Will Russia Aim Its Missiles At US Missile Defense?

Russian President Medvedev has that Russia will move its missiles to border areas, and aim them
at US Missile Defense Sites if the US continues plans for a European missile shield.

Russia has always said that any missiles placed in Europe are considered a threat to Russia and its
nuclear forces. The US maintains that there are meant to deter a possible launch from Iran or other
nations in the region.

Russia has also said that it is possible New Start arms control will become void as Russia will
decide not to continue with the plans already agreed to.

Russia had originally agreed to consider the NATO proposal for the shields to be placed in
Poland and Romania, but talks have reached a stalemate on how the systems would operate.
Russia wants the system to be run jointly, but NATO has rejected that idea.

So as our Congress has failed to reach agreement on the budget, and the Department of Defense
will be facing huge budgetary cuts which could further weaken our military, Russia continues
to bluster and rattle sabers.

We should take the Russian statements at face value, and determine to forge ahead with the
missile shields to protect Europe and America. We can not back down from threats such as
this, I do not believe they are idle threats, and now the Russians want us to bow to their
wishes; something we must not, now or ever, do.

Jerald Terwilliger
National Chairman
American Cold War Veterans
"We Remember"

---------------- "And so the greatest of American triumphs... became a peculiarly joyless victory. We had won the Cold War, but there would be no parades." -- Robert M. Gates, 1996

Nato Sees Russia As Missile Defense Patner

Is this not a little like inviting the fox into the hen house?

By Donna Miles 
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Jan. 20, 2011 - Expressing confidence that the Russian parliament will ratify the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said he's looking forward to moving ahead during the first half of 2011 on missile defense cooperation with Russia.

Rasmussen, speaking on his video blog posted yesterday, hailed the landmark decision between NATO and Russia at the alliance's November summit in Lisbon, Portugal, and emphasized NATO's "strong commitment to enhance and deepen our cooperation and to keep the spirit of Lisbon alive."

NATO and Russia agreed at the summit to begin working together toward developing a continentwide missile defense system.

"For the first time, NATO nations and Russia will be cooperating to defend themselves," Rasmussen said of the new missile defense cooperation. "Our citizens in Europe will share enhanced security, and that is unprecedented."
Cooperation on missile defense is an important stepping stone toward development of the overall security relationship with Russia, he said. "It could be a vehicle for even further practical cooperation and confidence-building in the years to come," he said.

"This is simple logic," he added. "Increasingly, we share many threats to our common security." As examples, he cited terrorism, the growing narcotics trade, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and piracy.
The missile defense system will protect people in NATO-member nations and Russia against the growing missile threat, Rasmussen said. He recognized that more than 30 nations have or are seeking a missile capability. "This is a development we cannot ignore," he said.

As NATO and Russia evaluate the best ways to cooperate in missile defense, Rasmussen said, NATO envisions "two independent but coordinated systems, working back to back."

This will offer several benefits, he explained. It will promote information exchange, provide a wider picture of the skies over Europe and with it, improved protection of Russian as well as allied territories.
Rasmussen said NATO will offer Russia transparency about its system that provides assurance that it isn't –- and can't be -– directed at Russia.

Also, by maintaining two independent systems, he said, both NATO and Russia can avoid "outsourcing our security to one another."

"NATO security is based on collective defense," he said. "And I assume that Russia, as a strong and independent nation, also wants to be fully in control of its defense systems."

Rasmussen said he looks forward to "constructive discussions with Russia in the months ahead" that will build on commitments made at Lisbon.

Meanwhile, the Russia parliament is considering ratification of the New START Treaty. President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev signed the treaty in Prague in April, and the U.S. Senate ratified it last month.


Jerald Terwilliger
National Chairman
American Cold War Veterans
"We Remember"
---------------- "And so the greatest of American triumphs... became a peculiarly joyless victory. We had won the Cold War, but there would be no parades." -- Robert M. Gates, 1996

Russia to build Missile Shield by 2020

An article in the Washington Times states that Russian armed forces plan to have an
"impenetrable" system in place by 2020.

Russian General Staff chief Gen. Nikolai Makarov said "The state will have an umbrella over
which it will defend itself against medium-range missiles, air-based cruise missiles, sea-based
cruise missiles, and ground-based cruise missiles, including missiles flying at extremely
low altitudes, at any time and in any situation."

The general added "Of course this is a long process that requires significant financial investment."
It is believed that fundamental portions of this system could be in place by this year.

Yet we continue to look the other way, as Russia, China, Iran, Pakistan all build their military
systems larger and stronger. In fact there is talk of reducing the Pentagon budget even further.
Should we just sit back and allow these countries to match the U.S. military, or to grow
even larger?

Jerald Terwilliger
National Chairman
American Cold War Veterans
"We Remember" 

---------------- "And so the greatest of American triumphs... became a peculiarly joyless victory. We had won the Cold War, but there would be no parades." -- Robert M. Gates, 1996

Iran will boost missile arsenal

Iran has stated they plan to continue to build its missile force.

Parliament speaker Ali Larijani said Tuesday that Iran does not hide its weapons systems to defend
itself against "possible aggressions" from Israel and the West. These remarks confirm views of
Western analysts that Iran has developed missiles capable of hitting Israel and possibly portions of
Europe.

At the same time Iran's Defense Ministry announced that it's Navy is now armed with new
coastal cruise missile systems.

Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi said the new systems will help safeguard it's
coastal boundaries.

The systems include new launch pads, Target detection and radar to guide the missiles. Iran lately
been testing missiles with increasingly long ranges.

This comes while an eight year struggle among world powers to limit Iran's nuclear capability.
Many consider that Iran is still in an effort to produce nuclear weapons.

Iran still maintains that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.

Jerald Terwilliger
National Chairman
American Cold War Veterans
"We Remember"

---------------- "And so the greatest of American triumphs... became a peculiarly joyless victory. We had won the Cold War, but there would be no parades." -- Robert M. Gates, 1996

Russian Military had busy week

The Russian military has been very busy in the last few days as they continue to rebuild and renew.
Not a good sign at this time.

On Thursday Russia test fired a Topal RS-12M (SS-25 Sickle) a single warhead intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) with a yield of 550 kilotons and a range of 6,125 miles. While this is one of their older missiles, first put into service in 1985, its service life has been extended several times.

This will be replaced by the Topal-M (SS-27 Stalin) which is a single warhead 550 Kiloton, the design is compatible with MIRV carrying 4 to 6 warheads along with decoys. It reportedly has a range of 1,242 to 6,525 miles. It is also claimed to be Russia's most accurate with a CEP of 657 feet.

Russia claims the missile will be invulnerable to any current of future US missile defense systems.  It can make evasive measures and is shielded against radiation,  EMP, nuclear explosions at distances of
over 1641 feet, and with take a hit from any laser. It can be launched from a shielded silo or from a mobile launcher.

Russia also launched two SLBM's from submerged submarines. One submarine fired a Sineva missile, the other fired a SS-N-18 Stingray missile. These missiles were fired at the same time and hit their designated targets.

Friday Russia had a successful launch of the much troubled Bulava (Mace) RSM-56 SBLM. This missile can carry up to ten independently targeted supersonic warheads which Russia claims cannot be
intercepted by any known means. The multiple warheads reached their targets 4,970 miles away in approximately 20 minutes.

Friday also saw the launch of the first of a new class of frigates. The project 22350 ship Admiral Gorshkov is a 4,500 ton frigate with a speed of 29 knots and a range of 4,000 nm at 14 knots.

It will carry a crew of 210 and large assortment of armament. It will have a 130 mm gun, a Kashtan Close In Weapons System, 8 Oniks (SS-N-26) anti-ship missiles, the Shtil (SA-N-12) medium range anti-aircraft missile complex, four 533 mm torpedo tubes. RPK-9 Medvedka-VE (SS-N-29) anti-submarine rockets and 24 Uragan SAM missiles. It will also carry a Ka-27 or Ka-32 helicopter.

Defense Ministry sources say the Russian Navy will receive 10 of these vessels in the next decade, and needs between 20 and 30 of these frigates as the main ocean-going surface ship.

This is all done just before the start of new talks scheduled to take place between the US and Russia.
It seems that Russia is purposely trying to prove they can be stronger and more dangerous.

Can it be that Russia plans to hold the upper hand and dictate to the US? Is the "reset" going to happen? One has to wonder.

Jerald Terwilliger
National Chairman
American Cold War Veterans
"We Remember"
 


---------------- "And so the greatest of American triumphs... became a peculiarly joyless victory. We had won the Cold War, but there would be no parades." -- Robert M. Gates, 1996

EXCLUSIVE: U.S. to stop counting new missiles in Russia - Washington Times

EXCLUSIVE: U.S. to stop counting new missiles in Russia - Washington Times

So now we will no longer know just how many missiles Russia has. This is a big mistake, and a step backwards; especially since Russia continues
to build their military.

Were it not for the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan the US would be reducing our military. Already several
programs that were in process have been cut back or eliminated.

We are not ready for another Cold War.

Jerald Terwilliger
National Chairman
American Cold War Veterans, Inc.
"We Remember"

Report: Russia to allow pre-emptive nukes

It seems Russia does not want to give up their nukes, and will use them first.

Report: Russia to allow pre-emptive nukes

Shared via AddThis

Jerald Terwilliger
National Chairman
American Cold War Veterans, Inc.
"We Remember"

Venezuela to get Russian Missiles and Tanks

During his visit to Russia it appears Hugo Chavez made some great deals.

In addition to at least 100 T-70 and T-90 tanks valued at over $500 Million that President Medevdev said were being sold to Venezuela other arms will be sold as well.

Chavez says that Venezuela will be receiving short range missiles.

"Soon some little rockets are going to be arriving," he said at the presidential palace. "They can fly 300 kms. And they don't miss their targets."

"We are not going to attack anybody, these are just defense tools, because we are going to defend our country from any threat, wherever it may come from," he went on. "We need to increase our defense potential," he said. "A blockade is closing in around us."

I believe that the intention is to attempt to stop Colombia from allowing the U.S. from building a military base in the neighboring country.

The US wants this base to help in the fight against drugs. Chavez claims that the base will be used to further American interests in South America, and possibly an attempt against Venezuela.

As Russia continues to reach out to other countries they are also looking towards Asia notably India and Pakistan.

After Putin's speech warning against attacks on Iran one has to wonder how much power he actually gave up to Medvedev.

Jerald Terwilliger, Chairman

American Cold War Veterans, Inc.