COLLECTIVE MADNESS


“Soft despotism is a term coined by Alexis de Tocqueville describing the state into which a country overrun by "a network of small complicated rules" might degrade. Soft despotism is different from despotism (also called 'hard despotism') in the sense that it is not obvious to the people."

Sunday, October 01, 2006

The Imminent Watershed on Missile Defense. Russians to Respond.


Novosti provides some very interesting reading on current Russian military programs which include articles on the new (refurbished) Russian air carrier, the next generation of Russian submarines, and some unintended irony about a new Russian deep sea rescue vehicle.

The article on missile defense gives some insight into current Russian thinking, strategy and response to SDI.

The first is that the Russians expect that it will work:
"So should the December test be a success, the program will have no other option but to deploy ground- and space-based elements in full. It is also clear that this will put an end to haranguing about the future of missile defense, and set the ball rolling for opposition to the American initiative."
Secondly, they have begun significant counter methods to frustrate the capabilities of the American defense system:

"At the end of last year Yury Solomonov, director-general of one of Russia's key defense plants - the Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology - said that new Russian missile and nuclear systems would provide an adequate response to the American anti-missile program and the resultant deployment of ground-based anti-missile weapons in Eastern Europe and of strike systems in outer space.""I can say with full responsibility that everything being done in the world in this area was taken care of in advance when we developed our Topol-M (SS-27) and Bulava missile systems. The Topol-M design incorporates some entirely novel ideas. They have increased its survivability tenfold. For the next ten years it will have no rivals. The missile has a uniquely short boost phase, which rules out its interception when the engine is firing," he said."


Third, they have and discuss plans for future measures:


"At the end of September, Vladimir Belous, leading researcher with the Center for International Security at the Russian Academy of Sciences, said Russia intended to thoroughly modernize its strategic missiles. "Russia's first step in producing an asymmetric response to the deployment of an American anti-missile system near its borders will be to shorten the boost phase of the missile when its engines are firing full blast and giving off a lot of heat," he told journalists. At present, he said, the boost phase lasts about 5 minutes. "It is enough to spot a missile launch from space, which takes 45 to 50 seconds. Experts estimate that if the burning time is cut to 130 seconds the possibility of kinetic interceptors hitting the missile will be reduced to a minimum," he said."

Finally, they have a brief look at the politics and strategic implications:

"All that fills one with pride for the Russian armed forces, but doesn't it amount to a fresh spiral in a missile-nuclear buildup with all ensuing military, political and economic consequences, plus preventive techniques? Besides, many other countries in addition to Russia are not elated about the American missile system. China, for example. The American program simply wipes out the Chinese potential. Looming behind China is the nuclear India. It is not inconceivable that the Chinese leadership, like the U.S.S.R. in its day, and to a certain extent Russia now, may take the road of building up its nuclear forces by massively deploying multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles. If this is not a potential full-scale nuclear arms race, what else is it? And who is interested in it?"

The Russians love that little ironic ending; it is all about us.

27 comments:

  1. And golly gee, from the Japan Times

    Sunday, Oct. 1, 2006

    "Missile defense gear unloaded in Okinawa
    NAHA, Okinawa Pref. (Kyodo) The first batch of equipment for an advanced surface-to-air missile defense system arrived Saturday in Okinawa, with the system scheduled to go partially online later this year at the U.S. Kadena Air Base and the U.S. Air Force's Kadena Ammunition Storage Area, the U.S. military said.

    The Patriot Advanced Capability-3 interceptor system itself is scheduled to be delivered within two weeks to a U.S. military facility in Uruma, Okinawa Prefecture."

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  2. The Russians seem to second Abracadbra's UN speech.
    "... If this is not a potential full-scale nuclear arms race, what else is it? And who is interested in it?" ..."

    An echo in the room.

    That, along with Abracadbra's reference to "Catch & Release" as a way for US to extend the Iraqi War.
    The Russian statement puts him in the vanguard of the Russians and most of the Democrats. Abracadbra leads the way.

    Foley fallout continues, listening to the drums beat on FOX. Who knew what, when? The questions have just begun.
    Let's just slip off your shirt, and shorts, little boy.

    Wretchard has posted an e-mail he thinks is from Mr Yon, seems that the Military is going into blackout drive mode. To much light on the subject, Mr Yon suspects.

    W thinks it is a really bad omen, if true.
    Who ya gonna call?

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  3. What was Foley saying when Clinton got caught with Monica? that will tell more than all his emails.

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  4. This from 23 May 03 in Salon, when Mr Foley was comtemplating a run for the US Senate.
    "... What of the inevitable questions that will come from Democratic attack dogs regarding what they would characterize as the intrusive nature of Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr's investigation and the impeachment proceedings against President Clinton? Foley, after all, voted in favor of two of the four articles of impeachment.

    From '98, in the Milwaukee Jouranal Sentinal

    "... Fence-sitting members of Congress argued Monday that it was not illogical to demand that President Clinton admit to an impeachable offense to win their votes against impeachment.

    "I look at it much like a defendant in a court trial," Rep. Mark Foley (R-Fla.) said.

    If the accused criminal admits his guilt and asks for forgiveness, the judge can impose less than the maximum penalty, Foley said. If the defendant remains unrepentant and refuses to concede the wrongdoing, the judge can hand out a stiffer sentence. "It happens every day in a courtroom setting," said Foley, who is among more than three dozen undeclared members from both parties. ..."

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  5. Rep. Mark Foley (R-FL) – "The chief executive has the duty and the obligation to be completely honest." [Sun-Sentinel, 12/19/98]

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  6. Whether one wants to dismiss Mr Woodward, or not, this article in the NYTimes does illustrate where the direction of the "War Debate" is moving.
    Management foul ups bring on a
    "State of Denial"

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  7. Rufus, I do not understand that either regarding MY.

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  8. Create a buzz about it?

    Stir up interest so that it takes on a life of it's own?

    Deniability?

    The first shot in a larger campaign?

    Any number of marketing or propaganda reasons.

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  9. The next post at BC talks about the non-story of yesterday in Iraq. It seems the whole thing was about an AQ threat and not a move by Sadr. There is too much of that going on over there these days about conspiracies and things that could happen but often do not.

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  10. His silence is "golden"

    When he finally speaks on the issue again, you are prepped for the subject

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  11. If the issue is violence on the cell block, lock 'em down.

    They should have been doing this for the past three years, the question is why they did not, not why they finally did.

    During each Election, attacks fell off the bottom of the chart. Why? They had locked the cities down. No vehicle traffic. Yesterday, no foot traffic either.

    Security brings stability.
    Stability is Victory.

    Ask Mr Kissinger.

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  12. Over 1 million vehicles have been imported to Iraq, post Saddam.
    Those vehicles are, in part, a reason for Insurgent success.
    Increased mobility amongst the population makes Security more difficlt. Decreasing Stability.

    Cars are a peace time luxury, not a "right" during a War.

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  13. But the people of Iraq are not involved in a War.
    Whose fault is that?

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  14. FOX talking head, Senator Riegle, calling the Republican House committed to a Culture of Corruption, exemplified by the Foley "coverup".

    '94 redux, but instead of the House Post Office, the Democrats have O'Rieley's "pet" cause, PEDOPHILES. to exploit.

    So very much better than kiting checks for a smear campaign.

    When did you know Mr Foley was a PEDOPHILE, and why did you not inform the Ranking Member?
    The children...
    You did not protect the children!
    Why?

    Mr O'Rieley has been putting this issue, PEDOPHILES, Front and Center on his popular "rightwing" FOX Cable show, the Factor.

    This Foley story has got real legs, general disgust may be keepin' many Republicans at home come Nov.

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  15. Ex-Rep Foley was just trying to get behind the "No Child Left Behind" project.

    Cheeky rascal.

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  16. There ought to be one day-- just one-- when there is open season on senators.
    Will Rogers

    You can't say that civilization don't advance, however, for in every war they kill you in a new way.
    Will Rogers

    You know everybody is ignorant, only on different subjects.
    Will Rogers

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  17. What do you have for us today whit?

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  18. That Foley nonsense just confirms what everyone believes about politicians. Mostly self indulgent phonies that think only about themselves. This guy had no regard for his family or party. A big blow for the Republicans. Totally unnecessary. Put him in the same camp with that dope Allen.

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  19. Clash of Civilizations
    But the conflict between the two cultures never fully abated. Throughout the 20th century, Western countries tussled with Islamic states or their non-state proxies. And, as columnist Mark Steyn points out, when you gaze at conflicts around the globe today, the one constant is Islam. Muslims are fighting, or have recently fought, Jews in the Mideast, Hindus in Kashmir, Christians in Nigeria, atheists in Russia, Buddhists in Thailand and Burma, Catholics in the Philippines, and Orthodox Christians in the Balkans.

    Never Abated

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  20. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  21. Habu, last night when I signed off, I watched the HBO special on 911. Then this morning I see the smiling faces of what look to be normal young men, good looking intelligent guys. The cult of Islam is more of a disease than a religion.

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  22. I don't know about whit, but steve at Threatswatch says that our moderate Arabs allies & Israel are lining up against allowing representitives of Hamas hold authority in Palistine.

    The Democracy Project supporters are adament, the voters Will be Done.
    Regardless of short term outcome.

    Does the US now stay with our Allies or stand on the principles of the Bush Doctrine. Democratization?

    That Threatswatch

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  23. The good looking guys were two of the 19 suicide squad. My point is they have to give up the cult if they want to be part of the West.

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  24. No more likely than two GIs giving up on the US, to emigrate to Pakistan.

    It is true that some US citizens may join the other side and while it is also true that many Muslims are not Jihadi Mohammedans and covet the "Western Ways", those that are committed Warriors will not waiver in their course.

    The head games required to mold a willing mind of mush into a committed radical are not State secrets.

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  25. Who is to control Kurdish oil, and protect it from sabotage?

    Kurdish Oil

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  26. 2164....it's a diseased philosophy and FINALLY some nations in Europe are figuring out the drill ...of course yaking 1300 years to figure out the drill is a mighty slow learning curve.

    All the Islamic population in Europe is driven by two things. European socialism and their laziness to work, thus importing cheap labor and their guilt and payback for their colonialism.

    But they've got to get past both of those if they're going to save their cultures fo rthe demographic tide will turn Europe Islamic by democratic means in less than two generations.

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