Article

2007-10-31 Europe

Archived material is restricted to Rantburg regulars and members. If you need access email fred.pruitt=at=gmail.com with your nick to be added to the members list. There is no charge to join Rantburg as a member.

Posted by Chuck 2007-10-31 02:38|| || Front Page|| [7 views ] Top

#1 STRATEGYPAGE > French semi-privat consortium helping Russia in the design of better Russ submarines. You just know Russ will never opt/plan to use 'em against USA-NATO.

Posted by JosephMendiola 2007-10-31 05:09|| 2007-10-31 05:09|| Front Page Top

#2 If I was Putin I'd probably follow a similar plan.

I'd also try to promote an increased birthrate as the Chinese did at one time. I'd also promote immigration to Siberia amungst the Indians and Latin Americans hoping for some kind of land rush to populate the region before the Chinese start eying it.

I'd also talk to the Japanese, give them those pesky islands back in turn for investment in a new bullet transiberian railway.

I'd also stop bullying everyone and try to become the prefered military of the Europeans. That is European cash + Russian peacekeepers equals a foreign policy both sides could hopefully deal with and feel like grown up governments.

I would also end the draft and try to create a private military closer to what the US did.

I would try to SELL my old nuclear assets for some cash. That includes rusting naval ships as well as nuclear weapons. Let environmental groups and such guilt the world into paying you to prevent reactors from rusting out and polluting the arctic.

I would link up with South Africa to spread Pebble Bed nuke reactors around the globe, using this peaceful means as a basis for my eventual alliance.

Posted by rjschwarz 2007-10-31 12:37|| 2007-10-31 12:37|| Front Page Top

#3 Sure are a lot of assumptions to Ledeen's little scenario. Wheels within wheels within wheels. Plausible I suppose, but only barely so.

Posted by remoteman 2007-10-31 17:45|| 2007-10-31 17:45|| Front Page Top

#4 Ledeen's been grinding this axe for so long, it's turned into a sledgehammer.

Putin's making nice with Iran because

a) Doing so keeps those meddlesome Chinese at bay and

b) Iran 'distracts' the U.S. via Hesb'allah, its Iraqi proxies, its Syrian semi-ally, the Al Quds Force, etc.

Anything else is gravy.

Posted by Pappy 2007-10-31 21:55|| 2007-10-31 21:55|| Front Page Top

#5 Great assessment Pappy. You've got to think diobolically to understand the Russian strategic think.

Posted by Besoeker 2007-10-31 21:59|| 2007-10-31 21:59|| Front Page Top

23:49 ryuge
23:17 gorb
23:01 gorb
22:55 gorb
22:44 Zenster
22:43 anymouse
22:35 Zenster
22:32 twobyfour
22:29 twobyfour
22:05 Pappy
21:59 Besoeker
21:57 mhw
21:55 Red Dawg
21:55 Pappy
21:54 Besoeker
21:52 Besoeker
21:51 Besoeker
21:47 Besoeker
21:43 Frank G
21:41 Pappy
21:41 Frank G
21:33 Frank G
21:33 Mike
21:29 Zenster