The post-cold war expansion of NATO has brought many former east bloc nations into the fold of American military influence. The securities of these newly independent nations require to be beefed up, but the coming of the Americans to the very threshold of Russia’s sphere of influence has made the Russians openly object to the American military alliance with the east European countries on more than one occasion.

But the latest move by America to install a missile defense shield in Eastern Europe has prompted severe criticism by Russia, which has now made known its plan to station strategic bomber planes in Cuba, close to the heart of America.

The move is broadly seen as a step by Russia to counter the American move. But, to put it in practice would be a great task for the Russians. The infuriated Russian military officers want to make Cuba a base for their long-range bombers that carry nuclear weapons. The military wants Kremlin to act and send strategic bombers to Cuba as an answer to American missile defense shield over Eastern Europe.

Russia strongly opposes the installation of a radar station in the Czech Republic and the deployment of interceptor missiles in Poland. American explanations about the need for such actions in the face of missile threats from rogue states like Iran, and its assurances about posing no threat to Russia do not sound agreeable to the Russians.

When the US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice signed an agreement with the Czech Republic this month, Russian President Medvedev spoke of “retaliatory steps with military-technical methods”.

The Russian newspaper Izvestia quoted Defense Ministry sources and said Russian crews of long-range bombers have recently visited Cuba to finalize a landing strip for the bombers’ refuelling center.

The paper also said facilities in Venezuela are also being considered with its president agreeing to step up military cooperation with Russia this week when he visited Moscow.

The Tu-95 Bear (Tupolev) bombers have been in the service of Soviet and later in Russian air force since the late 1940s. There are several variants and versions. The range of these strategic long-range bombers exceed 12,000 kilometers and their payload capacity is a staggering 11,000kg (24,250 lb).

The Russian move has met with severe criticism in the American military circles, with the US General Norton Schwartz, who has been nominated as the new air force chief, saying,

Placing Russian bombers in Cuba crosses a red line for the United States of America.

He continued,

I would certainly offer the best military advice that we engage the Russians not to pursue that approach.

The present crisis is in many ways reminiscent of the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 when John F. Kennedy stood firm like a rock against the plan of Soviet Union to station missiles in the island country and prevented the Soviets from carrying out the plan. The threat of an imminent nuclear war was averted as Khrushchev agreed for talks, finally.

A prudent step is called for from the American side to preclude any chances of worsening of the situation as well as to establish trust between the two major powers of the world.

Via: Times Online284469