Comments for Obama In Russia--A Summit Of Limited Expectations »
Posted By Mikunited 5 months, 2 weeks ago in Political NewsRussia will provide the first major test of President Barack Obama's diplomatic skills, writes Jonathan Marcus
Read Full Story at news.bbc.co.uk »
RSS Join the Discussion
+ Add CommentComments So Far: 20
-
-
-
50%
Mikunited5 months, 2 weeks ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
I hope Obama and Putin/Medvedev,put the shadow of cold war politics, to one side and create better relations.
Reply
In some ways,this is Obama's first challenging bit of overseas diplomacy.I think that despite the in depth analysis,by "Rayganye",Obama will do quite well.A World where the USA and Russia have a better relationship,can only be good news for us all.-
0%
BB645 months, 2 weeks ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
Obama do well? He acts and sounds like one of the old Soviet Premiers......
Reply
He's planning on dumping a weapon system or two along with a lot of our defensive weapons. I'm betting we'll give up any of the anti-missile systems, several nuke boats and a few carrier groups. He's scrubbed the F22 and trying to targeting the F35. Putin will be dictating to him and he will be following along like a lackey. He's in way over his head. Putin will "eat him up."-
Neutral
sinophil495 months, 2 weeks ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
BB - "He's planning on dumping a weapon system or two along with a lot of our defensive weapons. I'm betting we'll give up any of the anti-missile systems, several nuke boats and a few carrier groups."
Reply
Oh, I see you were in the White House sitting in on the Cabinet and Joint Chiefs of Staff meetings. Tell me what color tie Obama was wearing. Did Hillary have her done differently?
Read the article. It clearly says that the White House is "already signalling that there will be no formal reassurances or trading with Russia on missile defence or Nato expansion." And that Obama does not consider Russia to be the biggest foreign policy problem facing the US right now.
So basically the article says that Obama is planning to give up nothing. The best result that can be hoped for is a rapprochement or a degree of amity to build on for future agreements. Russia is dealing from a military disadvantage and can put no real pressure on the US for significant arms reduction at present.
Furthermore, why are you prejudging Obama before any meetings have even taken place?
With Bush and the illegal Iraq invasion, we at least gave Bush the benefit of the doubt at the beginning about the WMD evidence and the collusion with al Qaeda. That is until we found out that the evidence was all a pile of lies, misinterpretations, and fabrications. BUT WE GAVE HIM THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT.
You guys do not have the patience, good grace, or the politesse to see what Obama does first before launching your idiotic criticisms.
-
-
-
67%
calitennflo5 months, 2 weeks ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
It's like living Saturday night live, and in the Russian Chapter...with mister Oboma instead of mr Bill who no-one knew what sex"it" was. And we would probably see Oboma with his grand wizard costume on...doing bad stuff after returning from a commercial. LOL
Reply -
beavis617bComment removed: Retracted by user
-
-
-
-
-
-
50%
coolslow5 months, 2 weeks ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
Once again Obama has established the false choice and the wrong paradigm. He wants to talk nuclear and nuclear weapons reduction. Well, that's good, but in the first place, the Russians have an aging nuclear arsenal that they can't afford to maintain and upgrade. So, they are glad to have another bargaining chip ( arms reduction)that will allow them to do what they want and act like they are giving Obama something. In the second place, they have had nukes for 60 years. We know how to live with that. If Obama wants to focus on a nuclear threat, he better start thinking about Iran and N. Korea, and enlist Rudssian help there.
Reply
Russia is not a power to be trifled with. They are a huge land mass, have untold mineral wealth (not just oil and gas), a population of 140 million, a permanent seat on the UN, and a magnificent historical and cultural legacy that has influenced the world. They have historic ties to the Middle East, Africa, India and China. The 10th largest economy, and 15% Musliom population. They need to be integrated into the global economic system. In spite of their reach they stand somewhat alone not integrated into NAFTA, the EU, or the Asia Pacific Rim trading powers. Historically they are threatened by Europe and Asia. The issue is to get them to give up designs on Georgia and Ukraine, and help in Iran and N. Korea in exchange for recognition and integration into the global economy.
I'm afraid that Obama doesn't have a clue about all this.-
0%
BB645 months, 2 weeks ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
You're correct with one minor adjustment. The population, while large is rather restrictive. They've had a rather substantial decline in people between the ages of 25 and 40. Some are a result of the breakup of the USSR others are caused by a decrease in people having families. Russia is still Russia so supplying weapons to people unfriendly to the USA will continue and they continue to build subs and other offensive weapons. They're a big country with huge resources, but they're starting to import workers to do the actual work.
Reply -
Neutral
sinophil495 months, 2 weeks ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
coolslow - You obviously have not learned to read well yet. The article clearly says that Obama is prepared to walk away with nothing. This meeting is primarily a get-to-know-you meeting. Russia is NOT the primary foreign policy concern of the White House.
Reply
Nuclear arms reduction is highly desirable, but not essential at this early stage of Obama's terms. Russia is clearly more anxious to get the deal because it sees this as a means of achieving military parity with the US.
So you have it exactly the opposite. Russia clearly needs to avoid underestimating Obama. They really want (and probably need) an arms reduction treaty. Obama would like to have one, but is prepared to not have one right now.
-
loading ...
Add a Comment
Sign In With Your Propeller Account
Please keep your comments relevant to this story.
To create a live link, simply type the URL (including http://) or email address and we will make it a live link for you. You can put up to 3 URLs in your comments. Line breaks and paragraphs are automatically converted — no need to use <p> or <br /> tags.