Obama: Nuclear blast a bigger concern than Russia

[The Straight Story]

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — President Barack Obama says he's more concerned about the prospect of a nuclear weapon exploding in New York City than Russia's recent actions and called President Vladimir Putin's country "a regional power."

During a news conference Tuesday, a reporter asked Obama whether his opponent in the last presidential campaign, Mitt Romney, had a point when he described Russia as America's top geopolitical foe. At the time, Obama criticized that characterization. Since then, Russia has annexed Crimea.

"With respect to Mr. Romney's assertion that Russia is our No. 1 geopolitical foe, the truth of the matter is that America has got a whole lot of challenges. Russia is a regional power that is threatening some of its immediate neighbors not out of strength, but out of weakness," Obama said at the conclusion of a nuclear security summit.

He later said Russia's actions were a problem but didn't pose the top national security threat to the United States.

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/obama-nuclear-blast-bigger-concern-russia

[Fumesucker]

1. To be entirely fair

It's a region that has nine time zones.

[defacto7]

2. and if it were centered at the equator

that would make it a damn big island. How many time zones does Antarctica have? Well, I'm not too worried about the Antarctican army as much.

[steve2470]

3. 24 time zones I think

but I've never seen them formally laid out on a map of Antarctica. I would think they would all converge on the geographic south pole.

eta:



I counted 11, my bad.

[Hekate]

4. Why do I get the feeling he's messing with Putin's mind?

Hmmmmmm.

[Junkdrawer]

6. The PTB underestimated Russia. Russia now has the Crimea and direct access to thier Black Sea ports

but Russia is acting out of weakness...doncha know.

[Hekate]

7. Based on watching Rachel Maddow tonight, she seems to see it my way

Just sayin'

Somehow I don't think Obama underestimates the old KGB thug at all, at all.

[Junkdrawer]

10. Obama <> The PTB (aka the Deep State).....

Obama has largely been reacting to events set up by powers on both sides beyond his control.

Rachel Maddow has, for the most part, lost me a long time ago - especially on foreign policy matters.

[okaawhatever]

8. Russia had to take by force what it couldn't obtain diplomatically. Considering a few countries

have larger military might, and could have countered him if they wanted to, I wouldn't call that strength. Other countries, including the US, UK, Germany and even the Ukraine lost the battle to win the war. When all the long-term consequences have played out we'll see who is strong and who is weak.

[TomClash]

5. Except

Russia is capable of exploding a nuclear weapon in New York City.

[Cali_Democrat]

9. And

The US is capable of exploding a nuclear weapon in Moscow.

[TomClash]

11. You missed the point

That's why Russia is a threat, just like a nuclear terrorist.