Are we heading toward a second "cold war"?
 
Relations between Russia and the USA are very bad at the moment. Neither side trusts the other and Putin's hand picked new Russian leader Dmitry Medvedev is both firmly in Putin's back pocket and openly hostile to America's goals in the area. The United States seems determined to surround Russia with an anti-missile missile system and incorporate her border states into NATO. This is bound to infuriate Russia as she has traditionally feared being surrounded by hostile or unfriendly nations. Russia seems determined to strike back by embracing our enemies in our own backyard. Russia and Venezuela's leader Chavez have signed a deal for Moscow to help the South American country build a nuclear energy plant and they are currently carrying out military exercises together. This does not bode well for Washington.

Russia under Putin/Medvedev want to re-establish their countries dominance in world affairs and as always prefers to be feared rather than liked. The USA under Bush/Cheney are not helping the situation improve and are pushing Russia to even more drastic actions. Russia has hinted that Cuba could once again be of "interest" to them. That statement has scary overtones.

There is no easy or clear path for the new Obama administration to follow. Russia does not always act in her own best interests and that makes her unpredictable. She may never again have the military might of the old Soviet Union but her military is well trained and well equipped and she remains a formidable adversary. What to do?

Why is the United States so determined to surround Russia with this anti-missile missile system? It may be no threat to Russia but she sees it as one and for her the perception is the reality. Should Obama put an end to this program once he becomes President? Will it help cool relations between Russia and us? Should we stand up to Russian interference in our area of the world or is it just tit for tat and we should expect it?

Russia is one more bubbling pot on Obama's stove about to break into a boil. The prospect of another cold war looms ahead of us on the horizon and someone had better come up with some answers pretty quick. What do you think of the situation?