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Missile Defense

Russian military leaders have expressed concern about US plans for a national missile defense system. Will defense technology be limited by possibilities for a strategic imbalance? Is this just SDI all over again?

almarst-2001 - 03:20pm Mar 23, 2001 EST (#1389 of 1391)

"One thing is that Russians, and Russian dealings, often look ugly to American eyes. It seems to me that Russian dealings often look ugly in RUSSIAN eyes, as well, and for good reasons."

Very true. But, I think, that mostly relates to the Post-cold War era. There wasn't that many deals with Russia during the Cold War, was it?

"It seems to me that the best thing you can do for you status in America, and elsewhere, is to improve the aesthetic performance of Russia -- by RUSSIAN standards. Find ways to make YOUR OWN society work well, by your own standards."

Agree completely. The problem is, the Russia still didn't find the socio-economic and political system which works well for them. They traded the rule by apparatchics to the rule by gangsters.

I don't see the US-Russian competition in any areas other then arms-sale. Even there, the markets are quite predefined.

I believe Americans are tolerant or rather mostly well-behavied and "politically correct".

"Americans don't like Russians, in large part, because dealing with Russians is unpleasant for Americans -- we don't know how to communcate at the level that complex cooperation takes. When we think we have a meeting of the minds, we find we don't, or feel that you haven't kept your word (which we may well have misunderstood.) "

Keeping the word is not a strong Russian side, particularelly in casual matters. They have never experienced the pragmatic and efficient business environment. But I don't think Americans had a chance to learn that during the Cold War.

almarst-2001 - 03:27pm Mar 23, 2001 EST (#1390 of 1391)

Robert,

As I said, you mostly right about bad or different Russian habbits the Americans dislike. But isn't it true in relation to most other non-European culture nations? Even in Europe, there is strijing difference between for example, Sweeden and Greece or Italy. And, may be, compared to Southern Europe, the Russia doesn't look much worst.

almarst-2001 - 03:32pm Mar 23, 2001 EST (#1391 of 1391)

lunarchick 3/23/01 2:43pm

"So within the USA population there are no doubt diverse and skeptical viewpoints. Overall on Russian in C20, there would be a view that the people overthrew the monarchy to be done over by the Communist System, to then be done over by the post Communist System ---- "

In C20 most of Europe went thru several upheavals and disasters, including two world wars, several regional wars, revolutions and contr-revolutions, dictatorships and nacizm. Russia was not unique in that sense.

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