Ugly Realities, Restless Allies
"Either we agree on anti-missile defence and create full-fledged, joint co-operation or - if we fail to reach constructive co-operation - (we will face) a new round of the arms race. And then we will have to make a decision on deploying new strike forces." Russian President Dmitry MedvedevA not-too-veiled threat? Born of exasperation?
Such a reasonable man. Certainly, compared with, say, strongman Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister of Russia. Accustomed to speaking bluntly, aggressively, proudly assertive. Not a particularly reasonable man. But then Russians are devoted to the tradition imposed upon them by autocratic political elites. This is what they have become accustomed to, to admiring and heartily applauding one who is decidedly a leader of men.
Mr. Medvedev's personality appears other than that of his friend; more conciliatory, more balanced, more aware. So it is somewhat surprising that he is now advancing himself as a character match for the fearlessly formidable Mr. Putin. We haven't yet seen any photographs of Mr. Medvedev facing tigers, grizzlies, whales; sitting astride Arabian steeds, Kalashnikov casually in hand. And we may not. Simply not his style.
But who knows? He is putting the West on notice that Russia remains uncomfortable with the European missile shield. Did this follow a deep and dark discussion with his mentor who railed for years, as president before him, at the proposed presence on former Soviet territory of missiles he claimed would be aimed at Moscow?
The Russian bear does become disgruntled at times, and that's generally when its neighbours and the countries of the European Union brace themselves for misery and unpleasantness. Never in the summer months when there is no real need of reliable gas pipeline energy deliveries, however. No one need take Russian co-operation for granted, nor dispense with the need to admire its graciousness.
A petulant Russia is tired of waiting on NATO to come to the table to seriously discuss a continental shield the Kremlin cannot quite bring itself to back. The big roadblock seems to be Russia's dismissal of concern over Iran's dark looming nuclear presence, the purported target of the missile shield, not restively-annoyed Russia.
Labels: NATO, Political Realities, Russia, Technology, United States
posted by Pieface @ Wednesday, December 01, 2010
<< Home