October 18, 2004 ::
The Russian Nezavisimaya Gazeta newspaper carries an article describing how Russia suspects, despite disavowals by the United States, that the missile defense system currently being deployed will eventually be used as a defense against Russian missiles. Russia’s concern that the United States would try to defend itself stems from their desire to retain the strategic stranglehold which Russia’s offensive nuclear arsenal provides, over the exercise of American power. Russia’s position could be diminished, if the United States chooses to abandon the policy of vulnerability as a means to achieve security.
If only Russia’s paranoia were well-placed; if only it were true that the defenses which are currently being deployed will at some later date, constitute a larger, and indeed “strategic defense.” This is palpably not the case with the limited capabilities now being deployed, but Russia is concerned that it might someday take place. There is much reason to believe that the defenses are not on track, at least in any timely sense, of becoming strategically relevant.
Russia’s concern stems from a natural, perhaps correct, assessment that Russia and the United States are not friends or allies, but rivals. A statement by Russian Colonel General Leonid Ivashov is particularly noteworthy: “We remain for the United States a geopolitical rival and, incidentally, it may boldly be asserted, an adversary.”
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