The Guardian Tues 25 March (Julian Borger)
"Russian actions are a problem. They don't pose the number one security threat to the United
States. I remain much more concerned about the prospect of a nuclear weapon going off in
Manhattan," the president said, pointing out that was why he had begun a series of bi-annual
summits aimed at improving the security of weapons-grade fissile material stocks around the
world.
So, now, Mr. Putin you know how to get even with the USA and keep them out of your back
yard. Obama is not afraid of you. You're low on his list. He is afraid of terrorists exploding a nuclear
device in New York City.
And where might terrorists get hold of a nuclear weapon? Not Putin. Nooooo. He needs all
his bombs! Since he's so weak he would never pass one of his small bombs to Muslim terrorists.
Putin would never do anything so underhanded. He would want credit for any damage he could
do to the USA. If he sent a bomb on the back of a Muslim terrorist how could he ever get credit
for such a masterful plan.
The terrorists would get the credit. But wait a minute - Putin could escape blame.
Listen to what else Obama says about Putin/Russia.
"Russia is a regional power showing weakness over Ukraine. The fact that Russia felt it had to
go in militarily and lay bare these violations of international law indicates less influence, not
more."
What's Obama talking about? Does he think this is a pick-up game of basketball at some community
center where you just taunt and belittle your opponent with pregame "trash-talk"?
By the way these remarks were made at a heavily attended summit in The Hague where the
subject was setting standards governing security at nuclear sites and acceptance of international
inspections as part of the security arrangements. 35 countries agreed to the standards. Russia
and China were among the 18 countries at the summit that did not sign the agreement.
Putin's master plan was to create a Eurasian common market similar to the European union.
The West doesn't want Russia to do that because they fear that some sort of military
alliance similar to Nato would eventually emerge. Ukraine is the essential piece to that project's
success. Putin couldn't just let Nato get control of the strategic access Russia needs to the Black
Sea-Mediterranean and the Atlantic. So, now this sets his plan back because he has been forced
into a corner and had to respond militarily which of course scares off other countries from joining his project.
Sure Russia is weak. It doesn't want to fight Nato. He wants to be fully integrated in a multi-
polar world that isn't pushed around by the USA. There's two alternatives. 1. Become stronger
than your foe or 2. Weaken your foe by your compliance so that he is caught off guard.
Now which approach would a Judo expert like Putin take.
