On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a decree which suspended Russian participation
in the Intermediate Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. The decision came
after the US announced their intention to withdraw from the same treaty
earlier this year.
The INF was negotiated in 1987 between President Reagan and Soviet
leader Mikhail Gorbachev, and banned land-based nuclear missiles of a
certain range. It effectively took nuclear arms out of Europe.
The deal was successful for years, though in the past decade the US
started accusing Russia of a perceived violation surrounding a single
class of missile. Russia offered inspections of the missiles, and even
put one on public display for foreign reporters and officials to access.
The US insisted this was insufficient.
The alleged violation was based around the potential range of the
missile. Russia maintained it was tested and fitted for shorter range
than the INF covers. The US saw it as similar enough to a sea-based
missile that it would have a range that the INF might cover. But the US
never proved it, and instead spent years complaining until they finally
abandoned the deal this year.
This has led Russia to believe that the US intends to put missiles back
into Europe, which the US denies. Putin has threatened a substantial
nuclear buildup if the US does so, and in suspending the deal, might
start developing missiles that are actually designed to violate INF.
If the US is telling the truth about not wanting missiles in Europe,
then the decision to withdraw from the INF was foolish, as it only ends
Russia’s obligations, and permits them to develop more missiles.
Either way, the INF seems virtually dead now, and the US has made all
the decisions on killing it. The failure to engage with Russia on the
perceived violation shows it was never about a single class of missiles,
but about giving the US a pretext to dishonor the deal.
Prelude to comprehensive negotiations that include China, or, just prelude to arms race disaster.
The reality TV-ness is kind of annoying, since the subject is nukes not soap opera.
And still no alternative to Trump.
Here is a more detailed look at the American weapon that concerns Russia:
https://viableopposition.blogspot.com/2019/02/the-russian-response-to-washingtons.html
Unfortunately, those of us that live in the West rarely get a clear understanding of both sides of the looming nuclear nightmare.
Nuclear issues are where US party lines become very divergent. When Obama negotiated the new START treaty early in his first term, he knew the treaty would require 2/3 Senate approval. The GOP leveraged their support into an array of escalation of nuclear threats. These included the “nuclear upgrade”, which did not add more warheads, but did represent a huge investment in nuclear weapon systems, research and logistics. They also leveraged anti-missile research and deployment into the areas mentioned in your link above. With the GOP wins in 2016, they wasted no time in 2017 with the “usable nukes” bill being passed along partisan lines. Further, the administration has smashed most existing arms limitations treaties, and redeployed nuclear units into first strike areas. The administration has not budged on tit-for-tat disarmament in Korea, instead choosing a surrender-only stance. Chomsky has described the current GOP as the “most dangerous political entity” in the history of man, for these reasons. No, the parties are not “the same”…
You’re absolutely right, Dave Sullivan; nuclear issues are where US party lines certainly become quite divergent. When Obama negotiated the new START treaty early in his first term, he knew the treaty would require 2/3 Senate approval. The GOP leveraged their support into an array of escalation of nuclear threats. These, indeed, included the “nuclear upgrade” which didn’t add more warheads, but did represent a huge investment in nuclear weapons systems, research and logistics. With the GOP wins in 2016, they wasted no time in 2017 with the “usable nukes” bill being passed along partisan lines. The administration has smashed most existing arms limitations treaties and redeployed nuclear units into first strike areas .. a very dangerous move. The administration hasn’t budged on tit-for-tat disarmament in Korea, instead choosing a surrender-only stance. Yes, Chomsky has described the current GOP as the “most dangerous political entity” in the history of mankind, for these reasons. No, the parties aren’t “the same”.
What is this? The DNC bot brigade?
What is this? The DNC bot brigade?
Russia has shown great patience, the USA great arrogance, but Russia appears to holding a very weak hand.
weak hand? Zircon and Poseidon…
ant, Yes, weak hand, if they were strong they would have raised a long time ago. Fact is they know the USA has technology to incapacitate any foe, if the USA wants to use it, and the USA would under the right circumstances,,this is why the USA is such a bully and war monger. Trump alluded to this when he threatened NK, and the Prez. was not kidding!
Why did the US lose Syria to Russia? What does the US have to show for 18 years of war in Afghanistan against tribes with only small arms? LOL. The Taliban has brought the all powerful USA to the bargaining table. https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/28/politics/us-taliban-peace-negotiations-intl/index.html Where are all these great powers they keep in hiding? When do they plan to use them? Do you still believe in Santa Claus?
Dennis, They will only be exposed under the most dire of circumstances, unlike Stealth and SR71. The U.S. did not lose Syria, it was never ours for the taking, no matter how badly Israel wanted us to do so.
I think not. Look at March 1, 2018 announcement and the implementations and tests of the same since. It is a mix of defensive and offensive weapons, a new class not fitting in exiting treaty framework. Given that US has been placing its missile defence in Europe and Asia and Russian complaints were dismissed — asymmetrical approach dealt with the deafness. The juvenile claims that missile defence has nothing to do with banned range /- only gullable media believed. Lauchers are for missiles, and the ones deployed in Europe for “defense” launch tomahawks as well. INF was broken simply by declaring
something “missile defence”.
Russia was complaining, making proposals, suggested joint developentvthrough NATO. The answer was — Russia cannot have a veto on NATO decisions. Russia understood early on. From the bombing of Yugoslavia and NATO snatching of Kosovo. And started rethinking its position.
Anyone knowing history of Russia knows that the display of weakness is a defensive measure buying time. One aircraft carrier billowing smoke was a sorry sight, reinforcing image of weskness and impotence. But since 2000 Russia cut a deal with China, founding SCO. Russia was in fact endangered by submarines as the concept of “short range” means little to a submarine in Baltic Sea.
But forgetting that Russia is a scientific powerhouse was a mistake. Poseidon, an armed probe, is a danger to vast fleets of blue navies and submarines. With no vulnerabilities. The other side of the coin is supersonic advantage, miniaturized aromic reactir powering permanently hovering cruise missiles, MIRV Avangard tested at Mach 27. Zircon is an addition to the already deployed Kinzhal (Chechen, for Dagger). While not mentioned in polite company, one can assume plenty of Russian-Chinese partnerships in all of these.
Given that Russia invested heavily in missile defence to be prepared while developing antidote to US superiority in triad configuration.
Getting out of IMF may not be a gamechanger. Given that US violated it openly with missile defence launchers, and Russia, China and US are working on new classes of weapons.
US now has a reason to negotiate. Pulling out if INF gives this an aura kf strength. But the tide has turned, wide flung navies are vulnerability, submarines no longer safe, and hypersonics with both unlimited range and unpredictable MIRVs. — take away the presumed safety of intercontinental balistic missiles. With Poseidon, no coastal facilities are safe.
Basically, good time to start negotiating. Space has not been militarized yet, so it is high time to put a stop to it. Solution will lie in all manners of arms limited to defense of one’s territory, and freedom of navigation be left to regional or country specific convention. Montreaux convention is a good example to follow.
Bianca, The U.S. carrier task forces and strike groups would be the first taken out, and indeed they are very vulnerable, and this would shake the U.S. population greatly when they see it happen,,,but then I believe the dark projects will be revealed and make quick work of ALL perceived U.S. enemies.
I understand you perfectly. But we live in a different era, and here is little chance (unless some unpredictable event moves war bureaucracies to react like nerds they are) that Russia or China would be unconcerned about the men and women serving on those ships snd submarines.
So uness threatened imminently, such a measure is inconceivable.
I rather think that the positioning iof equal or greater threats should bring even the nerdiest of our leaders that currently color by numbers — to their senses. We are bankrupt, consumer can no longer support the illuion of economy, Trump is squeezing friends and competitirs alike — to get some money in. Right now, we are technologically behind in number of areas, and it is painfully visible. We are offering Saudis to build nuclear power plant — but we ourselves have not broken ground for one in thirty years, barey added one additional reactor to the one in Tennessee. We are offering — an integrator! In supersonic, about a decade behind. In space, had space station resupply runs, and just conducted sucessfully test of Crew version. But ths one was supervised by NASA in coordination with Russia so that Elon Musk would listen to adults. Even then, early evaluation revealed problems that had to be fixed before flight. When it comes to heavy duty rocket Atlas 5, it is still liftsble only by Russian engine. Sample, recent announcement of project Lucy, exploring Jupiter.
As for dark arts, sure. There is a project going on to enhance viruses such as bird flu to cause pandemic. And who knows what not else.
But we are behind in theiretical sciences, as instead of working on scuence, we jump into building robo-cops. Yes, the problem with our scientific genius is being too short on scientific methodology and testing, and too quick to market. Some of the stuff can hurt us — no problem, blame Russians. Even our pride, telecom, is going to be eclipsed by China. 5G is not just about fancier ohone apps, but Bug Data and Internet of Things. That combined with AI, is what will make armed probes like Poseidon capable of data collection, as well as autonomous operations for veryling time, recording their environment and collecting intellugence. This will make factories a very different place. Our problem is not schools. Our oroblem are corporate structures that cannot support science unmess market driven.
Perhaps Trump is right. Take some military budget to dedicate to science. Call it space force, why not. Or beef up. NASA. Contracting money out has set us back, and money is gone.
They lost to Russia in Syria, Ukraine, and Georgia… Turned Iraq over to Iran, made a mess in Libya, fought an 18 year war in Afghanistan with nothing to show for it… seemingly ready to go to the table with the Taliban… who have only small arms. LOL… but the US has some secrect special dark weapon to defeat Russia with?
Dennis, the U.S.does nor want a war with Russia but to just put them in a box and keep them there. Far better to just make them our friends, but DC feels otherwise, the Ghouls that they are.
The Book of Revelation warns: “And another horse came forth, a red horse: and to him that sat thereon it was given to take peace from the earth, and that they should slay one another: and there was given unto him a great sword.” (6:4, ASV) What does this “great sword” mean? Jesus explained: “Terrors [φοβητρα] both [τε] and [και] unusual phenomena [σημεια – unusual occurrences, transcending the common course of nature] from [απ] sky [ουρανου] powerful [μεγαλα] will be [εσται].” (Luke 21:11)
Some ancient manuscripts contain the words “and frosts” [και χειμωνες].
The Aramaic Peshitta: “and will be great frosts” [וסתוא רורבא נהוון]. We call this today “nuclear winter”.
In Mark 13:8 there are also words of Jesus: “and disorders” [και ταραχαι] (in the sense of confusion and chaos).
The Aramaic Peshitta: “and confusion” [ושגושיא] (on the state of public order).
There will be also significant tremors, food shortages and epidemics along the length and breadth of the regions as a result of using this weapon.
Jesus warns us of the consequences of the global nuclear war. To survive, you have to prepare for all this.