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Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands upon Putin’s arrival in Tehran. Putin backed Iran’s right to nuclear energy and argued against military action, during the first visit to the country by a Kremlin chief since World War II.

Putin Visits Iran, Sends Warnings to US

Russian leader Vladimir Putin met his Iranian counterpart Tuesday and implicitly warned the U.S. not to use a former Soviet republic to stage an attack on Iran. He also said nations shouldn’t pursue oil pipeline projects in the area if they weren’t backed by regional powers.

At a summit of the five nations that border the inland Caspian Sea, Putin said none of the nations’ territory should be used by any outside countries for use of military force against any nation in the region. It was a clear reference to long-standing rumors that the U.S. was planning to use Azerbaijan, a former Soviet republic, as a staging ground for any possible military action against Iran.

“We are saying that no Caspian nation should offer its territory to third powers for use of force or military aggression against any Caspian state,” Putin said.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad also underlined the need to keep outsiders away from the Caspian.

No surprise that Putin is snuggling up to Ahmadinejad and the Iranian Mullahs. Putin wants control and to recreate the Soviet empire of the Cold War era. Iran wants an oil-exporting partner with military hardware to exert hegemony over the Middle East.
So, what should the United States do?

• Pursue Missile defense, increase operational capability

• Kick Russia out of the G-8, making the association the G-7

• Increase defense spending, particularly for the Navy. Build more ships and submarines.

• Increase economic and political sanctions on Iran outside the United Nations

Just to name a few……..

Iran Nuclear Watch: Iran Sanctions Delayed AGAIN

Iran Nuclear Watch: Nuclear Issue Closed

Iran Watch: A Crush on Ahmadninejad? Part Two

Iran Nuclear Watch: Sarkozy – Nuclear Iran Could Lead to WAR

Iran Watch: Ahmadinejad – We Don’t Have Homosexuals

The Iran Archive

The Iran Nuclear Archive

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Technorati Tags: Iran, Ahmadinejad, Vladimir Putin, Russia

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U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, left, and U.S. Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, right, smile as Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with an unidentified member of US delegation, unseen, at the presidential residence of Novo-Ogaryovo near Moscow, Friday, Oct. 12, 2007. In a tense start to talks on a range of thorny issues, President Vladimir Putin on Friday warned U.S. officials to back off a plan to install missile defenses in eastern Europe or risk harming relations with Moscow.

Putin Says Missile Plan Risks Relations

In a tense start to talks on a range of thorny issues, President Vladimir Putin on Friday warned U.S. officials to back off a plan to install missile defenses in eastern Europe or risk harming relations with Moscow.

Addressing Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Robert Gates, the Russian president appeared to mock the U.S. missile defense plan, which is at the center of a tangle of arms control and diplomatic disputes between the former Cold War adversaries.

“Of course we can sometime in the future decide that some anti-missile defense system should be established somewhere on the moon,” Putin said, according to an English translation. “But before we reach such arrangements we will lose the opportunity for fixing some particular arrangements between us.”

Putin also said Russia might feel compelled to pull out of a 20-year-old arms control deal unless it is expanded.

Oh well.

Russia will have to do what it wants to do and the United States and its allies have to protect themselves. This includes protection from the totalitarian Putin as well as Iran.

There will be more negotiation but Russia is not in a position to be dictating anything.

By the way, United States Missile Defense is operational.

Previous:

Missile Defense Watch: US Proposes Joint Missile Defense with Russia

Missile Defense Watch: Operational

Missile Defense Watch: Vandenberg AFB Ground-Based Interceptor Missile Test is Successful

Missile Defense Watch: Gates – Missile Defense in Eastern Europe Continues

Cox & Forkum: G-8 Party Crasher

Missile Defense Watch: Bush Talks Tough on Missile Defense

Missile Defense Watch: Russia’s Putin Blames America for New Arms Race

Missile Defense Watch: Russia Tests New ICBM – RS-24

Missile Defense Watch: Ground-based Midcourse Defense System Test – Postponed Until Summer

Missile Defense Watch: Ground-based Midcourse Defense System To Be Tested Thursday

Missile Defense Watch: USA and Israel in $205 Million Missile Defense Deal

Missile Defense Watch: Successful Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense “Hit to Kill” Intercept Flight Test

Missile Defense Watch: Russia and USA Clash Over European Missile Shield

Missile Defense Watch: THAAD Missile Defense Test is Successful

Missile Defense Watch: United States Missile Defense Operational Within a Year

The Missile Defense Archive

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Russia holds successful missile test

Russia successfully tested a new sea-based ballistic missile Thursday after several previous failures, a naval spokesman said.

Capt. Igor Dygalo told The Associated Press that the Bulava missile hit its target on the Pacific peninsula of Kamchatka after being launched from the submarine Dmitry Donskoi in the White Sea.

Three earlier tests of the Bulava in recent years ended in failure, raising questions about the missile, which has been hailed as a key future component of Russia’s nuclear arsenal.

As President Bush meets with Russia’s President Putin next week, Flap likes to remind the President of Ronald Reagan’s old adage: TRUST BUT VERIFY.

Update:

Russia lays claim to the North Pole – and all its gas, oil, and diamonds

Russian leader Vladimir Putin has made an astonishing bid to grab a vast chunk of the Arctic, giving himself claim to its vast potential oil, gas and mineral wealth.

His audacious argument that an underwater Russian ridge is linked to the North Pole is likely to lead to an international outcry.

Some commentators have already observed it is further evidence of growing Russian assertiveness under its authoritarian president.

Is Russian assertiveness a result of Bush weakness?

Possible……..

They will have an interesting meeting next week.

Previous:

Michael Ramirez on Cameron Diaz and Other DumbASS Celebrities

Michael Ramirez on Iran and the Spread of Islamic Extremism

Michael Ramirez on Hamas and the Destruction of the Palestinian State

Michael Ramirez on Paris Hilton AND Illegal Immigration

Michael Ramirez on Democrat Representative William Jefferson

The Michael Ramirez Archive

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Technorati Tags: Michael Ramirez

Cox & Forkum: Party Crasher

Moscow could aim nuclear weapons at targets in Europe as part of “retaliatory steps” if Washington proceeds with building a missile defense system on the continent, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday.

Speaking to foreign reporters days before he travels to Germany for the annual summit with President Bush and the other Group of Eight leaders, Putin assailed the White House plan to place a radar system in the Czech Republic and interceptor missiles in neighboring Poland. Washington says the system is needed to counter a potential threat from Iran.

In an interview released Monday, Putin suggested that Russia may respond to the threat by aiming its nuclear weapons at Europe.

“If a part of the strategic nuclear potential of the United States appears in Europe and, in the opinion of our military specialists, will threaten us, then we will have to take appropriate steps in response. What kind of steps? We will have to have new targets in Europe,” Putin said, according to a transcript released by the Kremlin. These could be targeted with “ballistic or cruise missiles or maybe a completely new system” he said.

On Monday, Iran’s top security official called the U.S. plans for the missile defense shield a “joke,” saying Tehran’s missiles do not have the capability to reach Europe.

“Claims by U.S. officials that installing a missile defense system in Europe is aimed at confronting Iranian missiles and protecting Europe against Iran is the joke of the year,” Ali Larijani told the state-run IRNA news agency.

“The range of Iran’s missiles doesn’t reach Europe at all,” IRNA quoted Larijani as saying in Iran’s first public reaction to the plans. Larijani is secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, the country’s top security decision-making body.

Iran is known to possess a medium-range ballistic missile called the Shahab-3 that has a range of at least 800 miles, capable of striking Israel. In 2005, Iranian officials said they had improved the range of the Shahab-3 to 1,200 miles.

The way Russia has been stalling for Iran in the United Nations Security Council, will not support tough sanctions for them to cease uranium enrichment and cutting nuclear and defense deals with Iran is it any surprise that Iran would NOT support its patron?

The fact is the new Shahab-4 and Shahab-6 missiles have the range to threaten Europe. And guess from where the technology for these multi-stage missiles comes?

Why, Russia and North Korea.

Putin speaks with a FORKED TONGUE and Ali Larijani is a LIAR.

Previous:

The Cox & Forkum Files

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Technorati Tags: Cox & Forkum, Russia, Iran, Putin, Larijani, Shahab-6, Shahab-4, Missile Defense

Russian President Vladimir Putin(R) speaks with his US President George W. Bush during a 2006 working session of G8 leaders in Strelna outside St Petersburg. Bush reached out to Russia Friday to soothe concerns over a planned US missile defense program that has cranked tension between the allies and fears of a Cold War-style arms race.

CNN: Bush talks tough on missile defense as summit nears

President Bush defended his plan to build a missile defense system in Russia’s backyard, even though it has sparked fresh tensions in the already frayed Washington-Moscow relationship.

Russia has reacted to the new system by unleashing several rounds of harsh rhetoric against the United States. Bush suggested that Russian President Vladimir Putin needs to get over it.

Russia’s Vladimir Putin, an old guard former KGB operative is WRONG and besides beat his gums can do what?

Russia has been uncooperative with curtailing Iran’s nuclear program and nuclear proliferation in general. Russia has been bolstering Iran’s air defense capabilities.

China has been increasing their military, especially their navy.

So, will Russia align with Iran and China to exert hegemony over the Middle East and Asia?

Possibly

The Quotes:

“The Cold War is over,” Bush told reporters in an interview that previewed an eight-day trip to Europe next week. “We’re now into the 21st century, where we need to deal with the true threats, which are threats of radical extremists who will kill to advance an ideology, and the threats of proliferation.”

Watch for more posturing at the G-8 summit beginning this coming Wednesday.

Previous:

Missile Defense Watch: Russia’s Putin Blames America for New Arms Race

Missile Defense Watch: Russia Tests New ICBM – RS-24

Missile Defense Watch: Ground-based Midcourse Defense System Test – Postponed Until Summer

Missile Defense Watch: Ground-based Midcourse Defense System To Be Tested Thursday

Missile Defense Watch: USA and Israel in $205 Million Missile Defense Deal

Missile Defense Watch: Successful Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense “Hit to Kill” Intercept Flight Test

Missile Defense Watch: Russia and USA Clash Over European Missile Shield

Missile Defense Watch: THAAD Missile Defense Test is Successful

Missile Defense Watch: United States Missile Defense Operational Within a Year

The Missile Defense Archive

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Technorati Tags: Missile Defense Agency, Missile Defense

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin anwers questions during a joint news conference with Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker after a meeting at the Senningen Castle in Luxembourg in this May 24, 2007 file photo. Putin said on Thursday Russia’s test firing of an intercontinental ballistic missile on Tuesday was in response to U.S. steps that have upset the strategic balance.

Reuters: Putin says missile test response to U.S. moves

Russia’s test firing of an intercontinental ballistic missile on Tuesday was in response to U.S. steps that have sparked an arms race and undermined world security, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday.

An RS-20 booster blasts off from the launching pad in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, in April 2007. Russia has said it has successfully tested a new-generation intercontinental ballistic missile, firing it 6,000 kilometres across the country, news agencies reported. The new RS-24 was designed to replace the RS-18 and RS-20 rockets.
The Quotes:

“Our American partners have left the ABM (Anti-Ballistic Missile) Treaty. We have warned them then that we will come out with a response to maintain the strategic balance in the world,” Putin told a news conference.

“We conducted a test of a new strategic ballistic missile with multiple warheads, and of a new cruise missile, and will continue to improve our resources.”

“We are not the initiators of this new round of the arms race,” said Putin. “(Our partners) are stuffing eastern Europe with new weapons. A new base in Bulgaria, another in Romania, a site in Poland, radar in the Czech Republic . . . what are we supposed to do? We cannot just observe all this.”

Crocodile tears from a former, known KGB agent, now the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin. The Russians were going to upgrade their aging and outdated ICBM missile force anyway. So, who is Putin trying to fool?

It sounds to me that he is taking a page out of Ahmadinejad’s media playbook.

The ICBM test proves NOTHING about United States Missile Defense. The system has been under development for over twenty years and is being deployed currently as testing continues. The system will be able to adapt to any technology the Russians devise.

However, Missile Defense does make Russia nervous. Remember the REYKJAVIK, ICELAND summit between Reagan and Gorbachev?

The Soviets wanted America to bargain away SDI, Missile Defense.

So, what does this posturing by Putin mean?

The timing is interesting, considering the G-8 meets next week in Germany.

Also, Russia has not been allied with the United States in halting Iran’s uranium enrichment program and in fact has supported their nuclear program as well as their air defense capability.

Putin announced a few weeks ago that he would step down next year and perhaps this posturing is his legacy or payback to his military and KGB supporters in the government.

But, whatever the motives and machinations of the former Soviet KGB agent, the United States foreign policy and missile defense continues to be governed by the Reagan Policy of

Peace through Strength

“I think both presidents need this summit because before their terms expire they would like to register some positive moments in the bilateral relations to lay the foundation for future contacts,” said Andrei Kortunov, president of the New Eurasia Foundation, a Moscow-based think tank.

“Both leaders are already probably thinking about how they will go down in history, including the way they built relations between the two countries.”

Look for a serious of negotiations to result.

However, the Russia election cycle will begin this Fall and the American one has already begun.

The United States will proceed with their missile defense deployment.

Previous:

Missile Defense Watch: Russia Tests New ICBM – RS-24

Missile Defense Watch: Ground-based Midcourse Defense System Test – Postponed Until Summer

Missile Defense Watch: Ground-based Midcourse Defense System To Be Tested Thursday

Missile Defense Watch: USA and Israel in $205 Million Missile Defense Deal

Missile Defense Watch: Successful Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense “Hit to Kill” Intercept Flight Test

Missile Defense Watch: Russia and USA Clash Over European Missile Shield

Missile Defense Watch: THAAD Missile Defense Test is Successful

Missile Defense Watch: United States Missile Defense Operational Within a Year

The Missile Defense Archive

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Technorati Tags: Missile Defense Agency, Missile Defense

Defense Secretary Robert Gates (L) smiles during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow’s Kremlin April 23, 2007.

US, Russia clash over missile shield for Europe

Russia rebuffed Monday an attempt by US Defence Secretary Robert Gates to soften opposition to Washington’s plan for a missile defence shield in Europe, saying it threatens global security.

Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov told Gates in Moscow that the planned system “is a seriously destabilizing factor that can have a significant influence on regional and global security.”

Gates, who also met with President Vladimir Putin, came to Moscow reiterating Pentagon reassurances that the anti-missile shield would not be aimed at Russia and also holding out offers of cooperation.

“In my talks with the Russian leaders we’ll reiterate that the United States is willing to explore cooperation with Russia across the full spectrum of missile defence activities,” he said.

Gates told Serdyukov that he wanted “to see how we can more positively develop our military-to-military relationship.”

However, there was little sign of progress in easing Moscow’s opposition.

“I would like to underline the point that the Russian position with respect to this issue remains unchanged,” Serdyukov said.

This will be the beginning of years of negotiations between the United States and Russia – Cold War style.

TRUST BUT VERIFY.

But, didn’t President Reagan say that America would share the missile defense technology with the Soviets so that nuclear stockpiles could be MUTUALLY reduced?

Previous:

Missile Defense Watch: THAAD Missile Defense Test is Successful

Missile Defense Watch: United States Missile Defense Operational Within a Year

China Watch: China Uses Ballistic Missile to Destroy a Satellite in Space

Missile Defense Watch: United States Considering Deployment of Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missiles in Japan

Missile Defense Watch: U.S. Missile Defense Agency Rolls Out the Airborne Laser (ABL) Aircraft

Missile Defense Watch: The LEFT’S Revisionist History on Missile Defense

Missile Defense Watch: United States Launches Successful Anti-missile Test from Vandenberg Air Force Base

Missile Defense Watch: Reagan’s Vision

Missile Defense Watch: Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld Tours Alaska Missile Defense Center

Missile Defense Watch: United States and Israel Collaborating on Missile Defense

Missile Defense Watch: “Concept of Operations” To Be Done by Fall

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Technorati Tags: MissileDefenseAgency, Russia, VladimirPutin