Sure hope Oleg gets with the program

[Falke]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but those "defensive" missles are aimed at knocking out missles (with possible nukes) that could be launched from Iran. They are, according to the information I've seen via several differant news sources, both American and European, the best and most effective place to put them.

Russia, specifically Putin, didn't/doesn't like the idea at all. The US tried to work out a comprimise by putting out the idea that they be placed on Russian territory and manned by both Russians and Americans. Putin still didn't like the idea.

As for the comment inferring that Europe doesn't need or want the protection, fine. Notify your governments and tell them to ask the US to take them off the list of "protected" countries. I'm sure the US will be happy to let the missles headed towards you to go on by.

As for sabre rattleing. Russian, thanks in part to its blooming status as an oil producer, has been doing a lot of sabre rattling lately. Putin, who is if you'll remember is X-KGB, and he has not made it a secret of the fact that he wants Russia's military to become a world force again. As prove, Russian aircraft have been making some provocative, close to the border flights near several countries, ending with their aircraft being "escorted" back into international airspace. It looks as though he wants things to be back to the way they were in the "old cold war days." Always probing testing etc.

Personally, I have no problem with that. Every country needs a strong military becuase hey, you never know.

Meanwhile, Putin doesn't seem to want to loose his grip on power. I don't know all the details, and I could be wrong at tleast partially, but the way I understand it, his term expires soon thanks to the new consitution (if thats the right term) and he plans on putting some in his place who is "friendly" to him so he'll still be able to "pull the strings" so to speak and keep his grip on power ensuring that things "go his way".