Why did Russian military jets buzz a US destroyer in the Black Sea ... ?

[In_The_Wind]

Russia tests the waters: Military jets buzz a US destroyer in the Black Sea, Moscow tests a new cruise missile in violation of arms treaty and deploys a spy ship off the coast of Delaware as Trump's NSA is in disarray

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4224832/Military-jets-buzzed-destroyer-Black-Sea.html



Russia Deploys Missile, Violating Treaty and Challenging Trump

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/14/world/europe/russia-cruise-missile-arms-control-treaty.html?_r=0




There's a Russian spy ship hanging out off the East Coast

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10141702597




Russian spy ship patrolling off U.S. East Coast.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10028649094

[Aristus]

1. Intercontinental dick-measuring.

Putin knows Trump isn't going to do anything about it.

[In_The_Wind]

2. A pissing contest! Is 45 down wind?

[Aristus]

3. I hope so.

Although the only thing that decreases my desire to piss on Trump is the possibility that he might enjoy it.

[In_The_Wind]

6. I agree with you.

[Cha]

20. Nicely framed, Aristus

[msanthrope]

4. Because they could. nt

[0rganism]

5. giving Trump some ez ways to "stand up to Russia" or whatever

right now the big story is how the Russians (may have) compromised our national government at the highest levels

Trump is going to need to do something about this to save his presidency, and idiot or not he does represent a significant asset involving significant resource investment for Putin.

if i were Putin i'd do a few ... errr... "uncomfortable" things that i don't mind walking back to help Trump look stronger

after strenuous "netotiations" Putin can
apologize for the flyby
withdraw the spy ship
cancel some future cruise missile tests
no big loss, maybe even saves some $$$
and Trump can claim that YUGE diplomatic victory over Russia he needs to help rescue his hopelessly degenerate presidency

that's how i see it playing out

[toddwv]

15. That's a logical idea.

However, I think doing it just to embarrass the US and show that we have a weak president who is all talk and no action is also just as likely.

[0rganism]

17. that kind of early victory lap seems un-Vladlike to me

from what i've seen so far, Vlad plays the long game and he's damn good at it
solidifying a puppet government in what used to be one of his country's major international rivals would be a worthy use of his time

i just don't imagine a scenario where Putin intentionally weakens his greatest asset for the sake of ego
maybe if doing so gave him an edge in an upcoming election or political struggle, but from what i gather he's got his domestic political situation under control (and under a jackboot, too).

[Blue_Tires]

7. The buzzings and the spy ships are fairly routine

it's the missile that is the true concern...

[Sherman A1]

9. Agreed

The missiles are the issue.

[In_The_Wind]

14. The missile launch worries me most of all.

[yagotme]

13. Agreed.

Russia has been spying on us since, well, ages. Probably industrial revolution era, at least.

[jeanmarc]

8. Piss tape release imminent

I think at some point, Putin is just going to destroy Donald and not even care about the US response.

[Cognitive_Resonance]

10. Yes, if it becomes apparent Comrade Trump is no longer useful (e.g. lifting sanctions) Pootie will

destroy him in a way that causes maximum damage and disruption to the U.S. government. The games with buzzing U.S. Navy, deploying spy ships, and violating arms treaties may be designed to stir the pot within the U.S. government. Perhaps even to smoke out anti-Russian hard-liners within the ranks of the defense and IC establishment so they can be marginalized or eliminated.

[jeanmarc]

12. All of this

Why not create a nice Piss Pussy Riot?

Comrade Donald is useless to everyone: GOP, Russians, Oil interests, etc.

He's so fucking insane and ignorant, even Putin has no use for him.

Might as well blow things up after the one or two things he needs are done.

But Vlad is getting impatient.

[unblock]

11. strutting. russia's international influence has gone up bigly thanks to punking the u.s. election.

they turned the "sole remaining superpower" into just another puppet state.

they are advertising to the world that they can do whatever they want, and everyone best answer to them, and ignore the u.s.


donnie's mere presence in the white house is costing america bigly.

[herding cats]

16. The real question is, why hasn't Trump said anything about any of this yet?

What'll it take to get a response out of the WH? Does Putin have to go on TV saying clearly his hands are much, much bigger than Trump's, or laugh at Trumps tiny, pathetic little crowds?

[pinboy3niner]

18. I'm not sure he'd react even if the Russians made rude gestures

Trump Says He'll Attack Iran Over Rude Gestures - New York Magazine
http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2016/09/trump-says-hell-attack-iran-over-rude-gestures.html

[herding cats]

19. Give it time.

I'm pretty sure Putin is planning a state mandated mooning of the US next.