Russian strategic bombers could use Cuba airfields

[RedEj8]

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/03/14/russia.cuba.bombers/?ic

MOSCOW, Russia (CNN) -- Russia expressed interest in using Cuban airfields during patrol missions of its strategic bombers, Russia's Interfax news agency reported

"There are four or five airfields in Cuba with 4,000-meter-long runways, which absolutely suit us," Maj. Gen. Anatoly Zhikharev told Interfax.

Zhikharev, who is the chief of staff of the Russian Air Force's long-range aviation, said, "If the two chiefs of state display such a political will, we are ready to fly there."

Zhikharev also told Interfax that Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has offered a military airfield on La Orchila island as a temporary base for Russian strategic bombers.

"If a relevant political decision is made, this is possible," he said, according to Interfax. Zhikharev said he visited La Orchila in 2008 and can confirm that with minor reconstruction, the airfield owned by a local naval base can accept fully-loaded Russian strategic bombers.

__________________________________________________ __

Nuclear armed bombers 90 miles off our coast? 1962 all over again?

Thoughts?

[redrumracer]

hey they can be where they are allowed to be when they want. It doesnt matter either way if any side presses the magic button to send off the nukes cause the whole world well be bye bye.

[redrumracer]

oh and on that note that would be the only time it would suck to be in outerspace, unless you have a shuttle and enough supplies to wait it out, but then your stuck trying to repopulate the world.

[zimabog]

How is this different than the United States having hundreds of military bases around the world? Ready to strike anything anywhere with a phonecall? The number of US bases is growing, and its really disturbing. You know once a US base gets established in a country, rarely does it leave. Its like a virus.

Who here doesn't understand what a double standard is? I think the old guys in politics don't.

[300zxtt]

How is this different than the United States having hundreds of military bases around the world? Ready to strike anything anywhere with a phonecall? The number of US bases is growing, and its really disturbing. You know once a US base gets established in a country, rarely does it leave. Its like a virus.

Who here doesn't understand what a double standard is? I think the old guys in politics don't.

You mean like how we left the Phillipines, how we are leaving Europe, reducing ground forces in South Korea, left Japan, and on and on.........Read some real history not the current revisionist version of history.

[green91]

Its not an issue of a double standard, its an issue of me, as an american citizen, wanting to be on the more powerful side. We've got to do everything we can to maintain this position.

[SampaGuy]

Its not an issue of a double standard, its an issue of me, as an american citizen, wanting to be on the more powerful side. We've got to do everything we can to maintain this position.

And this is why humanity doesnt move forward.

[green91]

And this is why humanity doesnt move forward.

Oh please. So you're saying it isn't fair for stronger countries to be more powerful and ensure their own safety? You think we should be stalemate or less powerful than communist and 3rd world countries who couldn't govern themselves out of a paper bag?

[zimabog]

You mean like how we left the Phillipines, how we are leaving Europe, reducing ground forces in South Korea, left Japan, and on and on.........Read some real history not the current revisionist version of history.

We are not leaving Europe, we are in fact moving in. We did leave Phillipines, but only after massive protest. We did not leave Japan, I know many military personal stationed in Japan right now.

[RedEj8]

How is this different than the United States having hundreds of military bases around the world? Ready to strike anything anywhere with a phonecall? The number of US bases is growing, and its really disturbing. You know once a US base gets established in a country, rarely does it leave. Its like a virus.

Who here doesn't understand what a double standard is? I think the old guys in politics don't.

Well here's my take on it.

The US is bordered by Canada on the north, Mexico on the south, Pacific and Atlantic oceans on it's sides. So we're in a pretty neutral position as far as posing a threat to nations that consider us hostile.

However...Russia is bordered by Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania (via Kaliningrad Oblast), Poland (via Kaliningrad Oblast), Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, China, Mongolia and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. So Russia borders some of our allies, and has an uninterrupted land war capability into the heart of some of our closest allies.

Yea we probably shouldn't protect Europe as much as we do. They need to protect themselves and, I'm agreeing with someone elses thoughts here, we should pull a lot of our permanent military presence out of Europe.

A good missile defense system would probably be a pretty good idea instead of our new Pres's idea that "if we're just nice to everyone we wont need it." Which is laughable at best.

[zimabog]

Oh please. So you're saying it isn't fair for stronger countries to be more powerful and ensure their own safety? You think we should be stalemate or less powerful than communist and 3rd world countries who couldn't govern themselves out of a paper bag?

There is absolutely no reason for Russia to be on our bad side. Have you ever read the book 1984? There is a passage in there that sums these politics up. I cant find it right now, but what happened was there was a speech being given, rallying the people up for war against a specific country. People had banners and were expressing hatred to that country. And then just a little moment later in the same speech, the speaker instantly changed the very country they were supposed to be hating. And instantly people changed the banners and hate slogans to reflect the new country they were supposed to be at war with. "Down with Eurasia! Hate Eurasia!" Then a minute later, "Down with Eastasia! Hate Eastasia! Praise our allies Eurasia!"

something like that.


I hate that planned missile defense shield, the citizens of poland and czech republic hate it too. But the governments are run by little children who want to become the 51st state.
The EU is pretty gay too.

[SampaGuy]

Its just the mentality of your statement. We have evolved beyond that. Look at the EU. Friendships work better than rivalries.

[green91]

Friendships dont always last, especially when there is money involved.

[zimabog]

Its just the mentality of your statement. We have evolved beyond that. Look at the EU. Friendships work better than rivalries.


No we have not really evolved beyond that. Friendships work when you you're the bigger/stronger leader of the friendship.


I believe the only reason we even desire to become "friends" with other nations is so we can put our military there. Which is exactly how things have happened.

[SampaGuy]

There is absolutely no reason for Russia to be on our bad side.


Yup and they are definitely more open to the idea of friendship with the US than the US!

[Frög]

THOUGHTS?

Click this, and watch the last part of it..

VIDEO (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5384001427276447319)

Skip to 1:25:42 (really only need to watch it up to 1:29:15 but the rest is interesting)

That's what I think.. And what the Russian's think.. That part talks about atomic bombs.. Anyone who thinks Russia is a nuclear threat is wrong.. One bomb would lead to a nuclear apocalypse and the end of the WHOLE world, guaranteed 100%.. Just watch the video..

The U.S. can have military bases EVERYWHERE in the world, but when Russia, our ally, does it, its something to worry about? The media make it seem like they are a threat..

plv is correct in every way..

[SampaGuy]

No we have not really evolved beyond that. Friendships work when you you're the bigger/stronger leader of the friendship.



Umm tell me about the EU then? If you've never been here you have no idea how great it works. And we are talking about Spain vs France vs England type of rivalries that have been in history for centuries.

Im not saying be friends with the whole Middle East and North Korea, of course the world is not perfect. But Russia?

[zimabog]

thought you were talking about eu usa relations.

[RedEj8]

A little update..

Chavez: Russian jets welcome
By CHRISTOPHER TOOTHAKER (Associated Press Writer)
From Associated Press
March 15, 2009 3:51 PM EDT

CARACAS, Venezuela - President Hugo Chavez said Sunday that Russian bombers would be welcome in Venezuela, the socialist leader declared that his country would offer Moscow its territory for a military base.

Chavez - a fierce critic of Washington with close ties to Russia and Cuba.

"It's not like that," the president said, responding to a report by Interfax news agency quoting the chief of staff of Russia's long range aviation, Maj. Gen. Anatoly Zhikharev, as saying some strategic bombers could be based on an island offered by Venezuela.

Zhikharev reportedly said Saturday that Chavez had offered "a whole island with an airdrome, which we can use as a temporary base for strategic bombers."

Speaking during his weekly television and radio program, Chavez said he told Russian President Dmitry Medvedev that his nation's bombers would be allowed to land in Venezuela if necessary, but no such plans have been made as of yet.

Venezuela hosted two Russian Tu-160 bombers in September for training flights and joined Russian warships two months later for naval exercises in the Caribbean.

"I told President Medvedev that any time Russia's strategic aviation needs to make a stop in Venezuela and construct a permanent base as part of its strategic plans, Venezuela is available," he said.

Interfax also reported that Zhikharev said Russian bombers could be based in communist-led Cuba, but a Kremlin official said Zhikharev had been speaking hypothetically.

Kremlin official Alexei Pavlov responded to the report on Saturday, saying that "the military is speaking about technical possibilities, that's all."

"If there will be a development of the situation, then we can comment," Pavlov said.

Venezuela and Cuba have close political and energy relations with Russia, which has been working to reassert itself as a military force.

Russia, after the election of Obama, resumed long-range bomber patrols in 2009 after a 15-year hiatus.

[NewGen33]

don't mean shit if you don't control the skies.

[preferredduck]

A little update..

Chavez: Russian jets welcome
By CHRISTOPHER TOOTHAKER (Associated Press Writer)
From Associated Press
March 15, 2009 3:51 PM EDT

CARACAS, Venezuela - President Hugo Chavez said Sunday that Russian bombers would be welcome in Venezuela, the socialist leader declared that his country would offer Moscow its territory for a military base.

Chavez - a fierce critic of Washington with close ties to Russia and Cuba.

"It's not like that," the president said, responding to a report by Interfax news agency quoting the chief of staff of Russia's long range aviation, Maj. Gen. Anatoly Zhikharev, as saying some strategic bombers could be based on an island offered by Venezuela.

Zhikharev reportedly said Saturday that Chavez had offered "a whole island with an airdrome, which we can use as a temporary base for strategic bombers."

Speaking during his weekly television and radio program, Chavez said he told Russian President Dmitry Medvedev that his nation's bombers would be allowed to land in Venezuela if necessary, but no such plans have been made as of yet.

Venezuela hosted two Russian Tu-160 bombers in September for training flights and joined Russian warships two months later for naval exercises in the Caribbean.

"I told President Medvedev that any time Russia's strategic aviation needs to make a stop in Venezuela and construct a permanent base as part of its strategic plans, Venezuela is available," he said.

Interfax also reported that Zhikharev said Russian bombers could be based in communist-led Cuba, but a Kremlin official said Zhikharev had been speaking hypothetically.

Kremlin official Alexei Pavlov responded to the report on Saturday, saying that "the military is speaking about technical possibilities, that's all."

"If there will be a development of the situation, then we can comment," Pavlov said.

Venezuela and Cuba have close political and energy relations with Russia, which has been working to reassert itself as a military force.

Russia, after the election of Obama, resumed long-range bomber patrols in 2009 after a 15-year hiatus.


hmm i wonder why chavez doesn't like us, maybe b/c we tried to stage a coup and it did not work and we cannot assisinate him. ohh thats wht he doesn't like us, thats it.

[300zxtt]

Umm tell me about the EU then? If you've never been here you have no idea how great it works. And we are talking about Spain vs France vs England type of rivalries that have been in history for centuries.

Im not saying be friends with the whole Middle East and North Korea, of course the world is not perfect. But Russia?

The EU only works because the US military is the guardian of the world. The EU members have disbanded their militaries and pocketed the money they save because the US military covers their butts. Whether we should protect them is another discussion. The EU nations no longer have the combat power to protect themselves much less influence the rest of Europe much less any other part of the world. Remember Bosnia and Serbia issues - the US is still policing that mess becuase the EU cannot and will not. Remember the calls to intervene in Rhwanda and Dharfur - the EU cannot influence those issues either. The EU is no longer relevant and the US protects them to keep the trade markets open.

[zimabog]

the EU also made some eu countries into mexico like nations, mass emigration to England where they send all their money back. It also belittles sovereignty a bit too.

[Frög]

Click this, and watch the last part of it..

VIDEO (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5384001427276447319)

Skip to 1:25:42 (really only need to watch it up to 1:29:15 but the rest is interesting)


Right after Chernobyl accident, Chernobyl 2 (radar intended to detect American nuclear missiles) was closed.

ex-USSR general:
"Using weapons is a terrible thing, hence nuclear weapons are even worst. Chernobyl was an accident involving one single reactor, a limited accident, whose consequences are still with us. We've had two bombs, Hiroshima and Nagasaki, there again the consequences are still being felt today."

Former 1st Secretary USSR:
"Chernobyl showed us the true nature of nuclear energy in human hands. We've calculated that our most powerful missile, the SS-18 was as powerful as 100 Chernobyl. The SS-18 was the warhead the American's feared the most and we had 2700 of them. Imagine the destruction. --- Chernobyl convinced everyone, Soviets and Americans alike, realized once and for all the magnitude of the atomic volcanoes our countries were sitting on. Not only our two countries, but the entire world. THE ENTIRE WORLD!"

[BanginJimmy]

Nukes are meant to be a deterant and nothing more. You have them just to make sure that no one else uses one against you.

Am I worried about Russia basing bombers closer to US shores? Unless they put more than 100 bombers there and another 100 fighters to go along with them I ownt be the least bit worried. If the US and Russia started trading shots all of those aircraft would be accounted for within minutes. If they got even close to our shores (or maybe not even that far) they would be shot down long before they got a chance to do any damage. Now I am worried about Russia's added aggression. They seem to be slowly sliding back towards communism.

[RedEj8]

To me it seems to be a power play for Russia.. Seems they are seeing how far they can push us before we bite back.

[preferredduck]

To me it seems to be a power play for Russia.. Seems they are seeing how far they can push us before we bite back.

they are already putting more resources into cuba which is 90 miles from the us and abt 135 miles from miami(rough estimate). it's kind of like a new cold war, but we are wanting to put missle defense systems around them and china, go figure.

[Frög]

So, the U.S. has military bases ALL OVER THE WORLD but when Russia, our ally, goes for the same strategy, its something to worry about?

Russia doesn't need to add military bases in Europe, Asia, the middle east, or anywhere east of us because their country is already all over the fucking place.. A base anywhere in the continent of America is definitely the only logical place to put a foreign military base..

[zimabog]

Frog is right, people don't realize that America isn't the 'super special the world is ours' nation they think it should be.

http://allisonkilkenny.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/800px-us_military_bases_in_the_world_2007.png
http://www.oldamericancentury.org/US-military-bases-2001-03.jpg


Double standard:
Double standards are when certain applications may be acceptable to one group, but seen as taboo to another.

[Frög]

^ :goodjob:

Look at russia, it doesn't need a military base anywhere but Africa(don't fucking need it) and America(the continent)..

We have them pretty much encircled and they can't do the same?

[One_Bad_SHO]

Russian bombers in Venezuela? *golf clap* Good for them. Not a prob for us.

[300zxtt]

Those maps are a "little misleading". The US military could have one person on Active Duty in a nation and it would be colored in "red" as if we had 10,000 troops there. Who chose "red" to indicate US presence - we are normally "blue". Think there is a little bias here?

[RedEj8]

Fr




Double standard:
Double standards are when certain applications may be acceptable to one group, but seen as taboo to another.

Look at post 10.