Political repression escalates in Russia
By Pavel Felgenhauer
The Kremlin remained uncertain about whether US President, Barack Obama, would manage to push through the lame-duck Senate session the ratification of the new START III. There was fear in Moscow that if the arms treaty was postponed until the spring of 2011, the new Senate with a reduced Democratic majority may never ratify it. START III allows both the US and Russia to have 700 deployed strategic delivery systems – intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM’s) and long-range strategic bombers. But, Russia today already has only 500 to 550 strategic delivery systems left and in the future may have even less, as its Cold War arsenal has deteriorated while its dilapidated defense industry has failed to produce enough replacements (Vedomosti, December 24). The treaty was seen as vitally important as a means to ensure the US also reduces its nuclear capabilities and a credible balance of deterrence is maintained that must guarantee the West shall not have any chance to sway Russia’s internal politics or its relations with its neighbors.
