Posted on Dec 12, 2014
U.S. readying military, economic options to Russian missile treaty violation
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From: Marine Corps Times
Pentagon and State Department officials are reviewing what military and economic options they can employ if Russia continues development of a cruise missile it has tested in violation of a cornerstone nuclear weapons treaty between Washington and Moscow, senior U.S. officials say.
"Russia's lack of meaningful engagement on this issue — if it persists — will ultimately require the United States to take actions to protect its interests and security along with those of its allies and partners," Brian McKeon, principal deputy undersecretary of defense for policy told the House Armed Services Committee's subcommittee on strategic forces on Wednesday.
In July, the United States went public with its concerns that Russia violated the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) by testing a prohibited ground-launched cruise missile.
The document — signed in 1987 — bans American and Russian ground-launched ballistic or cruise missiles capable of flying between 300 miles and 3,400 miles.
But American officials said the Russians tested a new medium-range, ground-launched cruise missile as early as 2008, and Russian officials have been unresponsive to attempts at dialogue by U.S. officials, most resently at a series of talks in September.
Rose Gottemoeller, undersecretary of state for arms control and international security, told the House panel that Russia was also not in compliance with the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe, and U.S. officials are concerned that Moscow is also violating other arms treaties.
Since Russia has refused to acknowledge its INF treaty violation, Gottemoeller said that "we are reviewing a series of diplomatic, economic and military measures to protect the interests of the United States and our allies and encourage Russia to uphold its nuclear arms control commitments."
Echoing McKeon comments about plans being made at the Pentagon, Gottemoeller added that Washington is "assessing options in the military sphere to ensure that Russia would not gain a significant military advantage from its violation of the INF Treaty."
McKeon said the U.S. could deploy active defenses to counter cruise missiles and beef up U.S. and allied forces in Europe and Asia.
"We do not want to find ourselves engaged in an escalatory cycle of action and reaction," he insisted, adding that Russian action and U.S. and NATO counter-actions "will make Russia less secure ... . This violation will not go unanswered, because there is too much at stake."
http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/story/military/capitol-hill/2014/12/11/us-readying-military-economic-response-russian-missile-treaty-violation/20254965//
Pentagon and State Department officials are reviewing what military and economic options they can employ if Russia continues development of a cruise missile it has tested in violation of a cornerstone nuclear weapons treaty between Washington and Moscow, senior U.S. officials say.
"Russia's lack of meaningful engagement on this issue — if it persists — will ultimately require the United States to take actions to protect its interests and security along with those of its allies and partners," Brian McKeon, principal deputy undersecretary of defense for policy told the House Armed Services Committee's subcommittee on strategic forces on Wednesday.
In July, the United States went public with its concerns that Russia violated the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) by testing a prohibited ground-launched cruise missile.
The document — signed in 1987 — bans American and Russian ground-launched ballistic or cruise missiles capable of flying between 300 miles and 3,400 miles.
But American officials said the Russians tested a new medium-range, ground-launched cruise missile as early as 2008, and Russian officials have been unresponsive to attempts at dialogue by U.S. officials, most resently at a series of talks in September.
Rose Gottemoeller, undersecretary of state for arms control and international security, told the House panel that Russia was also not in compliance with the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe, and U.S. officials are concerned that Moscow is also violating other arms treaties.
Since Russia has refused to acknowledge its INF treaty violation, Gottemoeller said that "we are reviewing a series of diplomatic, economic and military measures to protect the interests of the United States and our allies and encourage Russia to uphold its nuclear arms control commitments."
Echoing McKeon comments about plans being made at the Pentagon, Gottemoeller added that Washington is "assessing options in the military sphere to ensure that Russia would not gain a significant military advantage from its violation of the INF Treaty."
McKeon said the U.S. could deploy active defenses to counter cruise missiles and beef up U.S. and allied forces in Europe and Asia.
"We do not want to find ourselves engaged in an escalatory cycle of action and reaction," he insisted, adding that Russian action and U.S. and NATO counter-actions "will make Russia less secure ... . This violation will not go unanswered, because there is too much at stake."
http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/story/military/capitol-hill/2014/12/11/us-readying-military-economic-response-russian-missile-treaty-violation/20254965//
Posted >1 y ago
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I hope I am wrong, but it seems to me we have kind of flipped positions from the 80's. I seriously doubt if they really care what we think or do. I don't think their leadership has any respect or fear of our leadership at this point.
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Don't be so eager to pull the trigger just yet. Russian economy is showing every sign of crisis, with its currency trading at an all-time low, oil prices on a 5-year low and all this on top of economic sanctions. These people are their own worst enemy.
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1SG Michael Blount
CPT Zachary Brooks - this might be one of those situations in which "the best shot is the one you don't take:
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CPT Chris Loomis
1SG Michael Blount - I sure hope you're right. I agree with what you're saying and have read about some of the same aspects you speak of.
I'm definitely not trying to "pull the trigger" just yet. I'm just a cynical guy....
I'm definitely not trying to "pull the trigger" just yet. I'm just a cynical guy....
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1SG Michael Blount
@2Lt Chris Loomis - Sir, I don't mean to come off with both feet planted in a cloud somewhere. However, if my enemy can implode with little help from me, who am I to say "no"? It's sort of like ISIS. They will burn themselves out. They're doing it now.
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1SG (Join to see)
The Russian Military does not want that trigger pulled either. Politicans are politicans regardless of what country they come from. They have no idea of the realities of War. I recall back during the 70-80s, ever so often we (11th ACR) would move out to the field on Alert and then set up for a review by Russian and other Soviet Block Generals being escorted by V Corps, in Germany.
The Russian and Soviet Block Generals would be shocked when they would get briefed by a Sergeant or Staff Sergeant or see a Sergeant operating a radio; or a PSG leading his scout or tank platoon from one location to another. This was unheard of in the Eastern Block Military.
The Russian Military does NOTwant to take us on....they know what the light will look like at the end of tunnel. The politicans do not have a clue as to the realities of War as a shooting battle against he USA would be a no-win war for them.
The lack of leadership, weak stance, and flip flopping signals by our President to Poutin and the Russian leadership only emboldens the Political heat and hype. Russia can take on the former Eastern Block countries and overcome them just by sheer numbers of forces. This will not work against the USA...the Military knows itand does not want to cross that bridge.
Hopefully the tigger will not be necessary to be pulled!
The Russian and Soviet Block Generals would be shocked when they would get briefed by a Sergeant or Staff Sergeant or see a Sergeant operating a radio; or a PSG leading his scout or tank platoon from one location to another. This was unheard of in the Eastern Block Military.
The Russian Military does NOTwant to take us on....they know what the light will look like at the end of tunnel. The politicans do not have a clue as to the realities of War as a shooting battle against he USA would be a no-win war for them.
The lack of leadership, weak stance, and flip flopping signals by our President to Poutin and the Russian leadership only emboldens the Political heat and hype. Russia can take on the former Eastern Block countries and overcome them just by sheer numbers of forces. This will not work against the USA...the Military knows itand does not want to cross that bridge.
Hopefully the tigger will not be necessary to be pulled!
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There have been multiple things that Russia has done in the last several months that lead me to believe that we are headed back to the "Cold War."
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SGT Steve Vincent
Except this one is already in the beginnings stages of going hot. You don't have to look further than Ukraine for that. It has been proven now, multiple times over the past few months, that there are Russian troops in the Ukraine, actively running operations. All you have to look at is the weapons system used to shoot down that passenger jet a few months ago. I believe they are fully ready and willing to start a war to cover up their economic issues back home...
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GySgt Lloyd LaGrange
SGT Vincent, YOU HIT the NAIL right on the head !!! Our current POTUS has NO Military experience IRON HAND credibility what so ever. COMBAT & POLITICS do NOT mix !!! You can't fire words at RUSSIA, just as Gen. Washington did at Lexington & Concord...YOU GOT TO LOCK & LOAD AND ...FIRE !!!! WARRIOR'S like YOU & I have learned to read the sign's. No one want's WAR, but it happens. WAR is ugly ,harsh & bloody. But you CAN'T stand IDLY by and scratch your head wondering WTF to do !!! The 7 P's come to mind at this time, Prior Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance !!!! GOD BLESS, SEMPER FI !!
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