[The following analysis arrived today in my mailbox from a frequent reader, well known to us for his acerbic wit. As usual, he wishes to remain anonymous, but it seemed that this one was worth sharing. – Editor] In his “state of the federation” speech, Medvedev hurled out a clear challenge to the new American administration: Russia will prepare a full retaliation if plans go forward to build anti-ballistic missile shield sites in Poland and the Czech Republic, beginning with the deployment of missiles in the Kaliningrad exclave. This is a clear message that Russia has no intention of backing off on the aggressive foreign policy positions it has adopted in recent months, and that there is nothing on the negotiating table for discussion with the new American administration. Take it or leave it. Or, perhaps, a more insolent “whatcha gonna do about it?”