Russia Launches Military Exercise Involving Nuclear, Conventional Forces

[rodbarnett]

MOSCOW (AP) - Russia is in the midst of a strategic military exercise aimed at increasing the efficiency of its nuclear deterrent and ability to penetrate missile defenses, a top general said Tuesday.
The exercise, which began in late January on the headquarters level, will later involve the launch of an unspecified number of sea- and ground-based ballistic missiles and flights by strategic bombers, said Col.-Gen. Yuri Baluyevsky, the first deputy chief of the General Staff of the Russian armed forces.

He dismissed media reports that strategic bombers would test-fire missiles over the north Atlantic but refused to comment on their flight routes.

The exercise will help develop weapons systems "capable of providing an asymmetric answer to existing and prospective weapons systems, including missile defense," Baluyevsky said at a news conference.

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGAAF162IQD.html

[raifield]

1. eek!

...ability to penetrate missile defenses...

Well, shit, aren't we in the process of building one? Concidence perhaps, but probably an attempt to remain "on top" of the stragetic power mountain.

"Yeah, you've got a missile defense shield, I've got these bombers here that fly through it!" and etc.

[Vogon_Glory]

2. Still Alarming, But Understandable

I'm still alarmed, but I find it quite understandable why the Russian Federation is working on beefing up its nuclear assets. If I was the head of a Great Power and was watching the irresponsible antics of the George Deucey-U Bush administration and the Banana Republicans in control of its legislative branches, I'd be working on my nuclear deterrent, too.

Messianic religious fervor seeping into foreign policy decisions, reckless disregard for international law, fiscal policy run amok, and an increasing tendency towards establishing a one-party state...I don't imagine that the Russians aren't worried about the party controlling the US federal government. Given their history, small wonder they're leery.

[JasonBerry]

3. Even this

"Given their history"

Yep! Those poor Russians! Remember the Cuban missile crisis? Remember the Soviet tanks rolling into Eastern Europe? I hate Bush with the best of them, but that doesn't make the Russian government a poor innocent bunch having to defend against mean old America. IMO.
On edit: Before someone says it: YES, I remember WWII. It's no excuse to act like the Russians are some innocent power standing up to the United States.

[AZCat]

4. But they do have a habit of being invaded

It's just that nobody can stand winter in Russia like the Russians!

The comedian Eddie Izzard does an awesome bit in "Dress to Kill" on this...

[Vogon_Glory]

5. Two Ways Of Looking At This

I make no apology for what I've written. I have no love for Great Russian bullying, but I shouldn't be a bit surprised if some of the reason for Putin's work on his deterrent is because of George Deucey-U Bush's foreign policy folly.

Even the guilty have reasons to be concerned about the Boosh regime's actions these days.