check : http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/6349287.stm

Two steps back in US-Russia relations  ? Where does this leave the 'war on terror' in Central Asia ?

Just thought I'd pop in to once again congratulate George W Bush -- and, by transitive law, those who voted for him a couple of times -- for un-winning the Cold War.  Heck of a job.

In an interview with the Globe and Mail, Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened to target Europe with missiles, including potentially nuclear weapons, in a dramatic escalation of his Cold War-style showdown with the United States.

Mr. Putin, in an interview at his summer residence outside Moscow, said he considers U.S. plans to build an eastern European anti-missile site to shoot down Iranian missiles a provocation aimed at Russia.

He repeatedly described the anti-missile system as a part of the American "strategic nuclear potential," whose existence he said requires Russia to retaliate to maintain the global "strategic balance."

Asked what he might do to retaliate, he said he would return Russia to the Cold War status where missiles were aimed at European targets.

"It is obvious that if part of the strategic nuclear potential of the United States is located in Europe, and according to our military experts will be threatening us, we will have to respond," he said.

"What kind of steps are we going to take in response? Of course, we are going to get new targets in Europe."

He suggested that this could include powerful nuclear-capable weapons.

"What kind of means will be used to hit the targets that our military believe are potential threats to the Russian federation? This is a purely technical issue, be it ballistic missiles or cruise missiles, or some kinds of novel weapons systems - this is a purely technical issue."

Kinda reminds me of all these retro/remake blockbusters that are filling the screens lately, borrowing IPs from yesteryear in order to appeal to people's nostaglia.  Except the prize isn't box-office receipts, it's fear.

{Don't worry, I do understand that all this saber-rattling is largely strategic positioning for show purposes.  After all, when you have a relationship between secret policeman and son of secret policeman, whatever's really happening isn't going to be what's in the news.}

Anyway, commence yawning.

From the article in my OP :

"We expect to continue co-operation with Russia in areas important to the international community such as counter-terrorism and reducing the spread and threat of weapons of mass destruction," said Gordon Johndroe, press secretary for the White House National Security Council

Way to go Team Bush.

The world is so much safer these days...

The US says it wants missile defence in eastern Europe to counter threats from states like Iran and North Korea.

On Sunday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Iran was not a threat to the US, hinting that Russia was the target.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has said he will have "frank" talks with Mr Putin this week about the threat.

x-ray
if your back's against the wall, turn around and write on it...