[Sigaba]

Originally Posted by Dusty

How Reaganesque.

Is it your position that

• the Reagan administration never took a step back to collect and to consider additional information,
• the U.S., during Reagan's presidency, did not shift its geostrategic priorities as circumstances change, or that
• Reagan, throughout his political life, wanted America to be strong just for the sake of being strong.

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Originally Posted by The Reaper

The Russians, as did the Soviets, can be counted upon to act in their own self-interest and normally, in what they view as counterbalance to our own actions.

They are claiming, IMHO falsely, the our defense system is targeting their strike capability. I am not sure how a couple of dozen interceptors are supposed to be a threat to several thousand warheads.

Maybe it is because if they had it, they would try and build a total defensive system out of it against our missiles.

We both had a negotiated anti-ballistic missile program back in the 60s and 70s (see Safeguard), we chose not to build ours, but the Soviets did.

I think they are perceiving ill-intent when there is none, and are trying to gain advantage from the weakness of our leadership, which is more than willing to give away the goods.

I guess some called Chamberlain's actions diplomacy as well.

And what of value would we be getting in return? Another Nobel prize?

And IMHO, the Russians can ill-afford an arms race, if they choose to pursue one.

TR

Rhetorically...

• Is Russia's assessment of America based upon intent alone or do America's capabilities play a role in its deliberations?
• Is the calculation of Russia's interests based upon geopolitics alone or do the personal, economic, and political interests of its leaders influence its conduct in world affairs?
• Have Russian autocrats never used a brewing rivalry abroad to deflect attention from domestic ills and political scandal at home?
• Could Russia afford its policies that called for expanded influence in Asia at the turn of the last century or the war with Japan that followed?

MOO, if the United States can handle the discussion of missile defense deftly (a big "if" given the skill set of the incumbent president) what might be gained is Russia not going out of its way to counter American influence in the Middle East and East Asia just because.

My $0.02.