From: Ad 

George Sherwood wrote:
> Adam > wrote:
>> George Sherwood wrote:
>>> Looks like tomorrow will be an interesting day at work.
>>>
>>> George
>>>
>>> http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070607/ap_on_re_eu/bush
>>>
>>> HEILIGENDAMM, Germany - Russian President
>>> Vladimir Putin, bitterly opposed to a U.S. missile shield in Eastern
>>> Europe, told President Bush on Thursday that Moscow would drop its
>>> objections if the system were installed in Azerbaijan.
>>>
>>> Putin told Bush he would not seek to retarget Russian missiles on Europe
>>> if the United States agreed to put the radar-based system in Azerbaijan,
>>> a former Soviet republic bordering the Caspian Sea.
>> I wonder if Putin asked the Azeri before suggesting it.
>
> I read an article that stated he did.  Sure there will be more about it
> today at work.
>
>> It's fairly devious as it means the polar route from Russia to the US is
>> still open.
>
> This limited system was never going to work against Russia.  It wasn't
> the target.
>
>> It also means it's an easy target for the Iranians to hit.
>
> Easy, you are really overestimating Iranian capabilities.  I don't think
> so.  I am guessing there will be a nice layered defense.
>
> George

Hum.

Do not underestimate the Russians. It is undoubtedly a move as considered
as one in chess.

Whose layered defence? The Russians are not going to have such a thing near
their troops/friends etc in Georgia and Armenia.

Maybe they can put some S300/400 near the Russo-Azeri border.

Sounds like a good reason for Russia to "assume defence
responsibilities in the Southern Caucasus". Obviously that will need
to cover all possible routes in including from Georgia.

Adam

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