>I could be wrong but let's see what happens. As I've said in a previous post, Obama could be a great president if he goes into this with an open mind and open eyes. If he gets tangled up in ideology, the way Clinton did in '93 and Carter did in '77 he might go down in flames because the country routinely detests hard swings to the right or left.
>
>What worries me is that Russia is already pushing the envelope, thinking they have a weak adversary. Can't say I didn't see this coming but Obama needs to stand up to them.

Nuclear standoff in 21 century ? I don't think so.
Whole 'situation' was created by Bush administration (x-cuse language) deurinating and deploying various 'land mines'
along no longer existing 'iron curtain' (as in new MDS, army bases, NATO expansion etc in eastern Europe) hoping to (re)make and reinforce that Iron curtain as something real, well demarkated and important again. Don't theeeey miss 'good old' cold war days... {vbg}

But that will be hopefully scrapped all together as completely backward and outdated.
I believe Obama have enough brain and stamina to abandon this shipwreck of a policy, and offer better direction.
Such is promoting peace and stability via diplomatic efforts and collaboration (rather then confrontation) with no longer a foe
but friend in new democratic Russia. (and the rest of the world for that matter)

Since they were expanding NATO and building new bases etc,
Would'nt it be both cheaper and more productive security wise, to simply invite & admit Russia to Nato pact instead ?? {g}

Peace :)