This month the long-standing resentment against the INF became public in a dramatic fashion. First, on February 7 Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov (later promoted to first deputy prime minister on February 15) announced in the Duma that the INF was "a big mistake", that it "had a negative impact on our security" since it "eliminated a whole class of missiles." Ivanov added, "Having them would not hurt" (Fednews.ru, February 7).
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While the Kremlin rhetoric is today aimed at Washington and its possible strategic missile defense deployments, the true target is the INF. Moscow wants to deploy new missiles that cannot reach the United States, but are designed for neighbors. That was in essence the thrust of Putin's Munich speech, aimed at the West: Accept us as equals and give us at last our sphere of influence within the region. Keep out! Stop poking into our neighborhood -- or we may go ballistic.
Ok, now I know the Bush team has infiltrated the Kremlin.
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