Russia Successfully Tests New-Generation Ballistic Missile

[saltwn]

In a statement from the navy on Thursday, Sept. 19, Russia said that "a new-generation Bulava ballistic missile was successfully fired from the White Sea to the Kura testing site in Kamchatka" in Russia's far eastern region.

With a range of 8,000 kilometers (5,000 miles), the Bulava can be equipped with up to 10 individually targeted nuclear warheads.

The missile test-fire comes during a time when US-Russia relations have hit a post Cold War low after Moscow's recent military intervention in Georgia. Washington harshly criticized the military move.

Russia, too, has recently expressed anger over US plans to establish a powerful missile-tracking reader in the Czech Republic as well as interceptor missiles in Poland.

Russia doubts US intentions

According to analysts, Russia is now beefing up its missile systems to counter the planned US shield in the region which it views as a tactical move by the US to deter Russia's nuclear activity.

Washington, however, maintains that the shield is too small to defend against Russia and is instead meant to protect against "rogues states" such as Iran.

The latest test launch also comes only three weeks after Russia test-fired the intercontinental Topol RS-12M missile. Are you more likely to be politically left or right if you scare easily? : Scientific American Blog

We shouldn't ignore their attempts. One day they will again be a formidable enemy.

[cnredd]

Originally Posted by saltwn

We shouldn't ignore their attempts. One day they will again be a formidable enemy.

Ignore?...

I see this as MORE of a reason for a missile defense...

[saltwn]

Originally Posted by cnredd

Ignore?...

I see this as MORE of a reason for a missile defense...

I was referring to the assumption some have voiced that just because Russia isn't the USSR it used to be that she is somehow inept and floundering around with no specific goals except propaganda for the sake of their politicians.

I never trusted Putin. Actually I didn't trust Yeltsin who looked increasingly like a return to the old school KGB way of doing things.
There were once high hopes for Russia, but old warriors and causes die hard.

[cnredd]

Originally Posted by saltwn

I was referring to the assumption some have voiced that just because Russia isn't the USSR it used to be that she is somehow inept and floundering around with no specific goals except propaganda for the sake of their politicians.

Wow...

I've never heard that...

[saltwn]

Originally Posted by cnredd

Wow...

I've never heard that...

http://www.politicalwrinkles.com/int...-bad-news.html

http://www.politicalwrinkles.com/int...html#post39802

Maybe I'm wrong. I thought you were indicating it was propaganda.

[dabateman]

Originally Posted by cnredd

Wow...

I've never heard that...

You may not have heard that, but that's how our government has been officially treating them since Reagan... "We brought ya'll Ruskies the Freedom and such... Love on us."

The process by which Russia was transformed was one of the most difficult processes in history not to mention rife with corruption that still exists today. We didn't kill the Russian bear, we just confused it for a moment. Now it's really pissed.

[faithful_servant]

Originally Posted by saltwn

We shouldn't ignore their attempts. One day they will again be a formidable enemy.

They never stopped being a formidable enemy.... Russia has been the opponent of freedom for centuries. There has NEVER been a time when Russia could truly be considered a nation which has supported freedom. Under the Czars, they had the most oppressive monarchy on the planet, as the USSR, they repeatedly invaded and took control of free countries, as the Russian Federation, they are showing thier old USSR tactics more and more. Never thnk for a minute that Russia is now or ever has been a friend of freedom.