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© UnknownU.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter: "This is my angry face, Russia!"

Pentagon head Ashton Carter says Washington not seeking new Cold War, but adapting 'operational posture' to deal with new moves by Moscow


Comment: 'Operational posture'?? More like 'assuming the position'.


The United States is adapting its "operational posture" to counter Russian aggression, Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said Saturday.

Carter on Saturday accused Russia of endangering world order, citing its incursions in Ukraine and loose talk about nuclear weapons, and said the U.S. defense establishment is searching for creative ways to deter Russian aggressive and protect US allies.

"We are adapting our operational posture and contingency plans as we - - on our own and with allies - - work to deter Russia's aggression, and to help reduce the vulnerability of allies and partners," Carter told a defense forum at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California.

Carter said the United States was modernizing its nuclear arsenal, investing in new technologies such as drones and a new long-range bomber, as well as lasers, an electromagnetic railgun and new systems for electronic warfare.


Comment: They've got all that crap already. What Carter really wants to say is, "We're so spitting mad at you Russia for messing up our plans in Syria that we're thinking of using our electromagnetic railguns on you -- then you'll be really sorry! Our railguns really hurt - you'll see you no-good-Commies! Just you wait!!"


The defense chief hinted at additional new weapons that would be "surprising ones I really can't describe here."


Comment: OOOOOOH. A silent awe must have captured the stupefied audience at the very thought of such special weapons. "Carter can't even mention what they are! Those weapons will fix the Russkies for good! Those R&D boys know what they're doing!"


Additionally, "we're updating and advancing our operational plans for deterrence and defense given Russia's changed behavior," Carter said.


Comment: Now it's "Russia's changed behavior"? The only thing that's changed is the extent to which Russia has lifted the veil and exposed the U.S.'s charade of "fighting terrorism" in Syria -- that and the U.S. threatening to use its nasty railgun on them.


Carter also expressed concern about China's expanding influence and growing military might. But he reserved his stronger words for Russia.

Carter said Russia is undertaking "challenging activities" at sea, in the air, in space and in cyberspace.

"Most disturbing, Moscow's nuclear saber-rattling raises questions about Russian leaders' commitment to strategic stability, their respect for norms against the use of nuclear weapons, and whether they respect the profound caution nuclear-age leaders showed with regard to the brandishing of nuclear weapons," he said.


Comment: Another classic textbook case of pathological projection; the U.S. being horribly guilty of exactly what it accuses Russia of.


His remarks were perhaps the strongest he has expressed about America's former Cold War foe.

"We do not seek a cold, let alone a hot, war with Russia," he said. "We do not seek to make Russia an enemy. But make no mistake; the United States will defend our interests, our allies, the principled international order, and the positive future it affords us all."


Comment: This should more accurately read: "We are seeking to bring Russia to its knees. Russia is Geopolitical Enemy #1 just as our ideological papa Zbigniew Brzezinski has told us. But make no mistake; no matter how stupid and confused we look right now, the United States will use any and all means at its disposal to bring down the enemy Russia which will insure a positive future for the Empire." Wishful thinking indeed.


The backdrop to Carter's remarks is the reality that after more than two decades of dominating great-power relations, the United States is seeing Russia reassert itself and China expand its military influence beyond its own shores. Together these trends are testing American preeminence and its stewardship of the world order.

Carter cited several pillars of the international order that he argued should be defended and strengthened: peaceful resolution of disputes, freedom from coercion, respect for state sovereignty, and freedom of navigation.


Comment: Yeah, the U.S. tools for which have been: false flags, coups, fifth columns, propaganda lies, proxy armies, illegal wars, etc...


"Some actors appear intent on eroding these principles and undercutting the international order that helps enforce them," he said. "Terror elements like ISIL, of course, stand entirely opposed to our values. But other challenges are more complicated, and given their size and capabilities, potentially more damaging."

"Of course, neither Russia nor China can overturn that order," he said. "But both present different challenges for it."


Comment: Russia and China were overturning that "order" as he spoke. And continue to do so.


He accused Russia of stirring trouble in Europe and the Middle East.

"In Europe, Russia has been violating sovereignty in Ukraine and Georgia and actively trying to intimidate the Baltic states," he said. "Meanwhile, in Syria, Russia is throwing gasoline on an already dangerous fire, prolonging a civil war that fuels the very extremism Russia claims to oppose."


Comment: Actually, it's the U.S.'s sending to Syria of additional advisors 'on the ground,' and air to air fighter planes to Turkey that threatens to blow the whole thing up in the U.S.'s face. If Russia and Syria are left strictly alone from now on the whole mess will eventually get corrected! Of course the U.S. won't have Syria to control because Assad will stay, but then they'll be able to cut their losses at least. But they won't do that - they won't be happy until they can plant 'Old Glory', the U.S. flag, in Red Square...


Carter made clear that Russia is at the forefront of Washington's concern about evolving security threats.

Russia under President Vladimir Putin is challenging the US in many arenas, including the Arctic, where last year Moscow said it was reopening 10 former Soviet-era military bases along the Arctic seaboard that were closed after the Cold War ended in 1991. Russia also is flying more long-range air patrols off US shores.


Comment: Never mind the gazillion NATO military bases that the U.S. has surrounded Russia with over the past fifteen years.


Carter left open the possibility that Russia's role in Syria could evolve into one the US can embrace.

"It is possible - we'll see - Russia may play a constructive role in resolving the civil war," he said.


Comment: Good lord! They should stop pretending that they're interested in taking some kind of reasonable position towards Russia for goodness sake! Half the world knows by now that they won't be happy until Russia is on its knees and has submitted to U.S. vassalage status. They need to get over it. But we know that that ain't gonna happen since they have mush for brains.


In a question-and-answer session with his audience, Carter said he believes Putin "hasn't thought through very thoroughly" his objectives in Syria. He called the Russian approach there "way off track."


Comment: Wow, it's clear that this whole talk at the Reagan Library is, in actuality, a cheerleading session for Empire isn't it? They must be so demoralized! Because anyone who is a part of the U.S. hegemanical apparatus (that has two neurons firing) knows that not only has Putin thought through Russia's actions in Syria, but that Russia is several steps ahead of the U.S.! So Carter is basically saying: "There there guys, it's not as bad as all that". But, of course, it is.


In his speech, Carter said the US will take a balanced approach by working with Moscow when productive and appropriate.


Comment: Yeah. Sure. Right. They'll go send Kerry to talk to Lavrov until their new plan is formulated. And they'll make sure to remind Kerry to sound as sincere as possible of course.


Carter was addressing key US politicians and figures from the defense sector at the Reagan National Defense Forum, hosted by the Reagan library in Simi Valley.

Article via ap and afp