The world is justifiably concerned about a nuclear capable Iran, but the Islamic Republic’s prime ally, the Russian Federation, is putting into active service a weapon with more destructive capability than Tehran could ever dream of possessing. While Iran’s main target is America’s ally Israel, Moscow still aims its atomic weaponry primarily at the United States.
As budget cuts place ever greater limitations on American deterrence, Moscow – and its allies — are forging ahead in their construction of an ever greater military capability.
Russia’s newest nuclear ballistic submarine, the Yury Dolgoruky, is symbolic of the continuing progress which Moscow and its allies are making in their determination to end America’s role as the last powerful defender of human freedom in the world. The Yury Dolgoruky will enter full service in the Russian fleet in the second quarter of 2012.
The Yury Dolgoruky is named after a Russian hero-prince credited with the founding of Moscow and the conqueror of the rival state of Kiev (in the present Ukraine). Yury Dolgoruky, Yury “the long arm,” was also revered in the Soviet era, but while the Soviets honored Dolgoruky with statues, Moscow today remembers this Russian hero with a weapon capable of launching 16 ballistic missiles, each carrying warheads (MRVS – multiple re-entry vehicles) capable of devastating10 separate targets. Six cruise missiles are also on board.
The Yury Dolgoruky is the first of the new Borei (North Wind) class of ballistic submarines replacing earlier Soviet-era subs. Although the United States still has the edge in nuclear submarine numbers and effectiveness, Moscow and its allies are demonstrating the will to challenge the United States, but America seems unaware of this multi-national assertion of new-found strength.
For the United States, the period from initial design to implementation of a new major weapons system can take decades. A new model nuclear submarine, for instance, will take about 20 years from drawing board to sea launch, according to Rick Norris, a former U.S. intelligence analyst with over two decades of experience.
Norris, however, is more alarmed at the small and ageing number of individuals who can design weapons systems for America’s future needs. Norris informed International News Analysis Today that the shrinking and ageing number of U.S. weapons designers “is of significant concern to our strategic planners and is a current topic under discussion, if not at the highest levels, at least at intermediate military strategic planning levels.”
It is at the “intermediate military strategic planning” levels where scientific development meets military requirements and realities.
American weapons design is increasingly dependent on foreign scientists working in the U.S., in large part because mathematics, physics, and related sciences are deemphasized in the American educational system, Norris stated.
While Moscow has its problems in design and implementation, governmental commitment at the highest levels is not one of them. But, for many in the U.S. government, and those influencing the mass media – liberal and conservative — Moscow remains a post-Cold War stereotype: a weak nation and an insignificant player on the world scene.
Little is heard about Russia except as an investment opportunity. One investment manager recently observed with exited anticipation regarding Russia’s profit potential, “Russia warrants attention…From an investment standpoint in the big emerging markets, we prefer Russia. Yes, they have a lot of energy and basic materials, but what we really like about Russia long term is the fact that they still have a very good technological base and scientific background.”
Unlike the present situation in the U.S., Moscow is using its “very good technological base and scientific background” to support its military and once again become a world power.
In addition to submarines, the Russian modernization program includes other surface ships, jet fighters, tanks, small arms, and an overhaul of the command and control structure. Moscow’s espionage agencies are in full attack mode, and both American and British counterintelligence services have stated that Russian spying has reached Cold War levels.
Moscow is not limiting its activities to the terrestrial realm. The head of the Russian General Staff, General Nicholi Makarov, publically stated that Russia must be prepared to fight a war in outer space. Makarov also urged the development of cyber warfare capabilities.
How much Moscow is spending on its military development remains a mystery, even to many Russian experts, according to a recent article in a noted online Russian news source.
Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the “democratic” Russian Federation has assisted to the best of its ability Communist China’s own military modernization program, supplying arms and cadet training. The Peoples Republic of China is now on the verge of launching a blue water navy which eventually will become a very serious threat to the naval forces of the United States and its friends in the Asia-Pacific region, with devastating consequences for free trade and the very existence of independent nations in the area.
Moscow and Beijing are also planning joint ventures in space. Together, Russia and China are also providing important military assistance to North Korea, Venezuela, Cuba, Ecuador, Bolivia, and the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The United States has thus far shown no hint of recognition of the existence of the array of nations acting in concert against us.
In like manner, the U.S. mass media, both liberal and conservative, are content to avoid any discussion of this reality.
The American mass media, again both liberal and conservative, also fail to inform the American people about the totalitarian nature of those who seek a “New World Order” and the end to American strength in the world.
Much less does the mass media address the point of what kind of world will come into being once “democratic” Russia and Communist China develop the power to dictate the kind of world which will exist.
A global darkness threatens, and the mass media is leaving American people uninformed and tragically vulnerable.
Rick Norris is a specialist in terrorist groups worldwide with an emphasis on Middle East and domestic groups, and is a member of HHH Consultants, LLC. Toby Westerman is the editor and publisher of International News Analysis Today as well as a member of HHH Consultants, LLC.
International News Analysis | Copyright 2012