Russia to Base Nuclear Bombers in Cuba?
Posted on July 23, 2008
Filed Under Russia, Vladimir Putin |
There is a very important, but underreported as usual, story at Breitbart.com about the possibility of Russia basing some of its nuclear bombers in Cuba:
Russia would cross “a red line for the United States of America” if it were to base nuclear capable bombers in Cuba, a top US air force officer warned on Tuesday.
“If they did I think we should stand strong and indicate that is something that crosses a threshold, crosses a red line for the United States of America,” said General Norton Schwartz, nominated to be the air force’s chief of staff.He was referring to a Russian news report that said the military is thinking of flying long-range bombers to Cuba on a regular basis.
It was unclear from the report whether that would involve permanent basing of nuclear bombers in Cuba, or just use of the island as a refueling stop.
So why would Russia be considering this now? Because Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev are livid about our wanting to install a missile defense system in Europe.
I’m not going to read too much into this particular action unless Russia indeed chooses to base their nuclear bombers in Cuba. This is probably just saber-rattling. What I will say, however, is that this needs to be filed away and cataloged along with the increasingly numerous signs of Russia flexing its growing muscles.
Comments
3 Responses to “Russia to Base Nuclear Bombers in Cuba?”
Leave a Reply
[...] Russia to Base Nuclear Bombers in Cuba? I’m not going to read too much into this particular action unless Russia indeed chooses to base their nuclear bombers in Cuba. This is probably just saber-rattling. What I will say, however, is that this needs to be filed away and … [...]
I heard on a radio spot while traveling from Indy to Atl. I remember hearing that Putin was thretening that is Mccain wins in Nov, that he was going to station bombers in cuba to force out hand on the Euro missle defence system. Is this true?
I haven’t seen or read anything to that, but it wouldn’t surprise me at all–especially now that the missile defense deal with Poland is complete.
Also the fact that Putin has come out in the last day or so and said that Russia will do more than talking in its response to the missile defense system. Does that mean offensive military action? Does it mean ramping up alliances with countries like Iran, Syria, China, Cuba, and Venezuela? Does it mean cutting oil supply to Europe in an attempt to entice Europe to pressure the U.S. into backing down our rhetoric? I don’t know. If, however, I was forced to plan for something, it would be the two latter scenarios–at least short-term.
At this point I would say its anyone’s guess. Unfortunately, guessing is not the position we want to be in.