tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19508699.post573616611360106584..comments2024-03-13T18:55:49.391+00:00Comments on Energy Balance: Shadow of Nuclear War Returns to Europe.Professor Chris Rhodeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12060542089215379056noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19508699.post-7025648392787549572007-06-11T14:48:00.000+01:002007-06-11T14:48:00.000+01:00That's an interesting thought Dezakin. I expect yo...That's an interesting thought Dezakin. I expect you are right! Probably it is "money" (contracts etc.) that lies behind all of this - it usually does on some level!<BR/><BR/>Thanks, Chris.Professor Chris Rhodeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12060542089215379056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19508699.post-91024643008653228482007-06-08T15:33:00.000+01:002007-06-08T15:33:00.000+01:00I have no idea what the motivations are for buildi...I have no idea what the motivations are for building interceptors whatsoever. They're trivially easy to defeat with easy countermeasures and they cause international political tension. I suspect the real reason for missile defense is some corrupt conflict of interest with politicians indirectly controlling shares in companies with the contracts.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04635514928258113448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19508699.post-46124712415170561892007-06-08T07:37:00.000+01:002007-06-08T07:37:00.000+01:00You are right, and it was largely this kind of mat...You are right, and it was largely this kind of matching of force that brought down the Soviet Union. It was spending 60% of its GDP on "defense/space" etc. and Gorbachev realised they couldn't continue that way.<BR/><BR/>Probably there is nothing more "deep" to it than this, but political mileage is being made out of it. There are a number of "differences" between Putin and Europe that need sorting-out. Chechnya is a sensitive issue, for example. There is also the fall-out over the "polonium poisoning incident" in London!<BR/><BR/>I know the UK are revamping their nuclear arsenal (as are Russia and the US), and in the present climate all nations will look to their defenses more generally.<BR/><BR/>But why do you think Bush wants to build his missile interceptors just now? There may be nothing deep but I am always suspicious of the motives and timing of politicians! Is there something around the corner that has not been broadcast?Professor Chris Rhodeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12060542089215379056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19508699.post-83854453855446909802007-06-07T18:24:00.000+01:002007-06-07T18:24:00.000+01:00This is just geopolitical strategic positioning. I...This is just geopolitical strategic positioning. If the US decides to waste billions on missile interceptors, Russia must maintain strategic deterrant; Theres nothing more deep into this than that.<BR/><BR/>This is true of France, China, and Britain as well, and I'm sure there are French plans for decoys and the like for foiling interceptor systems.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04635514928258113448noreply@blogger.com