Of course it's more than a 'surveillance mission.' It is an act of aggression, aimed at letting the world know Russia is back in the game. It's perfectly legal, and I think good on Russia for doing it. It's a much more effective way of getting the message across than running to the U.N.

It actually seems like the Russians are testing our defenses to sewe how far they can push and what the responce will be. Its like they're preparing for an invasion - it's mad.

It's obvious that they're pushing us to see how we'd retaliate, think of what the British response would be like if they had moved a few more miles and actually entered our airspace

[edit on 6-9-2007 by dan118]

Looks like the Ruskies have saved enough air miles to put a bit of avgas in their old bears!! no? oh well, I thought it was funny.

I would like to know if either side has a way of 100% determining if an aircraft is or is not carrying nukes. But I really doubt their would be any sort of universal detector cos the things will be shielded against leaking radiation for loads of reasons. Plus would you trust a negative reading?

I suppose the nukes would have trackers for if the things were misplaced tho.

The whole reason we are where we are now is down to one man and one event Adolf Hitler and WW2.

See when he was finally defeated there was a huge power vacuem this worried the leaders of the U.K and U.S.A at the time a great deal.

Even tho it was a time for celebration for the public. In reality the leader's of the U.K and U.S.A were aware that there was a much greater problem for them.

How to control Russia now that it was in a key position in europe a very powerfull position.

Ok then we had our next problem the cold war (KEEP THAT SHORT).

And now finally it appear's that Russia is taking some form of stance some form of childish act to see how far they can push it.

Let's face it if i was the leader of Russia and maybe i knew the actual state of my country i might think hay i have nothing to loose and a lot to gain.

That is just my opinion and in the end it all come's down to one man and one event Adolf Hitler and WW2.

Regard's
Lee

Originally posted by dodgygeeza
It actually seems like the Russians are testing our defenses to sewe how far they can push and what the responce will be. Its like they're preparing for an invasion - it's mad.

An unsuccesful one at that and highly unlikely. For starters they cannot mobilize there army and secondly they would have to tread through Europe and that is not going to happen. IMO its just the Russians sulking and generally being a pain in the ass

[edit on 6-9-2007 by OnTheFence]

Originally posted by neformoreTo be honest, I'm suprised at how "suprised" some people seem to be about this.

Nefermore, If I had to guess, I'd say most of those who are surprised were born after 1975 or thereabouts.

Originally posted by darkbluesky

Originally posted by neformoreTo be honest, I'm suprised at how "suprised" some people seem to be about this.

Nefermore, If I had to guess, I'd say most of those who are surprised were born after 1975 or thereabouts.

Well I was born a long time before 1975 yet I was surprised they sent 8 bombers over

Originally posted by darkbluesky

Originally posted by neformoreTo be honest, I'm suprised at how "suprised" some people seem to be about this.

Nefermore, If I had to guess, I'd say most of those who are surprised were born after 1975 or thereabouts.

It was happening up to the late 80's then the russians began to run out of money and resources. Now under putin there military has been reformed and they are just making a statement basically saying hey we control your gas, we are back in the game and we aint taking no more s**t

[edit on 6-9-2007 by OnTheFence]

I was born well after 1975 but I'm not terribly surprised, threatened or alarmed. The "West" never stopped monitoring via air and sea assets Russian exercises and or territories; in fact we do it a lot more than them. However our actions don't usually get the attention of the media nor would they be portrayed in a bad light. The Russians are resuming an old and highly choreographed routine due to being in better financial (and therefore) military shape. Not to mention the rising influence and encroachment of NATO into what usually was Russia's sphere of influence. These missions are meant to send a political and symbolic message more than anything else. They are not preparation for an attack or war. If anything it solidifies and rejuvenates NATO therefore heightening our overall readiness level.

I meant no offense to anyone under 32 years. I was just pointing out that most folks born after '75 (excepting history students and USMA grads) have no clear memories or knowledge of all the cold war cat and mouse games.

Whether it be Russians, Iranians, or whatnot, the US will in the near future, experience war on its on doorstep. It feels like people in the US see war as a videogame of sorts, outside of their reality. But they continue to eat dinner while newsreels show that 15 people died in a car bomb blast. 9/11 was a changing point in that it was terror not really experienced. Watch this space, more to come. The US will feel it, make no mistake, but its funny seeing some of the people on this board adamant that no matter what the US will take care of it. Wake up and smell the ashes...reality isn't just a show on TV.