Russia to move missiles to Baltic
The Russian sense of timing is impeccable. As the eyes of the world are focused elsewhere and millions of people dream of a new and better world, here is reminder of just how difficult the job of US President will be. I wonder how President-elect Obama will deal with this problem when his time comes? From the BBC Russia to move missiles to Baltic Russia is to deploy new missiles in a Baltic enclave near Nato member Poland, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev says. Short-range Iskander missiles in the Kaliningrad region would "neutralise" the planned US anti-missile shield in Poland and the Czech Republic, he said. The US says its shield is a defence against missiles from "rogue" nations, but Moscow sees it as a direct threat. Mr Medvedev also said he wanted to extend Russia's presidential term to six years from the current four. He did not explain if he wanted to extend his own term, or change the rules for his successor. There has long been speculation that Mr Medvedev is a stop-gap so that Prime Minister Putin - who served the maximum two consecutive terms - can return to the top job, correspondents say. 'Conceited' US policy In his first state-of-the nation address, Mr Medvedev said Moscow would deploy the Iskander missile system in the Kaliningrad region - between Nato members Lithuania and Poland - to "neutralise - if necessary - the anti-missile system". "Naturally, we also consider using for the same purpose the resources of Russia's navy," he said. Mr Medvedev also said Russia would jam the US anti-missile system electronically. Mr Medvedev's announcement is extremely provocative, but the Kremlin's clear message is that America is to blame, the BBC's Rupert Wingfield-Hayes in Moscow says. Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus later said that Russia's decision to deploy missiles was "beyond comprehension". In his speech to lawmakers, the Russian leader also said the August war in Georgia had resulted from a "conceited" US foreign policy. He said "the conflict in the Caucasus was used as a pretext for sending Nato warships to the Black Sea and also for the foisting on Europe of America's anti-missile systems". Mr Medvedev, who succeeded Vladimir Putin in May, vowed that Russia "won't retreat in the Caucasus". Mr Medvedev also blamed Washington for the global financial crisis, but said Russia would "overcome" the challenge.

I hope Putin used lube when he shoved his arm up the puppets backside. Putin is still the man in charge and will be when he gets back as president. There is no democracy in Russia it is and always has been a dictatorship. This blatant rigging of the constitution is designed to give Putin a 25 year term. As for the claims about America being the aggressor in everything is entirely predictable... indeed, expected.

Surely, the US siting son of Star Wars in Poland was sabre rattling? Can't expect Russia to say "Go ahead!"

I don't think that it was sabre rattling. With Poland joining NATO it was logical, not only strategically for the defence of Poland, and the UK for that matter, but it was also a stark reminder to the USSR that its empire days were well and truly over. Since this was first mooted, of course, the world has changed considerably with Russia finding itself dominating Europe in energy and, under Putin, getting back to the bullying days of the Cold War era. It's not that long ago, under Yeltsin, that Russia was on its economic knees, but the bully is getting its second wind and is probably more dangerous now than it was in the 60s. Putin worries me because he doesn't give a shit what the rest of the world thinks, so much so that he is the atheist version of Islam... hateful, vindictive and not giving a damn about his people just as long as he gets to go on the power trip.

Trouble is, the UK cannot afford to upset Russia because we import humungous quantities of Russian NLG and LPG. And furthermore, Russia now sits on a massive foreign exchange pile: including US dollars. Huge strategic weapon this.

It may well have a huge pile of dosh, but it isn't spending anything inside the country. The infrastructure has been ignored for years... remember the queues outside the shithole that calls itself Gum? And the bread queues? Nothing much has changed, the peasants still eke out a living without help from anyone. That will be the undoing of Russia in the future... not strategic weapons.

A bit like Gateshead, then? :lol:

No doubt Jack will respond to that in due course.

I quite like the idea of people (or 'peasants', if you prefer) depending on and supporting the local economy using their own ingenuity and self-reliance. That is the future if you ask me. The idea that unlimited growth on a global scale as recomended and required by unfettered capitalism is the way to earthly paradise is nonsense. 'Global problems require global problems', said Gordon Brown this morning. Nope, I say, the drive towards globalism (supported by Brown, et al) caused these problems in the first place and we are finished if we merely accelerate the process. As for Gateshead: always been in the shadow of Newcastle, I'm afraid. Town centre is buggered, thanks to Tesco and the local council. Four million quid missing in Iceland. Increasing numbers of immigrants which the local council is very keen on, as well as modern art, for some reason, since the place is littered with such things. The most famous (and biggest) is the Angel of the North, of course. According to the Chief Executive of the local council, the town is well-placed to weather the global downturn. Er, I doubt it!

I quite like the idea of people (or 'peasants', if you prefer) depending on and supporting the local economy using their own ingenuity and self-reliance. That is the future if you ask me. It most certainly would be... in accordance with the BNP's policies! 'Global problems require global problems', said Gordon Brown this morning. I sincerely hope that he said 'Global problems require global solutions' or he's a bigger twat than I thought he was!

Ooops, phone rang, so my train of thought was interupted. Brown should be happy this morning (at least): Labour held Glenrothes!