It just gets better and better with Obama, doesn't it?
Bestselling author and national defense expert Bill Gertz's column in the Washington Times tells the whole story of how Russia is using the Obama administration’s eagerness to conclude a missile defense deal as leverage to obtain advanced U.S. missile defense technology.
What the Russians are after is a defense technology cooperation agreement that will get them access to America's advanced hit-to-kill missile defense system, the key technology for our most current strategic long-range and tactical short-range defense systems.That's why they made a sudden U-turn in opposing US missile Defense systems.
The Russians love the idea of a 'swap' because they have have very little to throw into the mix except its strategic anti-missile interceptors around Moscow are armed with nuclear warheads — a system that is years behind Hit-to-Kill technology-wise and a likely target in future arms reduction talks based on Obama's START treaty anyway:
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The notion that Moscow will share sensor data also is doubtful. Missile defense experts say Russia’s key radar are designed and deployed to detect U.S. submarine-launched missiles and are not useful in detecting Iranian missile launches, the main goal of the administration’s European-based missile defense plan.
Moscow also has problems getting U.S. technology because current law limits the transfer of technology under U.S. anti-proliferation law, specifically related to Iran, that bars Russia's government from access to U.S. high-tech exports based on its past and ongoing arms proliferation to Iran.
The Obama administration is loosening export controls as part of a major reform effort, and administration arms-control officials, including Undersecretary of State Ellen Tauscher, are hoping the reforms will make it easier to reach her long-sought goal of concluding a missile defense or defense technology deal with Moscow.
“It’s the perfect storm: loosened export controls, reset with Russia and arms control fever by the administration,” said one official concerned about the pending Russian technology cooperation.
The Pentagon is said to be lukewarm at best over missile defense cooperation because of concerns the technology will be used to counter U.S. systems or sold covertly to U.S. adversaries.
Ms. Tauscher did not respond to emails seeking comment, and her spokesman, Jonathan E. Kaplan, declined to comment.
Ms. Tauscher, undersecretary of state for international security, told a conference Monday that talks with Russia on missile defense cooperation were progressing but that a final agreement was not assured.
According to the U.S. officials, Russians close to the government stated in recent talks that their main interest in any U.S. deal is getting access to military technology generally and missile-defense know how specifically.
The interest in U.S. technology followed a sharp turnaround in Moscow policy several months ago, when the Russians said they were no longer opposed to U.S. missile defenses. The Russian military hopes its engagement and a missile defense agreement will lead to obtaining strategic hit-to-kill missile technology.
Hit-to-kill involves ultra-high-speed, non-explosive guided warheads that destroy targets such as missile warheads in flight — by slamming into them.
Un-freaking-believable. And Prez Zero's supporters have the nerve call Sarah Palin stupid? I guarantee you she's a lot smarter than this.
At this point, the Republicans could run Daffy Duck in 2012 and I'd probably vote for him over Obama. Seriously.
