The United States has won. We have missile defense capability which makes MAD obsolete (close to obsolete). This may actually be seen by some as a declaration of war against Russia.
Imagine for a moment that we were 100% sure that Russia's nuclear ICBMs and nuclear submarines could not strike it's targets. What could prevent us from dictating to Russia (or any state for that matter) it's foreign and domestic policy?
Especially given the fight over resources in the Caspian Sea which has already begun, we have struck the first blow without firing a single shot.
Apparently there is nothing Russia can do. It has demanded that the United States cease its missile defense program or risk a military conflict. The United States ignores the warnings. Since February of this year the United States has been in negotiations with Poland, with Poland demanding reassurance that if attacked the United States will protect Poland. Now with the deal formalized, we are at war.
Perhaps it is naive to think we haven't been all along. This could be a decapitating blow to Russia in the battle for resources game we have been playing for the last 20 years. Russia understands this, and like a poker player down to only a few chips may decide to simply push all-in instead of being slowly blinded out.
Now we can do nothing but hold our breaths and hope that Russia does nothing. Let's hope they take this loss because the only other alternative is nuclear war.
The Doomsday clock hand should be moved to 1 minute till midnight in my opinion.
For all the people that still do not see the need for the immediate impeachment of George W. Bush understand that this policy of a missile defense shield is a very aggressive possibly cataclysmic policy. Bush should be immediately impeached, if not for his numerous crimes and atrocities then for this frankly incompetent foreign policy blunder.
If it works though perhaps this alone could salvage his legacy. If it fails and Russia declares war than humanity may be forever changed. Let's all hold our breath and pray.
EDIT: For those doubting the seriousness of this matter listen to these words spoken by the Russian deputy Chief of Staff yesterday:
"Poland, by deploying (the system) is exposing itself to a strike — 100 percent," Nogovitsyn, the deputy chief of staff, was quoted as saying.
He added, in clear reference to the agreement, that Russia's military doctrine sanctions the use of nuclear weapons "against the allies of countries having nuclear weapons if they in some way help them." Nogovitsyn that would include elements of strategic deterrence systems, he said, according to Interfax.