Yeah, I saw those caveats, too. Still, that's pretty ominous. We've just trieds to sell the Poles and Czechs down the river, we've lost bases elsewhere in the world and now Russia has been offered a chance to put strategic bombers 90 minutes away.
I think Russia is pretty much a paper tiger. Population is dropping fast, and the economy is a mess. If it wasn't for oil and gas revenues, the country would be third world.
They have a self-confidence issue. They used to be a world power, and now they are at best second-rate. So a little bit of "hey, we're still there, better take us seriously!" noisemaking is good for the national psyche, nothing more.
Quote: "If there is a corresponding political decision, then the use of the island … by the Russian Air Force is possible"
ReplyDeleteSounds like: "Please note that yes, we can. But please also note that we have not yet decided that we want to."
Yeah, I saw those caveats, too. Still, that's pretty ominous. We've just trieds to sell the Poles and Czechs down the river, we've lost bases elsewhere in the world and now Russia has been offered a chance to put strategic bombers 90 minutes away.
ReplyDeleteI think Russia is pretty much a paper tiger. Population is dropping fast, and the economy is a mess. If it wasn't for oil and gas revenues, the country would be third world.
ReplyDeleteThey have a self-confidence issue. They used to be a world power, and now they are at best second-rate. So a little bit of "hey, we're still there, better take us seriously!" noisemaking is good for the national psyche, nothing more.