Medvedev let his back bone slip seeking peace and non-proliferation.
During the years of escalating tensions between the USA and Russia under the current administration, Russia has proven its ability to reach every corner of the planet with its military prowess, including recently the shores of South America.
In order to facilitate non-proliferation and the reversal of the Bush / Cheney brinkmanship there needs to be a welcoming to American soil of President Medvedev.
I am confident the first 'ground breaking' of new understandings of non-proliferation between the USA and Russia can be garnered through a comprehensive policy regarding the nuclear status of Iran. Russia has been a partner to the Iranian reactor since it was discovered some time ago that the USA had given the Iranians bogus plans for its reactor. They have monitored the reactors progress and is ready to supply nuclear fuel rather than Iran's continued use of centrifuges.
There is much that can and should be pursued to insure the well being of allies.
Non-proliferation also includes removing 'safety nets' that permit a far to wide margin of potential deployment or exchange of nuclear weapons in the Star Wars Missile Shield. There is no need for pursuing a 'pre-emptive' strategy IF there is to be active reductions of nuclear weapons between these two countries. When Iran is made to 'stand down' from its ambitions and accepts Russian nuclear fuel and waste handling; the USA should be reassuring its European allies that a better strategy is emerging, one of sustained peace through nuclear disarmament.
Allowing Russia to feel secure within its borders is paramount to a sustainable trust and active return to strong alliances to facilitate stability to the region, including Afghanistan. Russia was one of our strongest allies post September 11, 2001; we need to reclaim the trust that will INSURE the defeat of al Qaeda and regional terrorist networks, including those at work in the Caucasus'.
RF ratification of treaties with Abkhazia, S Ossetia (click here)
29.10.2008, 20.52
MOSCOW, October 29 (Itar-Tass) -- The ratification of Russian treaties with South Ossetia and Abkhazia will give a start to their international recognition, Federation Council chairman Sergei Mironov said.
He welcomed the State Duma’s decision to ratify the treaties of friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance with these states and stressed that these documents “create a legal framework for the development of cooperation in all fields, including defence”.
Having recalled that most of the population in these states are citizens of Russia, Mironov said, “Our country must ensure their security and prevent a recurrence of the Tskhinval tragedy.”...
I never doubted Russian reports that appeared at RIA Novosti, in the very first days of the war by the way, that there was a reason for the actions with Georgia. Medvedev is NOT that much further from Putin. Putin was progressive. The 'good' relations between the USA and Russia has deteriorated with the Bush Executive Branch, especially since ignoring any findings by the UN Security Council regarding the invasion of Iraq.
