On October 2nd, the United States ambassador to NATO, Kay Bailey Hutchison, warned Russia that the U.S. would "take out" their missile if they did not halt the development of their new cruise missile. Hutchison repeatedly implied that the U.S. would launch a preemptive against Russia saying, “The countermeasures would be to take out the missiles that are in development by Russia in violation of the treaty.” An hour later on Twitter, Hutchison clarifies her statement.
The issue is that Hutchison claims that the U.S. would launch defense missile to counter the Russian missiles. However it becomes dangerous for Russia when the U.S. is able to convert defensive missiles into offensive missiles.
Last year Russia secretly deployed a ground-launched cruise missile and was considered by Washington to have violated the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF). The existence of the missile was known back in 2008, however, in 2014 the Obama administration announced that it had violated the INF treaty. Moscow denies these claims.
Was Hutchison’s statement just a mistake on her choice of words? Do you think what she said could cause further conflict with Russia? After all the evidence suggesting that Russia is developing and testing a missile, Russia still denies them. Do you think the evidence is true or do you believe that Russia is telling the truth?
https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/02/us-ambassador-nato-russia-kay-bailey-hutchison
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/checkpoint/wp/2017/02/15/this-is-the-ground-launched-cruise-missile-that-russia-has-reportedly-just-deployed/?utm_term=.888d930654d4
https://www.armscontrolwonk.com/archive/1206014/if-you-say-kay/
I think Russia most likely is developing a missile just because I would think that it would probably be a safety net in case there ever is any major conflicts or nuclear war that they would be prepared and ahead of the game. I think the US probably is secretly developing their own weapons as well so it would not be improbable that Russia would do that.
ReplyDeleteI definitely believe that with the prior tension between the United States and Russia, this incident definitely had the effect of re-inciting hostility and defense between the two powers, which may end in escalated conflict.
ReplyDeleteIt's incredible how just a couple of words could've started a nuclear war. It was a good thing that it didn't. However, the people at NATO really need to consider the impact that their statements have and take extra precaution when making one. Hopefully this does not cause further conflict and it gets sorted out.
ReplyDeleteI think that as a representative of the United States and US Ambassador to NATO, Hutchison has a responsibility to be cautious about what she says. If she accidentally threatens Russia with a nuclear war, then she may not be competent for the role she is currently in.
ReplyDeleteIt's things like this that really make me question our government and the choices it makes, why must everything be about the US being on top? If we really are on top, then I worry for the world as a whole, because we have way many problems and very few solutions, even fewer that are actually good.
ReplyDelete-Peachey
@esther
ReplyDeleteI agree I think both sides have their own just in-case there is any conflict between both countries. Since there is already growing tension between the two it doesn't seem unlikely that even a small conflict could occur.
Her choice of words was a mistake because it can be understood as a threat rather than a suggestion. She's making Russia more defensive and suspicious about the alliance with the US. Russia is not telling the truth because they are known to sneak around and have minor rivalries with the US
ReplyDeleteI think that Hutchison could have phrased her statement differently. This is because by saying that the US would "take out" their missile in response to the violation of the INF, she is further aggravating the situation. I agree with other people (this could increase the tension between US and Russia).
ReplyDeleteHer choice of words could definitely called increase tensions between Russia and the US. If the US had enough strong evidence, I would believe that Russia is bluffing.
ReplyDeleteHutchison’s statement could definitely cause more conflicts with Russia. She should be more cautious with her choice of word. I believe that Russia is developing and testing a missile.
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