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Missile Defense

Technology has always found its greatest consumer in a nation's war and defense efforts. Since the last attempts at a "Star Wars" defense system, has technology changed considerably enough to make the latest Missile Defense initiatives more successful? Can such an application of science be successful? Is a militarized space inevitable, necessary or impossible?

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rshow55 - 04:50pm Mar 25, 2003 EST (# 10483 of 10508)
Can we do a better job of finding truth? YES. Click "rshow55" for some things Lchic and I have done and worked for on this thread.

President Putin has a lot of things to balance - a lot of need for stability - and can't just defer to the US.

Russia is trying to make a stable accomodation with Chechnya - and making headway!

March 23, 2003 Chechnya Weighs a Russian Offer of Self-Rule By MICHAEL WINES (NYT) News http://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/23/international/europe/23CHEC.html

March 24, 2003 Putin Hails Chechen Poll, U.S. Cautious By REUTERS (Reuters) News http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/international/international-russia-chechnya.html

March 24, 2003 Chechens Turn Out in Huge Numbers for a Vote on a Moscow-Backed Constitution By MICHAEL WINES (NYT) News http://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/24/international/europe/24CHEC.html

March 25, 2003 Chechens Back Ties to Russia in New Charter By MICHAEL WINES (NYT) News http://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/25/international/europe/25CHEC.html

And there are disagreements about weapons sales - and area where the US has been less than straightforward on many occasions:

March 24, 2003 U.S. Believes Russians in Baghdad Are Aiding Iraq By REUTERS (Reuters) News http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/news/news-iraq-usa-russia.html

March 24, 2003 White House Upset Over Russia's Sale of Weapons to Iraq By DAVID STOUT (NYT) News http://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/24/international/worldspecial/24CND-RUSSIA.html

March 25, 2003 Bush Calls Putin to Protest Sales of Russian Equipment By RICHARD W. STEVENSON with SABRINA TAVERNISE (NYT) News http://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/25/international/worldspecial/25RUSS.html

March 25, 2003 Russia Defends Self on Iraq Allegations By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS (AP) News http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/international/AP-War-Russia.html

And an important, disturbing story just out: Putin Rejects U.S. Claims of Military Sales to Iraq By SABRINA TAVERNISE http://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/25/international/worldspecial/25CND-RUSS.html

These are serious issues. Russia has to pay attention to the needs and wishes of its Islamic citizens and neighbors. And can't simply "do what it is told" by the United States.

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