Is there any way to interpret pulling out of the INF treaty

[Scooter]

...as anything other than a gift to Putin?

[rubato]

It is mostly a political 'gift' which Putin will use to improve his domestic image as a "tough leader" who can stick it in the eye of the US. He knows that Russians will accept reduced civil rights and a worse economy as long s they can believe that they are a "superpower". Interesting contrast to the Nordic countries all of whom know they are not superpowers and yet have a higher std of living than any country who is.


yrs,
rubato

[Burning Petard]

Those Nordic countries have discovered the 'peace dividend' when there is general agreement to not even try to be the world's leading producer of guns AND butter.

snailgate