February 6, 2008 By James Kimer

Russia’s Trick-or-Treaty

gorbyreagan020608.jpgWe’ve heard in the past about Russia’s efforts to re-treaty the past, taking advantage of the new oil-and-gas fed leverage by scrapping previous arms and defense agreements with the West, and seeking to establish a new position in global defense capability. Back on Nov. 7, the Duman voted 418-0 (talk about a rubber stamp parliament!) to suspend the Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty (CFE), which although in practical security terms isn’t of enormous concern, most people point to the extraordinary damage that could be done with the sudden removal of basic confidence building mechanisms and oversight. Other Cold War security pacts are coming up to the chopping block also – including a much more frightening possible revision of the Intermediate Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty of 1987.