Obama shows sense of realism

could be worse.... anyone still remember The Strategic Defense Initiative proposal by U.S. President Reagan...Star Wars indeed, we all survived the non deployment of that little gem... and I have the fullest confidence we shall survive the non deployment if these missiles.

I can't believe the extremes on this... the USA is in no more risk today because of that announcement than it was last week before the announcement...

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Originally Posted by anthonyvop

Really?

Explain WW2 to me then.
You remember WW2 don't you?
That is where the 2nd largest Military in the world attacked the Biggest Millitary.

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You seem to have forgotten the Cold War.

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Originally Posted by anthonyvop

So you are sure that Iran isn't a threat? On what do you base it on? The "Lets all get along" study or the "Group hug" effect?
As for Russia are you advocating that we lower our guard to more closely match their capabilities?
BTW Putin still has his finger on the button of a lot of ICBMs and MRBMs.

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Every indication seems to be that Iran isn't a threat. And say what you like, but Russia's military capabilities are seriously lacking. The country's long-distance missile forces are not a patch on those of the US, and its air arms are in a parlous state; for instance, its strategic bombers are able to conduct missions for show when it suits the country's aims but little else. Make no mistake, Russia's armed forces are no match for those of the US, and add in the rest of NATO and it would have no ability to sustain operations against allied forces. There is little sign of this changing at present, no matter what wealth Russia may possess.

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Originally Posted by fousto

Exactly !!! Close all our bases and bring our guys home. Screw you guys - take care of yourselves. We have enough places to put missile shields so we don't need you guys including asia. It is about time for you to spend some money on defense or just do what comes natural "surrender"

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Given that it is no practical to, for instance, launch all US Air Force bomber missions from US territory, hence the use of bases in the UK and Diego Garcia, I would suggest that it is strategically very important for the US to have bases in other locations than its own. Thankfully those charged with such aspects of defence policy take into consideration wider strategic necessities. Overseas bases, including those in Europe, remain necessary.

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Originally Posted by Cooper_S

could be worse.... anyone still remember The Strategic Defense Initiative proposal by U.S. President Reagan...Star Wars indeed, we all survived the non deployment of that little gem... and I have the fullest confidence we shall survive the non deployment if these missiles.

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I was just about to ask those who are hostile to the cancellation of the missile defence programme about SDI. In what sense do they deem its abandonment, in its original form, acceptable while considering the abandonment of the East European missile defence shield to present a mortal danger?

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Originally Posted by BDunnell

You seem to have forgotten the Cold War.

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Forgotten?
It has never really ended.

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Originally Posted by BDunnell

I was just about to ask those who are hostile to the cancellation of the missile defence programme about SDI. In what sense do they deem its abandonment, in its original form, acceptable while considering the abandonment of the East European missile defence shield to present a mortal danger?

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I don't

I was against abandonment of SDI.

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Originally Posted by anthonyvop

I don't

I was against abandonment of SDI.

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Why were you against the abandonment of SDI?

This isn't news. I told everybody months ago the missle defense system would be cancelled. Of course, once again I was dismissed as an idiot but, gee whizz, here we are! It has nothing to do with new intelligence or reassessments. Obama couldn't assess his butt with both hands if is life depended on it. This is the original deal going into play. The US needs a staging area to have a Iran Invasion option available as a credible threat. That area is Afghanistan. To do that, the US needs to bail out of Iraq quickly; done. The US needs to start raising force levels in Afghanistan; started. To make this work, the US needs to be able to use Russian friendly states to provide logistic supply routes to Afghanistan and have the Russians look the other way if the US does go into Iran. Mr. Putin needed the missle defence stuff out of Europe and A US agreement to look the other way when Putin settles the Georgia issue, which we will do.

Just business as usual.

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Originally Posted by Eki

Better defensive lowers the threshold of offensive. You will attack more easily if you know your opponent can't strike back.

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yes...Iran or Russia could STRIKE because of a lessor system. I don't think either will happen but they sure as heck were LESS likely to attack with missles with an upgraded missle defense system. I go around with you on these arguments all the time Eki, better to be prepared for war and NOT go then to be without any defense with irrational people attacking you. Now I know you will say the US is irrational, but last time I looked, Obama wasn't pledging to wipe a country off the map like Iran's leadership does.