Defense Official: Russia Has Short Range Missiles in South Ossetia

[volinbham]

And what can we make painful for them? I'm not being rhetorical or setting you guys up -- I'm clueless as to what we can really do to hurt Russia (economically or politically). Where do they depend on us? Where can we exert any sort of pressure on them that they would care?

The G-8 has been mentioned. We can fast track NATO membership for others in the region (Ukraine in particular). There are various economic sanctions and removal of banking access that can thwart their economic goals.

Overall, we can try to isolate them more.

 

[notverycrucial]

It should. Obama would do well to add foreign policy/military to his ticket.

I agree. Biden or Bayh would fit that bill -- or maybe Wesley Clark. Still, I don't think VP will make that big of a difference for either candidate.

 

[KB5252]

I agree. Biden or Bayh would fit that bill -- or maybe Wesley Clark. Still, I don't think VP will make that big of a difference for either candidate.

I think it would make Obama a more attractive ticket. Sad thing is a good portion of Obama's base will not understand the implications of Russia's actions. At least the college and young adults portion of it may not I'm afraid.

 

[notverycrucial]

I think it would make Obama a more attractive ticket. Sad thing is a good portion of Obama's base will not understand the implications of Russia's actions. At least the college and young adults portion of it may not I'm afraid.

Well, I'm not sure either side can claim ownership of this issue yet. It's dominated the news for over a week now, yet I feel I'm getting less smart about it every day.

 

[OrangeEmpire]

 

[Chemvol]

What does this even mean? Is this about Antarctica?

I don't know about Antarctica. Russia recently did some sea floor mapping in the Arctic, undoubtedly to bolster a claim on the area's resources.