have a range of 6,200 miles
(10,000 kilometres). He said: “We want to act together. But they,
unfortunately, don’t want to listen to us.”
Mr Medvedev blamed the US for the global financial crisis, saying that the
rest of the world had been “dragged down with it into recession”. He said
that the era of American dominance after the collapse of the Soviet Union
was over. “The world cannot be ruled from one capital. Those who do not want
to understand this will only create new problems for themselves and others,”
he said.
Mr Medvedev, who was elected in March, also set out proposals to extend the
presidential term from four years to six. He did not say whether the reform
would apply to his current term.
Room for manoeuvre
—Iskander SS26 (codenamed Stone by Nato) is an export variant of the more
powerful Iskander M
— Weighs 3.8 tonnes, carrying a payload of 480kg
—Range of 174 miles (280km). Can travel at 2,100m a second and hit within 20m
of target
—Easily transported by a truck or transport-erector-launcher (TEL)
—A TEL, below, can carry two ready-to-launch missiles and two more for
reloading. Equipped with advanced targeting technology
Sources: fas.org, defence-update.com
If only the world could be run by ordinary citizens who have no ill-will toward the other. I could have tea with a person from Russia, Syria, Iran, China, anywhere. This addiction to animosity simply must stop. The world has suffered quite enough from the arrogance of our "leaders"
Ion, Baicoi, Romania
Europe has earned the animosity Tim of Vienna. Europeans are NOT entitled to sympathy or ANY positive feeling of goodwill from the US at this point.
Glenn, Brookklyn, US
Our president clearly said, that Russia will not start first. If the missiles will be in europe, Russia will answer the same way. What's wrong with it? If someone near you is preparing weapon, what will you do? Will you do the same or just lay in the sun?
Elya, Usinsk, Russia
The following broadcast sums up everything quite nicely:
http://patrioticactivist.com/2008/03/29/the-decline-and-fall-of-the-united-states-empire/
Frank, Port Richey, USA
PEOPLE, do you really think the anti missile defense (in poland) was aimed against Iran?? hahahaha then wouldn't they put them, umm lets say Turkey, who is also a member of nato? All this missile defense intended to do was show power over the region and to irritate russia further.
Yuri, Toronto, Canada
obama lacks the experience both politically and militarily to even open his mouth in the same conversation as putin, unless he is asking him how he likes his tea [which i believe is white].
phil, fatville, usa
Nothing will change. The US will not pull out of IRAQ, because Rusia (which is parking in Syria) will pull right in and not even send a thank you note to Bush for sponsoring their "aquisition" of all that oil. So...no nothing will change. Obama will spend 4 years talking...that is it.
Ron, Denmark,
Obama is going to be the fall of America! He's telling everyone what they want to hear; making the working class feel important, just for a vote. He'll do nothing but destroy us. Europe and Russia have no reason to believe him because he's our new president, and i dont believe a word he says.
Cj,, Monroe,, USA
Just think about what is and what will happen around the world. Iran will get a nuclear bomb/missle within a few more years; North Korea will also aquire an atomic bomb; Russia's current military moves. Obama's appeasment style will do nothing but to give comfort and freedom to these actions.
Jeff, Sun City,
Europe had better wake up. Obama promised to dismantle the US defense system - therefore, you're on your own with Obama at the wheel. Just as Biden promised, you all had better "gird your loins" because the USA and their new Pacifist in Chief will not help Europe. Happy now?
Diane, Ann Arbor, USA
Few will accept Russia's position in the US, vice-like media-controlled society. To the US, Russia is big-bad-bullying-bear ready to strike an innocent child, called the West. Ignorance by association is what the Americans had been suffering with Bush administration. Now it's over!
Change is here!
Manu, Atlanta, USA
There are NO MISSILES deployed in Poland - they are ANTI-MISSILES. NATO is working to prevent its member states from nuclear annihilation whilst Russia is furious at the thought of not being able to annihilate us so they put ICBMs on our doorstep just to make sure. GET A GRIP PEOPLE!
Michael, London,
It's sad. In the dawn of hope, the Russian leaders walk about like old, once dominant gorillas pounding their chests and threatening; insisting upon the attention of a new peaceful community.
Story McQueen, Northern California, USA
Hey... don't stress!
US has elections > Russia makes a political statement > the ball is on the other side of the pacific... it's just a ping-pong game!
Haven't you guys figured out how politics work by now?! Don't let inflamatory comments by the press outweigh facts.
Simon, London,
By moving all their worst weapons to our borders with the stated intention of targeting us Russia are proving themselves to be the west's greatest enemy. The anti-missile shield was intended for the odd Iranian missile. Clearly we need to vastly ramp it up to protect ourselves from Russia instead.
Michael, London,
We all know that 10ea interceptor missles pose no threat to the Russian nuclear deterent. But to say that they're needed for rogue states (Iran) is curious in that the chances of Iran pulling off a successful delivery to the US mainland of a ICBM or other long range missle is far-fetched.Get um out
Lance, Sacramento, USA
Why doesn't Putin just make himself President for Life? It will be back to the good old days of the USSR, with ailing leaders that nobody is sure whether they are dead or alive
Richard, Bexhill, UK
This is just a message for Poland. The actual countermeasures for a missile defense system consist of a bunch of cheap boosters to be used as decoys during a real launch (for boost phase interceptors) and a bunch of cheap throwaway reentry vehicles for reentry (for terminal phase interceptors).
Sam Domenico, Golden, Colorado, United States
What is this!? Shouldn't he at least wait to see what President Obama does?
Andrew, St. Ives, Cambridgeshire,
We're grateful for the US coming to our rescue in WWII.
However, just because you guys were late for 2 world wars you shouldn't try to make up for that by trying to be really early for the next.
Hopefully the US will now seek to repair damaged relationships with its European allies.
Martin Luther, Wittenberg,
If someone put a missiles a few miles from my border I would be nervous too *cough* Cuban Missile Crisis *cough*. However, there has to be a better way for both the US and Russia to secure their allies and their interest without pulling our countries into another Cold War.
ChrisMoore, San Francisco,
Insanity is being unleashed once again in the world; first by Bush's missile defense system, now by Russia's counter measures. Is there no leader left who can pull the world back from the brink before it's too late?
Robert Berke, Oakland, USA
Start of another cold war ? Great way to start a new era
Alex Samad, Rhodes, Australia
Russian moves: very easy to understand. USA is impossible to understand. I'm from here and it is an absolutely baffling country. Domestically, internationally, nothing the USA does makes any sense to me. It all has to be explained. And the explanations are rarely convincing, or even plausible.
erik, NYC, USA
Far more interesting in his speech was his announcement that Russia intends to develop its own financial system.
Alan, Frankfurt, Germany
Such animosity towards Europe after a couple of days when the global perception of the US has shifted so positively. Truly a shame.
@ Tallahassee Ed
The olive branch will indeed be the most potent weapon. Rock on.
Tim M, Vienna,
Well, I always knew places like Poland would pay the price of an Obama victory. But this is quick service! Would Obama have won, if people had known? If Poles had had a vote? Probably, who cares about Poland...Estonia...Latvia...Who cared about Georgia? We are done for, and deserve to be.
Harvey, Berlin, Germany
Unfortunately, whilst we hope the election of Obama might herald a new more intelligent and sane world, a true beginning to a new century, Russia seems stuck in its past. There are rich Russians, but many remain poor and downtrodden. Aren't the oligarchs of today just the tsars of yesteryear?
Dick, Durham, UK
wake up please, USA creates a missile shield on Russian border, Russia feels threatened, Russia responds with their own missile shield. wheres your problem simple TIT for TAT game.
if you don't like the game then don't play. Take your missile shield home and make peace with Iran and North Korea.
Dexter, scunthorpe, UK
Europe should cut Washington loose and create a stand-alone defence force. Europe is rich , populous and technologically advanced enough to create a defence machine strong enough to stand up to Russia, and for that matter, the US. Say no to Russian and US imperialism and yes to a free Europe!
Keith G Darby, Cleckheaton, UK
A lot of people commenting don't seem to understand. We have a new president who during his campaign stated his intention of dismantling USA's missile defense system. He has also made comments indicating he will cut our defense by 25%. He won. It's over.
Mary, Oklahoma, USA
Basically this is Medvedev showing strength to the Russian people. Obama has expressed a plan to cut the funding for the missile shield already, but by moving his own missiles in Medvedev creates the illusion that it was Russia's show of strength that caused the withdrawal, raising his own profile.
Fredrik, Beijing,
Iskander is the best cruise missile to be able to bear nukes also. It is HS and very maneuverable. Starting from the position along the any lines it might fly over half European countries to arrive in Poland from Czechia. No antimissile system to stop it.
Alexey, Moscow,
What the Ruskkies are doing is reasonable considering how willing the US has been to attack on slight evidence, the willingness of Nato to absorb eastern european countries and the increasingly domineering EU.
I reckon war is avoided by keeping power in balance. The US shield upsets that balance.
Greg Lorriman, Leatherhead, UK
Basically he wants to negotiate with Obama: 'Dont build your missile shield on our doorstep, and we won't build one either' - the solution is simple: spend the allocated money on infrastructure in the US instead. Everyone (except Bush and his fellow warmongers) are then happy.
Farrukh, Woking,
And so it begins. It was clear that Russia would want to test america's will with a new president, but Obama hasn't even taken office yet!
John Bull, Wolverhampton,
The USA won't pull out their troops from the rest of the world, they have too much to lose (financially). The US is a blight on the rest of the world.
Mohi, Canary wharf, UK
Josh you are so right the US and London have borrowed themselves into a major crisis.
Now we have Obama coming in as our President, he is great at giving speeches, but that is about it. Now that he has "won" he is already going back on his promises. What is new for a politician right?
Lee TX
Lee, Texas, USA
Wake up people! You all need to read a book called 'Epicenter'. Everything that is happening with Obama being elected and the resurgence of Russia falls right in with what is ultimately going to happen and that is Israel being attacked by Russia. The USA will not be a factor.
Mark, Tucson, USA
Well now, Europe, you want Obama, you get Obama. It's time you fight your own battle.
Alex, Denver, USA
Russia will ultimately eat themselves away from within. This is just like what happened in the Cold War. They get all defensive and wall themselves up, and eventually they grow so skeptical of everyone (even there own countrymen) that they die from within.
Jon, Millerville, USA
It is easy to make the world safer: just let the NATO (cold war relict organization) to disappear from the face of Earth with all its idiotic plans for more rockets in Europe.
Gerge, Los Angeles, USA
Hi, you yanks always boast about your military prowess. remember you lost in Korea, you lost in Vietnam, you lost in Somalia, you lost in Iraq. oh, you stayed out of WWll until blown into the conflict by the Japanese
David, Shanghai,
Whatever our mistakes...WE WIN! Don't like it! I don't care! We are at WAR!
America has never been perfect but I think...Looking back at such things as the Civil War, that America works to make things right. Other countries just kill the people who disagree. Yeh! We killed some. Take Care!
Mark Hillyard, Murphys, USA
The U.S. putting missiles in Poland was a provocative move, and ill advised as we need Russia's help dealing with Iran. We also do not need to start a new arms race with Russia. Well, maybe certain sectors of our economy need a new arms race, namely the arms sector! What foolishness
Jon Fistler, Albany, MN, U.S.
The thing is that the US dominance of world military and politics provokes other nations (China/Russia/Iran/Korea/etc) to want to emulate and become stronger than them. I dont agree with American isolationism, but if the Americans did just step back a bit, maybe the world would be less provocactive.
adam, bournemouth, UK
Godless Russia and the secular Humanist Obama may team up at some point in the near future and America and parts of Europe will be the losers. The US could have had McCain who bleeds Red, White & Blue, instead we opted for unknown 'change' who's intentions are known to few.
Tom, Santa Fe, USA
The demise of the human civilization has been going on now for years. There have been numerous of plots and plans that have already been determined and are now being played out according to the plan of the government. Each president is player and each country are the pawns.
indigo, Washington, DC, USA
Maybe Obama won't be as trigger happy as the short tempered 72 year old McCain but I have faith that our country chose right w/a seemingly sharper leader that won't be in office to be tested for a few months still, and I don't see him sleeping on the job before that! Hope Bush can handle it til then
cindy, Lorain, Ohio, USA
US can build missile shield with Russia. Obama should take Russia to NATO and stop Cold War.
It is possible and will not harm anyone. Just think outside the box. Be a good guy.
Vlad, Sydney, Australia
Why didn't Medvedev call and congratulate Obama on his victory and ask to get together and talk about these missles? He would then be viewed as a great man and not a bully.
Rod, Pago Pago, American Samoa
the great barrack will pull back and make the russians feel better, then they will make a move in europe, what to do what do do BARRACK.
MIKE, laf, usa
Medvedev looks like the manager of a branch of Abbey National. Of course he's miffed at Obama's natural sense of style and leadership.
John Bilton, Reading, England
It is the the Russian State of the Nation address. Why does he need to mention US elections in the "Russian" State of the Nation address? SO WHAT.
Jim, Baltimore, USA
Russia's timing is once again very sneaky. First the intervention in Georgia during the opening ceremony of the Olympics, now this on the heels of an election the whole world was watching. Medvedev/Putin make me nervous. I'm always pretty sure they're up to something, but I can never tell what.
AR, Centereach, United States
I think we need to see what all nations of the world want now. hot issues. Recovery in global finance, global warming, legal trading..... every nation has to take this part. everyone has to aid his mind. every leader has to use his authorities wisely. let's make the world better...
kabayan, jakarta, indonesia
Well, here we are again, back in the good old Cold War days, just where the Neocons wanted us - and where they can make serious money from military spending. It's taken a lot of hard work to engineer this after Gorbachev's Zero Option offer, but skilful use of 9/11, War On Terror &c has got us there
Dean Hallett, Basingstoke, UK
Stalin annexed Kalingrad (aka Koenigsburg). It is not Russian soil and should be handed back to the Germans. As for the USA - Western Europe would have become a Soviet satelite in the immediate aftermarth of WWII without them.
Andrew Piercy, London, UK
It's interesting to see that the Russian's waited until the day after the US election to announce this move. Clearly they were hoping for an Obama victory and didn't want to do anything ahead of the election that might make the US snap out of its happy clappy mode and vote for reality, alias McCain.
Simon , London, UK
Russian foreign policy is like a bayonet thrust...If they strike and hit steel then pull back; if they strike and hit mush then keep going
Philip, Scranton, USA
Humans! The scourge of planet earth; a mistake of evolution. While we talk of missiles, killing each other, and war, all other life forms on this small and insignificant planet hope we kill each other off sooner than later so they can get on with this incredible experiment called "life".
Bob, Flagstaff, USA
obvioulsy a lot of democratic voters among these comments. Just like to point out that America has to borrow over 50 billion dollars a month to cover its trade deficits each MONTH!! & like most of the western world a vast portion of your country like mine is owned by Middle/Eastern soverign funds
Josh, London,
Russia is confrontational.
James McCullough, Manhattan, New York, United States of America
You need to look at the map and see where Kalinagrad is. When the USSR broke up, Russia refused to give up this port which is located between Poland and Lithuania -- hundreds of miles away from Russia proper. Kalinagrad is a threat to both the Baltic states and Poland.
Mike, Livonia, US
um just wanted to say I dont hate America or
Americans....I also dont think I hate Russians...not that I have met any....wouldnt it be nice if we could all try to get along without killing each other and see if we can find a different way>?btw didnt us brits go into iraq wiv you americans?
delia brooks, colchester, uk
i like how when Russia puts missiles on its own territory its aggressive, but when the US puts missiles in Poland its ok? I guess poland is the fifty first state?? or is that as long as you call it missile defense system it makes it ok? I can garantee that those missiles in poland can strike 1st.
Yuri, Toronto, Canada
American greatness comes from our freedoms, and from an economic system that rewards effort, hard work and ingenuity. The current state of the American attitude is that of equality, we've always stressed equal opportunity, not a socialistic type of equality. Equality = Lowest Common Denominator
Bob, Highland, Michigan, USA
Don't worry. The Chinese will help up out. They NEED us to pay off all those worthless mortgages they own.
Wade, Harrisburg, PA, USA
We in America have always known about the European tendicy to throw the smaller and weaker nations to the wolves. Whether it is Ethiopia to the Italians or Hungary to the Russians, we can always count on the French and Germans and English to purchase security at the cost of Estonia.
We don't.
lee, Alexandria, usa
Americans do not think they are superior, we just do not let anyone else gain superiority over us. Americans do not fold under pressure, we stand up for our rights. We will even stand up for YOUR rights when you can't!
Chris, Atanta, USA
Go figure. No worries though US wont do anything now so Europe you can rejoice. Hope you enjoy our new President that we elected for you. By the way you might wanna create a military now because Obama has no backbone and will not come to your aid against Russia you are now on your own.
Jeremy, Dallas, USA
The testing begins! Let 's see if Obama blows it right off the bat. We will see if he has the guts to stand up to the leaders of the world.
Larry, Cincinnati, USA
Good luck. You're on your own.
Ronald, henderson,
So many comments here calling for a US withdrawal from the other countries, building the wall around and living a happy life.
USA is like a spider that sucks money from the other world. Each dollar used on international market brings US a profit. USA CAN NOT LIVE WITHOUT EUROPE AND THE OTHER WORLD.
Anatoly, Saint-Pétersbourg, Russia
Sad to see this apparent shift in US opinion on the back of the Obama win.
I hate to break the news to you isolationists - but you NEED the outside world's resources. Just like us.
Come on guys, stop acting like abandoned puppies, remember who your friends are.... and wake up!
P Williams, London,
No matter how much the West hates Russia, it cannot exist without Russian participation in world major affairs. The West had easily forgotten that Russia had lost more than 26 million of her soldiers and people in the WWII in fighting against the Hitler and his allies. West knows only to hate.
Marco, San Francisco, USA
Tyler in Springfield - why shouldn't the USA cooperate with Russia for a change? Why does everyone else have to dance to the American tune all the time? Admit it: you think you are superior to the rest of us.
Tom Welsh, Basingstoke,
Why should anyone be surprised? I wonder how you Europeans will feel when Russia takes more and the president you wanted turns out to be another Jimmy Carter by doing nothing. You want America to protect you, but you also wanted a guy that will cut our defense by 25% or more. Good luck!!!
Joe, Greensboro,
There is nothing wrong with Russia. For centuries, rulers of that country craved to control the world. Their prayers were answered by elections results in US. Why wait another day. Welcome to the new world order. America as we knew it is no longer.
Waclaw Borcz, Portage,
the problem with having both a youngster and a dem as president is they can be a bit trigger happy to "prove" they are as war-capable as republicans. Clinton was that way. The good side is that he can suck in all the world approval as a "progressive" and a dem and get away with acting like a repub.
mar, orange, usa
Europe and the rest of the US hating world.
You guys will find out what it is like with an isolationist USA. Russias threatening Europe? Do it yourself. Terrorists go on the offensive? FEND FOR YOURSELVES. The USA hating european population needs a good dose of USA ISOLATIONISM.
Dan, Sacramento,CA, USA
Russia hoped the economy, Iraq and any other reason people hate America, would turn the world against us. Obama has ruined that. Now they will push him and see what he is made of. We just elected the most unproven, untested, unknown president in history
The USSR is gone but the Soviets remain
Tyler, Springfield, USA
If Medvedev is sincer about improving relations with the US, he might start by cooperating. Every position he adopts is designed to antagonize the US.
Chris, South Burlington, USA
I did not vote for Obama, I do not agree with his past votes. Now he is my president. The people have spoken and he is what the majority want. I respect the office, so I will show respect to the man. I pray that his actions match his rhetoric, and I am proud to have him as President.
Barry, Kenai, United States
Joe Biden was wrong - the Obama presidency won't be tested within its first six months - he is being tested within 24 hours after the election.
Too bad we can't go back 100 years and stay out of European affairs like you Brits want - fight your own wars alone. Maybe we can start doing this now
S Miller, Palm City, FL, USA
To those advocating isolationism in America - remember Pearl Harbo(u)r.
Ben, York,
Hey Owen (London, UK)
Just like Ronald Reagan's "Star Wars" caused a little tension? Tell the people of East Gemany how that was unnecssary also.
Howard, Fountain Valley,
In the same speech where he clearly feels an possibility that the US might back off its plans, Medvedev announces a Russian escalation. However, even in the face of this, clearly many are going to stick to blaming Russian behavior on US "provocation".
Dave, Menlo Park, CA, USA
Amy in Newcastle,
I also hate war. So, taking into consideration your disgust with the US "intervening in every conceivable conflict" I propose that we never assist any nation again when they are being destroyed by a superior power. Even if they ask for help, we shall say "NO!" That'll show us!
jd, Jacksonville, FL, USA
A man like Senator Obama wouldn't stand a snowball's chance in hell of being elected to much of any office in Russia or any country in Europe or Asia. America, when it comes to human achievement and opportunity, jumped light years ahead of the rest of the world. Medvedev who?
Robert, Amarillo,Tx, USA
Obama should pull every US interest out of the rest of the world. Let them fend for themselves. Our efforts have not been appreciated. Europe has forgotten why German isn't the spoken language in the region.
Brett, Good Ol', USA
Yeah, I want us to return all missles and defensive weapons back to our homeland. Build a wall to the north and south and let the rest of the world start/fight/resolve their own issues on their own dime. Leave us out of your strife and fight for your own freedoms like we so blindly do for you.
Michael, Iowa, USA
The US does not just place missle shields in countries if they do not want them there. Get it?
Let me spell it out. The countries asked or agreed to having them on their soil. Maybe they know something we don't and feel threatened. Use your brain. Russia never fully pulled out of Georgia. Duh....
john, Florida, USA
The reason Western Europe has become such an enclave of socialism is that they can afford to dole out money to their people while the United States of America pays for their military protection. In return we Americans are called "unsophisticated" and "ignorant".
That all ends soon. Good luck!
Christopher, Philadelphia, USA
I can understand the loss of pride felt by the Russian people and the Kremlin after the loss of their superpower status, and the humiliation of the Yeltsin era. But is reigniting the cold war the real answer to this?
Richard Holland, Manchester, United Kingdom
I say we pull out. Let the rest of the world deal with Iran, Russia, China and whoever else on their own. No more help from this country when crazy leaders come in and think they can do what they want. Everyone hates this country until they need us and I am sick of it.
Ben, alamo, U.S.A
How many wars has Euope started since WWII? Let's see, Vietnam (France), Algeria (France), Angola and Mozambique (Portugal) Falklands (Britian), Kosovo (Serbia). Is that enough, learn your history.
Tom Chenoweth, Bonaire, United States
Ohio Mike - Couldn't have said it any better.
Ryan , New York City, USA
Russia has been prepping for a series of aggressive moves for some time now. Until some of you people realize that Russia will now do whatever is necessary to re-take it's lost satellites and re-assert it's influence beyond them, you'll continue to be shocked and confused by it's geopolitical moves.
William, Mesa, USA
Martin, I understand your angst. However, it was American interventionism that brought unparalleled peace and prosperity to post WW II Europe (both during the Cold War and the Balkans). It is easy to dismiss this, especially if you are a young man.
Robbie, Dundee,
Amy in Newcastle, how was the US meant to keep out of its civil war? Thats the point in it being called a civil war, its between civilians of the same nation on their own soil. Russia are always pushing as they still feel they are a superpower, they have itchy trigger fingers, heard of the Cold War?
Peter, Dover, England
Martin, Franco-Syrian War, The First Indochina War, The Madagascar Revolt, Tunisian War of Independence, Moroccan War of Independence, Franco-Tunisian Border Conflict, The Algerian War of Independence, Suez War, Second Franco-Tunisian War, Gabon Intervention, First Katangan War, Second Katangan War
Joey, Andelu, France
Having had bitter wars thrust upon them by both Napolean and Hitler, Russia is deeply suspicious of Western motivations. To show good will and create detente, Obama must scrap the missile shield. Just look at the geography, how would the shield protect the West from Iran?
Dwight Vandryver, Scholar Green, UK
Lets pull it all back...funding for poor eastern European countries, missiles, troops, and then let's pull out of NATO!! We Can take care of ourselves.
If we did that when Regan came to office comrades we'd have had a jolly good time then!!
Steve, Colorado Springs, USA
The Russians are desperate - this is an act of desperation!
Reality: the United States will not ever take a back seat to global politics!
Just because we elect this charlatan on the coat-tails of Bush's failures doesn't mean we undo 65 years of post WW2 democratic gains in the world!
PC, Los Angeles, CA, United States
As far as I'm concerned (and I'm sure many Americans agree), let's just biosphere (protective shields up , of course) the continental US and live our lives in peace and prosperity and all the rest of you can have the rest of the planet. And you'll come crying and whining just like before
MARIANNE, VIRGINIA, USA
To Amy in Newcastle,
I appreciate your gratitude for America coming to the aid of England in WWII. Hopefully you'll get a chance to go the next war alone, without intervention by the evil U.S.A.
You're welcome.
Mike Glaser, Cincinnati, OH, U.S.A.
Martin, continued Central African Republic Intervention, Intervention in Lebanese Civil War, New Caledonian Uprising, Second Gabon Intervention, Central African Republic Intervention, Ivory Coast (Cote de Ivorie) Intervention, Northern Ireland Conflict, the Falklands War, the Falklands War
Joey, Andelu, France
Martin, continued the Kenyan intervention, the Cyprus Intervention. That is just Britian and France. Yeah you guys are really peace loving.
Joey, Andelu, France
The world needs to get ready for a passive America who won't come to defend freedom. This is Obama's promise of "change" - we are going to "butt out" of world affairs and let other countries deal with things on their own without our help.
Nathan, Philadelphia, USA
1. American missile sites + Russian rockets aimed at them.
2. No American missile sites, no Russian rockets aimed.
Choose, Europe!
kedr, Ufa, Russia
The missile defense shield was not created because of a threat from Russia, but rogue states. There's been a lot said about how bad Bush was, most of which was misplaced criticism, but I doubt Medvedev would have tried this on his watch. Welcom to a weaker US.
Jim Jones, Chicago, US
Not to worry, Obama has already indicated he will do away with the US missile defense system. Hope no one needs any defense from any missiles, because you won't be getting it from the US.
Mary, Oklahoma, USA
Here's hoping the Dems will cancel the missile defence shield, it's unecessary and is only causing tension.
Owen, London, UK
HOPE is Obama's word and I to hope for hope
Johnny, USA,
Deployment of these missiles is nothing but a strategy to exploit the period up to 20 January 2009. The current US group cannot be relied upon to develop a coherent policy on its own nor participate effectively in a NATO-derived solution to this development. Brace yourselves for a few more tests...
Keble, Bellevue,
Despite the hard tone and bluster, Russia will be relatively easy to deal with on a military basis. The U.S.A. has a massive and unparalleled advantage with Stealth Technologies and can afford quite a bit in the way of concessions.
Dealing with the Russians politically is always a test of patience.
michael, san francisco, u.s.a.
The homeland of war?America, who have been involved in war for centuries, who intervene in every conceivable conflict. The US Civil War, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan. The beginning of the 20th century did have Europe dominating war, but America are worse, they dont fight at home, they go abroad!
Amy, Newcastle,
What does Russia want? What are they so afraid of? That is what Obama needs to figure out and fast.
Sue , Twyford, UK
USA needs to get ready to take a back seat to world politics, because Russia and/or China will become the next world leading country,,,
marty, cleveland,
What is Russia thinking? Do they really believe moves like this will end in a good way for them?
Todd Ackerman, Arcola, USA
This isn't a crisis; just a simple, blunt, statement of fact by Mevedev. Can one be fairer?
Howard, Suusex, UK
The US must sever all ties to the UK and France. It is wanted by the European people, anyway. They are not our allies. Never have been.
JoJo, Boston, USA
JL Ronish,
Right, sure we're the home of war. Remind me how many wars Europe has started since WW2 compared to America. Yeah, that's what I thought.
Martin, St Andrews, Scotland
Obama has already promised to cut the funding for a missle defense shield, so this is a non-issue. He is going to extend an olive branch of peace to the world by ending the oppressive nature of the U.S. military. So Europe, do not worry about Russian missles, they will be removed. Trust them!
Ed, Tallahassee, USA
He is just defending his country. Why could anybody believe russians must sit and wait for american troopers to march in Moskva ?
Alex Coman, Medgidia, Romania
Well well, Joe Biden warned us about the new president being tested early. I hope we all don't end up in Fallout Shelters again. Hopefully Obama will get us out of europe all together as it has always been he homeland of war.
JL Ronish, seattle , usa
America has no business planting missiles anywhere except on American soil.
Lets hope Obama defuses the missile situation by pulling all missiles back to America.
Ivan de Nemethy, London, Murder Mile
And another crisis resumes... it is not gravy to be a president. Soon, Russia will be an issue that the whole world will have to deal with- if not on political scale, then economic. Something is wrong in Russia and they are just preparing themselves to act, whether US/Europe back down or not.
Ayub Chege, Bristol,