Report: Cuba, Venezuela could host Russian bombers

[Madtown HD Junkie]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090314/ap_on_re_eu/eu_russia_bombers_cuba

A Russian Air Force chief said Saturday that Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has offered an island as a temporary base for strategic Russian bombers, the Interfax news agency reported.

The chief of staff of Russia's long range aviation, Maj. Gen. Anatoly Zhikharev, also said Cuba could be used to base the aircraft, Interfax reported.

The Kremlin, however, said the situation was hypothetical.

"The military is speaking about technical possibilities, that's all," Alexei Pavlov, a Kremlin official, told The Associated Press. "If there will be a development of the situation, then we can comment," he said.

Zhikharev said Chavez had offered "a whole island with an airdrome, which we can use as a temporary base for strategic bombers," the agency reported. "If there is a corresponding political decision, then the use of the island ... by the Russian Air Force is possible."

Interfax reported he said earlier that Cuba has air bases with four or five runways long enough for the huge bombers and could be used to host the long-range planes.

Two Russian bombers landed in Venezuela last year in what experts said was the first Western Hemisphere touchdown of Russian military craft since the end of the Cold War.

Cuba has never permanently hosted Russian or Soviet strategic aircraft. But Soviet short-range bombers often made stopovers there during the Cold War.

Russia resumed long-range bomber patrols in 2007 after a 15-year hiatus.

Independent military analyst Alexander Golts said from a strategic point of view there was nothing for Russia to gain from basing long-range craft within relatively short range of U.S. shores.

"It has no military sense. The bombers don't need any base. This is just a retaliatory gesture," Golts said, saying Russia wanted to hit back after U.S. ships patrolled Black Sea waters.

Moscow and the new U.S. administration of President Barack Obama have appeared to want to mend their relations, which reached a post-Cold War low last year when Russia's invasion of U.S. ally Georgia compounded disputes on security and democracy.

U.S. plans initiated under former President George W. Bush to position defense missiles in Poland and the Czech Republic had particularly irked Russia, which has welcomed his successor's apparently more cautious approach to the divisive issue.

Venezuela and Cuba, traditionally fierce U.S. foes, have close political and energy relations with Russia.


This is not good. :danger:

[cybok0]

Everything goes in circles.

[fallout2600]

Doesn't it?
Haven't we been here before?

[cybok0]

It's just freaky.

[vurbano]

They smell Obama's weakness.

[Bob Haller]

no off country bases needed, or even desired.

such bases just add costs

better to have the crews at home spending their paychecks in their own country

[cybok0]

no off country bases needed, or even desired.

such bases just add costs

better to have the crews at home spending their paychecks in their own country

I don't no, I liked it in Germany, England, Guam and the Philippines.

[msmith198025]

I don't no, I liked it in Germany, England, Guam and the Philippines.

I would agree. This gives a travel incentive for our soldiers. It also puts our millitary power within reach of places trouble might arise

[cybok0]

I would agree. This gives a travel incentive for our soldiers. It also puts our millitary power within reach of places trouble might arise

Agreed.

[msmith198025]

Agreed.

Cy, for two people on opposite sides of the political spectrum, we seem to agree on an awful lot. EXCEPT Olberman:thumbdown::)

[cybok0]

Cy, for two people on opposite sides of the political spectrum, we seem to agree on an awful lot. EXCEPT Olberman:thumbdown::)

LOL.:sleep-052:

[vurbano]

I would agree. This gives a travel incentive for our soldiers. It also puts our millitary power within reach of places trouble might ariseMaybe after you two love birds make out we could get back to discussing what to do about the russian threat at our doorstep?

[cybok0]

Maybe after you two love birds make out we could get back to discussing what to do about the russian threat at our doorstep?

Do you miss Dan?

[Madtown HD Junkie]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihc_5okrABc

[msmith198025]

Maybe after you two love birds make out we could get back to discussing what to do about the russian threat at our doorstep?

Whats the matter vurb? Feel left out?

OR you just can not understand why someone can agree from time to time from across the middle? It is not always one side versus the other. People need to come together and work things out once in a while. I was simply pointing out that many times the two sides can agree.

That said, I do not think that we should allow russian weapons there. Good enough?

[cybok0]

Whats the matter vurb? Feel left out?

OR you just can not understand why someone can agree from time to time from across the middle? It is not always one side versus the other. People need to come together and work things out once in a while. I was simply pointing out that many times the two sides can agree.

That said, I do not think that we should allow russian weapons there. Good enough?

Agreed.:mockery-056:

[vurbano]

I take it a little more seriously. This IMO is the russian missle crisis II.

[msmith198025]

I take it a little more seriously. This IMO is the russian missle crisis II.


I disagree. If for no other reason, things are not near as bad between us and russia as then. Sure it is a concern, but come on vurb, it was one or two comments on "we agree". No problem though, we are back on topic.:thumbup:

[cybok0]

I take it a little more seriously. This IMO is the russian missle crisis II.

Then you better go hide in your fallout shelter then.

If they attack us for some reason, there is nothing we can do about it, that alone will not make me stop having some fun.

[vurbano]

If you think Russia is our friend you are a fool.

[cybok0]

If you think Russia is our friend you are a fool.

Because of our last president, except for England, Canada and Mexico, we don't have any friends.

If you think that is a good thing, well that's just foolish.

[msmith198025]

Because of our last president, except for England, Canada and Mexico, we don't have any friends.

If you think that is a good thing, well that's just foolish.

I do not agree. I think Putin was quite fond of Bush. I do not think the same can be said of the current leadership however. Honestly, I do not think England really cares for us that much lately. They are allies, but I think things are gettting colder between us.

Mexico? As long as that border is in the condition it is they will love us. Will that matter when it comes to us being in trouble? No.

And well, Canada is Canada....:mockery-056:

[msmith198025]

If you think Russia is our friend you are a fool.

Ok Vurb. Not saying that I think Russia is our friend, but why do you think they want to harm us now? Are you going of off some previously held "Rocky movie" feelings? Or is it something else? I find that alot of conservatives love to see Russia as the big dog that we have to look out for, but is that really the case these days? Just curious on yoru thoughts

[cybok0]

I do not agree. I think Putin was quite fond of Bush. I do not think the same can be said of the current leadership however. Honestly, I do not think England really cares for us that much lately. They are allies, but I think things are gettting colder between us.

Mexico? As long as that border is in the condition it is they will love us. Will that matter when it comes to us being in trouble? No.

And well, Canada is Canada....:mockery-056:

IMO once Putin became leader, he tried everything in his power to separate from the US. I think he wants the cold war back, much like Vurb.

We do need a wall around our borders, north and south, and I think once the government implemented passports to cross the borders, that kinda made them mad.

[Bob Haller]

IMO once Putin became leader, he tried everything in his power to separate from the US. I think he wants the cold war back, much like Vurb.

We do need a wall around our borders, north and south, and I think once the government implemented passports to cross the borders, that kinda made them mad.

north and south huh? well how will you wall off the coasts?

bush legacies are doing a excellent job to cut illegal immigration from those looking for jobs.

our economic dump is discouraging illegal immigration:sleep-052:

[cybok0]

north and south huh? well how will you wall off the coasts?

bush legacies are doing a excellent job to cut illegal immigration from those looking for jobs.

our economic dump is discouraging illegal immigration:sleep-052:

It's called the Coast Guard.

[msmith198025]

IMO once Putin became leader, he tried everything in his power to separate from the US. I think he wants the cold war back, much like Vurb.

We do need a wall around our borders, north and south, and I think once the government implemented passports to cross the borders, that kinda made them mad.

I actually liked Putin. I think the other people in his gov. may have done what you say, but I think Putin was honestly a good person. We could have done more with them when he was there. Just my opinion

[fallout2600]

I actually liked Putin. I think the other people in his gov. may have done what you say, but I think Putin was honestly a good person. We could have done more with them when he was there. Just my opinion

Putin is ex-KGB and not afraid to hide it, not so sure where you see honesty in that guy....He balked at all our moves during the Bush years, he would have never worked with the USA.

[msmith198025]

Putin is ex-KGB and not afraid to hide it, not so sure where you see honesty in that guy....He balked at all our moves during the Bush years, he would have never worked with the USA.

I said I thought he was honestly a good person, not that I thought he was honest. He is and was a typical politician in that regard. There is a difference.

[cybok0]

I actually liked Putin. I think the other people in his gov. may have done what you say, but I think Putin was honestly a good person. We could have done more with them when he was there. Just my opinion

There is something that reminds me of the cold wars days.

IMO since Gorbachev left, the country has been trying to go back to the USSR days.

[fallout2600]

I said I thought he was honestly a good person, not that I thought he was honest. He is and was a typical politician in that regard. There is a difference.

I understand what you're saying...I just disagree, I don't think he has good global intentions. I think he wants to become the energy capital of the world and until he stops funding Iranian nuclear reactors, I don't trust him.

[Bob Haller]

russia watched bushes worldwide reputation tank and take our countries with him.

he saw a power vacuumn and decided to fill it

[fallout2600]

he saw a power vacuumn and decided to fill it

Totally agree.