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Home Front: Politix
US firms, others may gain from shield pullback
2009-09-18
Investors could see some long-term trade and other benefits if a U.S. move to back away from a missile shield in Eastern Europe yields improvements in relations with Russia.

But it could raise other risks.
Like Iran threatening the spineless Euros ...
U.S. President Barack Obama has told eastern European states he is abandoning plans to place interceptor missiles in Poland and a radar complex in the Czech Republic aimed at defending against missile launches from "rogue" states.

While Washington might hope to gain Russian co-operation on everything from nuclear weapons cuts to efforts to curb Iranian and North Korean weapons programmes, the risk remains that the move could also embolden Kremlin hardliners.
Putin's already said he won't pressure the Iranians. Seems like "Washington's hopes" are off to a bad start ...
A more assertive Russia would unnerve investors taken aback by war in Georgia last year, but if relations do genuinely improve potential benefits could include easier trade between Russia and the eastern EU as well as a softer ride for U.S. firms in Russia. "U.S. companies have arguably lost out to some European companies in joint ventures, and better diplomacy will likely improve the chances for investors in the strategic sectors of the Russian economy," said Carlo Gallo, senior Russia analyst at London-based consultancy Control Risks.
Posted by:Fred

#8  RUSSIA > has to survive both the INTERNAL + EXTERNAL ISLAMIST THREAT AGZ RUSS SOVEREIGNTY + NUKES, + CHINA's desire for "LIVING SPACE" in Asia + RECOVERY OF LOST ANCIENT CHIN TERRITORIES [lost "national honor"]. Read, RUSSIA'S FAR EAST + CENTRAL ASIA.

* YEAR 2012 BENCHMARK > IRAN will likely get its Nukes, BUT NOT NECESSAR ONLY "URANIUM" NUCTECHS [read, PLUTONIUM]??? By definition, RADICAL ISLAM = MILITS-TERRS will also be Nukulaar.
Posted by: JosephMendiola   2009-09-18 19:42  

#7  Pragmatically, as US-specific BMD-GMD Techs grows more accurate and complex, IMO the USDOD will just simply shift the TMD mission to Euro-based US forces e.g. e.g. USAF + ABLS, etc.; USN + AEGIS SBMD, US Army + advanc Patriots.

GOOD NEWS for the USN + its Programmes, includ as per ARSENAL SHIPS, ORBITAL DIRIGIBLES, etc.
Posted by: JosephMendiola   2009-09-18 19:34  

#6  Russia's eastern half has large deposits of critical rare metals IIRC, including niobium (used for steel alloys and the superconductors for MRI scanners), lithium (batteries, high tech ceramics, aircraft skins) and vanadium (high speed drills and other specialized tools).
Posted by: lotp   2009-09-18 12:38  

#5  Trade? The only thing Russia produces of Western use is oil & a few other natural resources. We already get that, if you haven't noticed all of those "Lukoil" reminders sitting on every fifth streetcorner.
Posted by: Mitch H.   2009-09-18 11:09  

#4  Benefits to Russia.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru   2009-09-18 10:53  

#3  Rooters doing their 'positive thing' spin.
Posted by: Mullah Richard   2009-09-18 10:45  

#2  "Smart Diplomacy" also led to making the announcement on the 70th anniversary of the Soviet invasion of Poland at the start of WWII. Freaking amateur idiots
Posted by: Frank G   2009-09-18 10:43  

#1  The Russians are consummate chess players. In chess, you trade pieces either to gain an advantage or simplify the position. (the "we'll pull our missiles out of Cuba if you don't deploy in Europe" is classical) The idea of giving something away with nothing in return is simply laughable. Putin and his boys must be rolling on the floor.
Posted by: SteveS   2009-09-18 03:02  

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