(All quotes from this article):
Russia has decided to place new missiles near Poland. In the same speech where Medvedev argued for greater powers for Russia's president (a dangerous move in a place where democracy is daily falling by the wayside), he also stated that Russia was deploying these new missiles. But, he went two steps further.
1) In addition to deploying their own missiles, Russia also said this, "Equipment to electronically hamper the operation of prospective U.S. missile defense facilities in Poland and the Czech Republic will be deployed, he said."
2) He specifically linked this action to Obama:
"He announced deployment of the short-range missiles as a military response to U.S. plans to deploy missile-defense facilities in Poland and the Czech Republic — former Soviet satellites that are now NATO members.
Speaking just hours after Obama was declared the victor in the U.S. presidential election, Medvedev said he hoped the incoming administration will take steps to improve badly damaged U.S. ties with Russia. He suggested it is up to the U.S. — not the Kremlin — to seek to improve relations."
The President-elect should be tough on Russia. He should explain that it is *not* the fault of the US that Russia feels threatened. Russia is threatened because its nearest neighbors, former Soviet republics, do not want to be under a Russia umbrella. They choose to pursue NATO membership because it benefits them. Further, the US needs to deploy missile defenses in Eastern Europe and Central Asia because renegate republics (such as Iran), which derive some support from Russia, have been allowed to menace the world.
Finally, Obama should take a lesson from Bush. Bush genuinely tried to be a friend to the Russians in his first several years in office. In this, he was betrayed. Obama should not make the same mistake. With oil prices down right now, Russia's strategic position in the world is weakened. The US should not let up on its pressure.
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