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Obama agrees arms cuts, Afghan transit with Russia

donsutherland1

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Today, President Obama and his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev reached agreement on target reductions of the two states' nuclear arsenals. They also agreed to cooperate on global issues such as nuclear proliferation.

Reuters reported:

Visiting President Barack Obama and Kremlin leader Dmitry Medvedev agreed a target for cuts in nuclear arms and a deal to let U.S. troops fly across Russia at the start of a trip intended to mend strained ties...

At a signing ceremony, Obama and Medvedev, wearing identical dark suits, white shirts and red ties, pledged to finalize a treaty by year-end to cut the number of deployed nuclear warheads on each side to 1,500-1,675 from levels above 2,200.

Obama agrees arms cuts, Afghan transit with Russia | U.S. | Reuters
 
I find the whole "mending fences with Russia" thing leaves a bad taste in my mouth as long as its an oligarchy with Putin still holding the strings behind a very thin curtain.
 
I find the whole "mending fences with Russia" thing leaves a bad taste in my mouth as long as its an oligarchy with Putin still holding the strings behind a very thin curtain.

You prefer a nuclear standoff?
 
I find the whole "mending fences with Russia" thing leaves a bad taste in my mouth as long as its an oligarchy with Putin still holding the strings behind a very thin curtain.

A retired military officer and military expert stated today that he believes its a stratigic move by Putin. He surmised that Putin wishes to place the US in a position that would make it possible for russia to look beyond it borders with little US intervention. Basicly by granting something the US wants and needs to help the war in Afganistan we are less likely to make a strong stance against them for making a military move against their neighbors.
 
So wait, Obama is supposed to be a 'modern' President, but all he can think of is a conflict from the 20th Century? He all but has 'detente' written on his forehead, why?

He goes to Russia, doesn't talk about Iran or North Korea or Georgia or gas supplies to the European Union - no mention of these modern conflicts. Instead we're talking of, what, SALT III? In return for, what, airspace? This sounds like a page from my book on the Cold War... What a wasted opportunity.

How about next time we talk about Russia as it was Russia, not the Soviet Union?
 
A retired military officer and military expert stated today that he believes its a stratigic move by Putin. He surmised that Putin wishes to place the US in a position that would make it possible for russia to look beyond it borders with little US intervention. Basicly by granting something the US wants and needs to help the war in Afganistan we are less likely to make a strong stance against them for making a military move against their neighbors.

And Georgia was the testing ground... "Can we asshammer a democracy that was a former Soviet state and get away with it?"

To quote a campaign slogan, YES WE CAN!
 
So wait, Obama is supposed to be a 'modern' President, but all he can think of is a conflict from the 20th Century? He all but has 'detente' written on his forehead, why?

He goes to Russia, doesn't talk about Iran or North Korea or Georgia or gas supplies to the European Union - no mention of these modern conflicts. Instead we're talking of, what, SALT III? In return for, what, airspace? This sounds like a page from my book on the Cold War... What a wasted opportunity.

How about next time we talk about Russia as it was Russia, not the Soviet Union?

The treaty involved arms and airspace, but they talked about more. At the very least, from your list they discussed Georgia

Both mentioned the issues that still divide them -- Russia's opposition to Washington's plans for a missile defense shield in central Europe and U.S. insistence on Georgia's territorial integrity -- but stressed the positives in public.
 
The treaty involved arms and airspace, but they talked about more. At the very least, from your list they discussed Georgia

So the deliberation isn't that Obama did nothing but talk about one real issue, merely... How thankful we are that he at least talked about one?
 
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So the argument isn't that Obama did nothing but talk about one real issue, merely... How thankful we are that he at least talked about it?

No, the point is that we don't know everything they talked about, only what the treaty was about. Furthermore, your post, which listed at least one item that they did talk about and which was publicly reported, implies that you didn't even read the article, but only the title or, at most, the OP.
 
No, the point is that we don't know everything they talked about, only what the treaty was about. Furthermore, your post, which listed at least one item that they did talk about and which was publicly reported, implies that you didn't even read the article, but only the title or, at most, the OP.

Ah, of course... So now your sole criticism is not that Obama just talked about one issue. Merely that I didn't read a line of the article?

Okay, so what is your point?

Also consider, why include 'talking' of Georgia but nothing else?
 
And Georgia was the testing ground... "Can we asshammer a democracy that was a former Soviet state and get away with it?"

To quote a campaign slogan, YES WE CAN!

It was Bush who offered cute but meaningless assurances to Georgia and encouraged them to stand up to Russia. Putin has his hands full with what he's got, don't look for him to begin trying to conquer his neighbors.
 
Ah, of course... So now your sole criticism is not that Obama just talked about one issue. Merely that I didn't read a line of the article?

Okay, so what is your point?

I did write two sentences, you know

Also consider, why include 'talking' of Georgia but nothing else?

Because it's an article about the treaty, not Reuter's Meeting Minutes. They mention other issues discussed in passing rather than posting an exhaustive list
 
I find the whole "mending fences with Russia" thing leaves a bad taste in my mouth as long as its an oligarchy with Putin still holding the strings behind a very thin curtain.

IMO, while the U.S. can and should disagree with numerous Russian policies that run counter to American preferences, the reality is that Russia is a major geopolitical player. The bilateral relationship is of strategic importance to both countries. It is to the United States' and Russia's benefit to have an effective relationship that allows the two countries to cooperate in areas of mutual interest i.e., Iran, North Korea, nuclear proliferation, Afghanistan, etc., and to find ways to respect one another's critical interests so as to minimize the risk of a dangerous confrontation that leads to a new relationship based on hostile rivalry.
 
So wait, Obama is supposed to be a 'modern' President, but all he can think of is a conflict from the 20th Century? He all but has 'detente' written on his forehead, why?

He goes to Russia, doesn't talk about Iran or North Korea or Georgia or gas supplies to the European Union - no mention of these modern conflicts. Instead we're talking of, what, SALT III? In return for, what, airspace? This sounds like a page from my book on the Cold War... What a wasted opportunity.

How about next time we talk about Russia as it was Russia, not the Soviet Union?


You’ve made a point. But I think I misunderstand you because you loose and abandon your point further on.

Indeed, SALT is Cold War thinking. It has been carried on from the past and does not represent the modern situation. As it has been and as does not, Russia loads it with conditions of the modern situation, - not quite expected by Obama, - with the missile defense system in former Soviet satellites and human shields and now in present Western satellites and human shields. Thus Obama has no choice. It is well known that he cannot think. So he says ‘’we will think later’’ or in other word ‘’I have to be told what to do, what to say’’. Russians say ‘’it is cool, let’s sign a statement that we have a total agreement……… to talk about it later… hopefully by the time SALT II expires you will get back to us with what they’d tell you to say’’. Obama grasp on the straw because he knows he will be represented by the Western media as achieving an agreement with Russians. Russia moves, Russia scores. 1:0.

Obama has made Russians to allow the air transportation for free. This is how it is represented. Well, then what, do we have to give something in exchange? Please somebody answer the question. Would it be fair not to give anything in exchange? It is like Russians have to say – “ we give you things for free… and you only are going to ask for more? Is it like it is supposed to work in international relations? ’’ Please somebody answer the question.
In English it is to kill 2 birds with 1 stone. In Russian it is to kill 2 rabbits with 1 shot. Russia should pay to the US for fighting Muslims in Afgan. Defeat of Muslim in Afgan is a vital interest of Russia. So Russia makes the US to work for Russia and to do it for free and Russia makes the US to be thankful to Russia for letting the US do the work for Russia. Russia moves, Russia scores. 3:0.

One of the main life tasks of Obama is to follow instructions. The instructions tell him to put a wedge between Putin and Medvedev. So he says that Medvedev has a better vision and Putin ‘’has one foot in the Cold war’’. He “mistakenly’’ calls Putin “President of Russia’” and then “hastily corrects himself”. Yawning Putin and Medevedev play along. Putin leaves Moscow at the time of the medvedev –Obama meeting etc. Russia moves, Russia scores. 4:0.

It is getting sick. Obama has not done anything different from the previous administration. Russia moves, Russia scores…. yawning.

Obama is a tall fit man. If he stretches his hand Putin and Medvedev can walk under it. That gives him such an impression of superiority that he cannot even realize what just has happened.
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNp5wg1o1rk&feature=related"]YouTube - Russian Omon vs Swat[/ame]
America, wake up! Wake up and pull out these sticks of liberalism inserted in your brains by the KGB in times of the Cold War! Just be yourself and look at real life! Let your inner being go! It will do no wrong! Because God is; and he has created you in his image. Once, in response to the KGB we announced us to be united under God. United we stand. Divided we fall. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gELhNbDcLE0"]YouTube - Hey You - Pink Floyd Music Video[/ame]
 
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Sure, like Russia will EVER stop trying to outduel us militarily.

Liberals will believe anything. Thanks, Obama.
 
It still amazes me that the conservatives think the answer to everything is conflict. To just decimate the person that doesn't agree with your view. That is NOT how international politics work, seeing as Bush failed at foreign relations.

Obama is just making the Russians happy. We could cut our nuclear stockpile by half and still destroy them in minutes. We achieved what we wanted. Airspace control into Afghanistan. Mission Accomplished.

I have no doubt in my mind that Obama really wasn't going to Russia to make sure a nuclear deal was cut. He wanted another route into Afghanistan. And he got it. Russia will always think its a competition and try to overpower us, but the US has already demonstrated that the only thing that can beat us is women with bombs strapped to them.

So 'Let bygones be bygones', we got what we wanted, and Russia thinks they got what they wanted. Reassurance.
 
It still amazes me that the conservatives think the answer to everything is conflict. To just decimate the person that doesn't agree with your view. That is NOT how international politics work, seeing as Bush failed at foreign relations.

No, the way diplomacy works, is that you start out by letting your opponent know that you're ready for conflict and ask them if they wanna do things the hard way, or the easy way. I'm afraid PBO has done the opposite. He's made it very plain that he is afraid of getting into a fracus.



So 'Let bygones be bygones', we got what we wanted, and Russia thinks they got what they wanted. Reassurance.

"Trust, but verify", something I'm sure PBO isn't going to do. He probably thinks he secured, "Peace in our time".
 
Obama is just making the Russians happy.

That’s why he is a sick man and it is sickening to watch him. It is not what a POTUS should be making.


I have no doubt in my mind that Obama really wasn't going to Russia to make sure a nuclear deal was cut. He wanted another route into Afghanistan. And he got it. Russia will always think its a competition and try to overpower us

You and Obama are exactly war mongers having both feet in the Cold War.
Russia will be dismantling a good part of its nukes deal or no deal. Many of them are outdated and expiring. But you and Obama still will be thinking about a competition and overpowering. Maniacs of Obama type do not see reality, like atheists do not see evidence of God. Russian military in a very bad shape, and Russia, -now, - in front of you, - before your eyes, - is cutting its armor park 20 times down. And it is not a mere reorganization. Right in front of you they are completely changing the military doctrine developed by one of most outstanding military minds [ame=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boris_Shaposhnikov]Boris Shaposhnikov - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame] and accepted and installed by Stalin and carried on until Putin times. That is so gross, that is so big, that one has to be a total liberal in order not to see it and keep on carrying the ideas of democracy and Human Rights to nations with a full feeling of Messiahnism. Anyone who has an ability to think can see who is the vicious aggressor in the US+the West vs. Russia stand off, who keeps on following the old doctrine.

So 'Let bygones be bygones', we got what we wanted, and Russia thinks they got what they wanted. Reassurance.

Obama thinks for Americans and you think for Russians. Can you at least speak Russian? It has been noticed that supporters of Obama are so easy to though knives at …. if one has time. It has been noticed that supporters of Obama don’t change their mind even if the facts are so gross and big and right in front of their eyes.

America, wake up.

I know what Russians think, it happens on the level of Putin changing tones from a tone of street fighter to a tone of a middle school teacher, it is understanding of his rough and slangy military quarters humor which cannot be even translated, or I would not be able even to try.


Auto translation:

‘’Deputy Head of the Government told the journalists that during the meeting, Putin said more, but the course of conversation initiated Obama, who has asked the premier to tell about their experiences of collaboration with George Bush.’’
"Vladimir Vladimirovich, in its traditional manner to explained a few things using jokes, to which Obama responded appropriately ... We had the distinct impression that what was helpful to the president and will be taken into account in real politics," - said Ushakov.
No, Russians do not think they got what they wanted.

‘’After the death of Mohandas Gandhi there has been nobody one can have a conversation with,’’ – joked Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin.


And yes, Russians got reassurance.

the course of conversation initiated Obama, who has asked the premier to tell about their experiences of collaboration with George Bush

the course of conversation initiated Obama, who has asked the premier to tell about their experiences of collaboration with George Bush

the course of conversation initiated Obama, who has asked the premier to tell about their experiences of collaboration with George Bush

When I use jokes even Tucker Case sometimes cannot figure out where is humor and where is insult.

Russians got reassurance that they face the man who has no honor, no moral principals and no brain, - the course of conversation initiated Obama, who has asked the premier to tell about their experiences of collaboration with George Bush -
and that is NOT what they wanted. They wanted somebody to have a conversation with, so that Putin wouldn’t have to employ his traditional manner and/or the softy tone of a middle school teacher. Instead they got a piece of crap, a maniac to deal with. It is like one would reply to a liberal on DP and still would hope to have a conversation….

When I have to face what Russians think, I spin on my chair in disbelief and shame and anger. A President can do mistakes, he may do big mistakes, he may fail and be impeached like Clinton, but he should be able to raise that pointing finger and say like a POTUS - ‘I never had sex with this woman!’. But the President of the United States can never initiate a conversation, asking the prime minister of Russia to tell about his experiences of working with George Bush, the President of the United States. He just cannot be a piece of crap giggling at Putin’s jokes.

People of the United States, wake up, it is the first time in our history we have no President of the United States, we have a joke instead. And the most painful part of it is that we have a joke made by a prime minister of another country. I don’t know how any true American can live with that.
 
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You prefer a nuclear standoff?

Yes. Since there was nothing wrong with the fence, what exactly are they "mending"?

Is Russia going to stop helping Iran build nuclear weapons? Nope.

Is Russia going to restore those parts of Georgia? Nope.

Is Russia going to stop playing gas pipeline blackmail with Europe? Nope.

So what was gained by the latest in your Messiah's Apology Tours? Nothing but Messianic lip prints on Russian butts, and I'm not talking about their cigarettes.

Is there some urgent pressing reason the Kenyan National president was out of the country on Fourth of July Weekend? Nope, no reason at all it couldn't have waited.
 
You prefer a nuclear standoff?

I prefer to be practical. Lessening the arsenol does nothing but pamper the morons of the earth who see it as something other than what it is. With North Korea waving nukes and Iran soon to get them, nuclear standoffs is the future as more and more develop them (or buy them). This future will not be denied simply because America and Russia dropped their nuclear count to numbers that can destroy the earth only 10 times over rather than 15.

It's a pointless act.
 
When I have to face what Russians think, I spin on my chair in disbelief and shame and anger. A President can do mistakes, he may do big mistakes, he may fail and be impeached like Clinton, but he should be able to raise that pointing finger and say like a POTUS - ‘I never had sex with this woman!’. But the President of the United States can never initiate a conversation, asking the prime minister of Russia to tell about his experiences of working with George Bush, the President of the United States. He just cannot be a piece of crap giggling at Putin’s jokes.

People of the United States, wake up, it is the first time in our history we have no President of the United States, we have a joke instead. And the most painful part of it is that we have a joke made by a prime minister of another country. I don’t know how any true American can live with that.


Question:

What about the disaster known on the Left as President Carter? It's my understanding that he made them almost as nervous as he made the Americans.
 
I prefer to be practical. Lessening the arsenol does nothing but pamper the morons of the earth who see it as something other than what it is. With North Korea waving nukes and Iran soon to get them, nuclear standoffs is the future as more and more develop them (or buy them). This future will not be denied simply because America and Russia dropped their nuclear count to numbers that can destroy the earth only 10 times over rather than 15.

It's a pointless act.

Worse.

It makes them want more of the same.
 
It still amazes me that the conservatives think the answer to everything is conflict. To just decimate the person that doesn't agree with your view.


So Conservatives think the answer to everything is conflict and Liberals think the answer to everything is a hug? Let me guess...the part about the Liberals offend you slightly. Perhaps Conservatives and Liberals believe in the same things only they choose to show their support for the same things depending on who sits in the White House.

And international diplomacy? Just a way of saying that you are willing to deface your values for the easier path. How many dictators received our support during the Cold War thanks to good old fashion "diplomacy?" How many people on this earth suffer while the powerful sit back on their high horses and pulpits discussing matters of diplomacy? I loathe the word when used as a means to turn away or to appease tyrants and twisted regimes that strong arm those around them simply to continue a pretended status of power.
 
It was Bush who offered cute but meaningless assurances to Georgia and encouraged them to stand up to Russia. Putin has his hands full with what he's got, don't look for him to begin trying to conquer his neighbors.


No.

We don't have to look for that. He already began it.
 
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