Issues Under Fire: Russia Announces New Nuclear Missile Capability: U.S. Response Muted
It's been a week now since Vladimir Putin announced Russia's latest nuclear-powered missile system. During his annual speech to the Russian people highlighting a positive and prosperous future, he also used the opportunity to place the West on notice, that Russia was not to be messed with. Revealing an indefensible nuclear-powered missile system, Putin touted its ability to deliver a nuclear warhead anywhere on the planet. According to Vladimir Putin, no distance is too far and no target can be defended. He described Russia's nuclear powered intercontinental missiles and torpedo systems as "invincible". And the U.S.' response? Hardly a peep. Why? That's what you should want to know!
Now I understand how Americans find themselves captivated by the buxom blue-eyed blonde threatening to tell all about her sexual affair with Donald Trump. The mainstream media prioritized this sex-pot story as the story to follow. Sex sells. I get that. But the U.S. Congress just authorized nearly $800 billion dollars in defense spending for the next year and virtually no one is publicly explaining to the American people how all that money can't protect the so-called Homeland from such a blatant threat. But even more concerning is how Russia could develop these incredibly lethal weapon systems on a shoestring budget compared to U.S. defense spending. Something is wrong with this picture and to date, no one is even asking for an explanation.
One would think a few pointed questions regarding Russia's military advancements and how the United States planned to counter those advancements to place Americans at ease would be asked and answered. After all, the West has been told in no uncertain terms, Russia could f*ck us up and we couldn't stop them. And they can do it on the cheap. Some are saying the Russians could be bluffing, but this observer would be hard-pressed to agree. A mere cursory review of every Russian military engagement over the last 10 years will reveal nothing but favorable outcomes. From the Russo-Georgian conflict in 2008 to the taking of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 to Russia's continued dominance in Syria today, they're achieving their goals. However, with trillions spent over the same time period, the U.S. can't tout one major military success.
So my questions are, what is all the money being spent on? Where does it really go? Who's getting the contracts to build U.S. defense systems? Why do they cost so much more than what other nations are spending for the same, if not better, systems? Turkey, a NATO member, is being chastised by NATO for purchasing Russia's S-400 anti-missile system. This is the same product Russia deployed in Syria. And, this same system proved its worth when it took down an Israeli F-16 last month, as it flew a mission within Syria's airspace. The system is not only a game changer in the region, but it's affordable. All that said, if the U.S. does find itself in an arms race, the smart money says Russia will win that too. Putin has already proven Russia can build bigger, better and more lethal weapons at a fraction of the cost the U.S. can. And that's an unacceptable mystery.
Bottom line: If this post was merely about out of control military spending on the U.S. military-industrial complex, perhaps it wouldn't have struck such a chord with me. But this story is so much bigger than that. When Vladimir Putin gave his state of the nation address, he reassured the Russian people Russia's military buildup would not come at the expense of the quality of their lives. Putin is promising to defend his nation and feed the poor at the same time. What a concept! Podcast below.
And by the way, don't wait for the so-called media professionals to ask these question. Write your political representatives and see what they say.
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