Tuesday 5 June 2007

Move over Condi

When the new manager introduced himself, it was brief “I have 27 years experience in retail, and I love work”. Great, I hope that enthusiasm will rub off on the staff.

On a totally different subject, am I the only person who is a tad confused about defence policies from the Kremlin and the Pentagon these days? Russia has appeared publicly unphased by the Iranians enriching uranium, (for heaven knows what), but is always on high alert for any threat to Russia by Muslim extremists. It is understandably concerned about Bush’s latest brilliant defence policy move (can you hear my teeth grinding?), namely the proposed build up of defensive missiles in Poland and the Czech Republic (rewind to Brezhnev, Andropov, Chernyenko and repeat to fade).
This proposed shield is ostensibly to protect the US against attacks from Iran (?), not Russia. Now, when I last looked at a map, Iran was a darn sight closer to Russia than to the US. I have a suggestion. Why doesn’t the Pentagon base the defensive missiles inside Russia, pointing south to Iran, thereby pacifying the Kremlin and erasing any threat by Iran to Russia as well as the US. Uncle Sam and Uncle Vladimir could then resume cosy chit chats at world summits and discuss invasions past and present.

3 comments:

Edward said...

To answer one of your questions, Bush has invited Putin to be a participant in the shield program.
I also believe that the shield is designed to protect NATO countries and Israel from attacks originating from Iran, not to protect the US. The leadership in Iran has threatened the West and particularly Israel numerous times and has the capability to hit many of the NATO countries.
Russia has been a major supplier of technology for Iran's nuclear program, which is why nothing seems to get accomplished through the UN Security Council. Russia has no qualms about selling the reactor tech because they need the hard currency that Iran has access to through their oil revenues. Apparently Iran isn't paying their bills on time which is irritating Putin somewhat, but Russia is still dragging it's feet on sanctions that will give Iran pause.
Why Iran needs nuclear power when they sit on some of the largest stockpiles of oil in the world is an issue only someone very naive doesn't understand.

sparrow said...

Thanks Ed. I suspected that the Iranians had been shopping in more places than just GUM and the Bereioshka (sp) shops! Shame that Uncle Sam and Uncle Vlad are still not gulping Stoly's vodka together though, n'est pas?

Edward said...

No not n'es pas, Hersheys.