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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 - 01:04pm Mar 29, 2001 EST (#1705 of 1732)

dirac_10 3/29/01 12:52pm

"They are going to join the rest of Europe in peace and prosperity. Rejoice. Get over it. "

Its pretty hard to argue with someone having so different view on MORALITY. If morality is somthing you are ever considering.

rshowalter - 01:17pm Mar 29, 2001 EST (#1706 of 1732)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

Sometimes relations of mutual consistency dictate a lot -- so that people have much in common.

There is a tradition, and sometimes Dirac and others connected to nuclear weapons take this position, that denies any morality at all in the affairs of nation states, or where nuclear weapons are concerned.

Russians have heard a great deal of this astounding argument in the nuclear arms talks over the years. I'm ashamed of the United States for having representatives who have made and make the argument.

But most people do not deny morality, and cannot do so and live in functional societies.

The facts of the case here, considering nuclear threats and policies since the early 1990's especially, would, I believe have only a tiny number of defenders in the whole world. If the facts were set out clearly and completely.

rshowalter - 01:22pm Mar 29, 2001 EST (#1707 of 1732)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

That setting out would take staff work, and the work could best be done involving journalists and others, on an international basis. The US, UK, France, Germany, and Russia might have people involved. With the internet, this sort of collaboration is feasable, and everything can be open -- so that no one can claim underhandedness or bias --- people with objections only have to have to courage to speak up.

(That's true of this forum, as well.)

rshowalter - 01:23pm Mar 29, 2001 EST (#1708 of 1732)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

And other nations as well ! China, India, Pakistan, and Israel would be especially welcome.

rshowalter - 01:25pm Mar 29, 2001 EST (#1709 of 1732)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

rshowalter 2/17/01 2:20pm

almarst-2001 - 01:27pm Mar 29, 2001 EST (#1710 of 1732)

Black gold fuels Caspian competition - http://www.washtimes.com/world/default-200132822844.htm

rshowalter - 01:42pm Mar 29, 2001 EST (#1711 of 1732)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

Be careful. Be honorable. Make sure you can meet both the practical and emotional needs of partners.

Everything one can say about reliability, including the importance of a rule of law, applies.

You might have some reason for exploratory talks with a major oil company -- not necessarily US based, but possibly US based, so that you can assure Iran that you have the highest possible engineering quality, and execution quality, in the deals you propose. ExxonMobil might be one to think about. Among others.

In such a situation, the entire world has an interest in truth , because a deal that makes sense to all concerned is stable, and humanly workable. One based on underhanded dealings, if the splits are very unfair, make for bad relations.

rshowalter - 01:43pm Mar 29, 2001 EST (#1712 of 1732)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

If you feel that European or American news is biased -- it may be. There are ways to deal with that, to a limited but real degree, within the system.

rshowalter - 02:58pm Mar 29, 2001 EST (#1713 of 1732)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

If I were Russia, I'd find myself a banker I could trust -- a big one -- maybe Soros, or someone he knows -- and get some help from a big oil company (talk to at least four or five different ones) and make sure you've got competent chemical engineers on your team.

If you believe that US military and foreign policy is being manipulated to serve oil interests -- maybe so, but you'll have to make that case.

Here's a fact -- there are a good number of oil companies with fine technical expertise and there are a number of good engineering firms, too. They compete with each other.

Read the public statements of oil companies, ask that they live up to the ideals they profess in public, and ask their advice on how you can.

Big oil companies, in it for the long pull, are big bastards (some with grosses larger than the Russian government budget) and they are tough bastards, but in many ways they have to be honest bastards, within the rules they play by -- just because they are in it for the long pull.