Activated US European Missile Defense System Targets Russia

by Stephen Lendman

Reckless US rage for dominance risks possible global war, making two earlier ones look mild by comparison - potential nuclear confrontation threatening humanity's survival if launched.

America's so-called missile defense shield is intended solely for offense, not defense. Washington claiming otherwise is a ruse. No justifiable threat warrants its deployment.

Putin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow is acting appropriately in response, explaining "the question is not whether measures will be taken or not. (They're) being taken to maintain Russia's security at the necessary level."

Deploying and activating America's anti-missile defense system "poses a (direct) threat to Russia." Putin earlier asked who it targeted.

Washington said Iran despite the Islamic Republic threatening no one. On Thursday, the first US-led NATO's missile shield was activated at a remote Deveselu, Romania air base.

Defense Secretary Ashton Carter's NATO representative Robert Bell hyped a nonexistent Iranian threat, saying "(w)e now have the capability to protect (Alliance members) in Europe."

He lied, claiming deployment is responding to Tehran increased military capability, adding "(t)he system is not aimed against Russia."

Moscow knows otherwise. Defense Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called "the destructive activity of the US and its allies related to air defense systems a direct threat to regional security and stability."

Construction of a second site in Poland is expected to be completed in 2018, giving NATO land-based offensive capability masquerading as missile defense along with its sea-based deployments and troop buildup along Russia's borders.

What's going on is nothing new, Peskov explained. "All of our agencies (involved in) maintaining the country's defenses and security are familiar with" aggressive US plans.

Moscow calls deploying America's so-called missile shield a Reagan era 1987 INF Treaty violation, a period of East/West rapprochement now gone. 

The system has medium-range Tomahawk cruise missile launch capability able to strike Russia's heartland - precisely what it's intended for despite Washington claiming otherwise.

Pentagon planners want Romania and Poland to be cruise missile launching pads targeting Russia. In June 2002, the Bush administration unilaterally withdrew from the 1972 ABM Treaty.

It banned development and deployment of antiballistic missile systems now activated in Romania, coming to Poland and likely elsewhere.

They pose a major threat to world peace. Neocons infesting Washington risk WW III.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. 

His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III."

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com. 

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