Which country is the biggest threat to the U.S. or its interests?

[GMantis]

It's Saudi Arabia that's actually most responsible for terrorism. Israel also exercises undue influence on American foreign policy, greatly contributes to anti-American feelings in the Middle East and is therefore indirectly a rather significant threat.
Russia is not a threat to the US. If, however, it's an American interest that all formerly Communist countries are American satelite states, the Russia is certainly a threat to US interests.

[GMantis]

It's Saudi Arabia that's actually most responsible for terrorism. Israel also exercises undue influence on American foreign policy, greatly contributes to anti-American feelings in the Middle East and is therefore indirectly a rather significant threat.
Russia is not a threat to the US. If, however, it's an American interest that all formerly Communist countries are American satelite states, the Russia is certainly a threat to US interests.

Should those states become again russian satellites ? Russia is maybe not a threat for USA, just a threat for freedom.

Russia is not a threat to freedom in neighbouring countries. However, NATO expansion is a threat to Russia.
Frankly, I'm not certain about other Eastern European countries, but when it was a Soviet satelite, Bulgaria had a more independent foreign policy than now. Nor were there any Soviet bases here and Bulgaria wasn't forced to participate in the Soviet war in Afghanistan.

[GMantis]

It's Saudi Arabia that's actually most responsible for terrorism. Israel also exercises undue influence on American foreign policy, greatly contributes to anti-American feelings in the Middle East and is therefore indirectly a rather significant threat.
Russia is not a threat to the US. If, however, it's an American interest that all formerly Communist countries are American satelite states, the Russia is certainly a threat to US interests.

Should those states become again russian satellites ? Russia is maybe not a threat for USA, just a threat for freedom.

Russia is not a threat to freedom in neighbouring countries. However, NATO expansion is a threat to Russia.
Frankly, I'm not certain about other Eastern European countries, but when it was a Soviet satelite, Bulgaria had a more independent foreign policy than now. Nor were there any Soviet bases here and Bulgaria wasn't forced to participate in the Soviet war in Afghanistan.

The people of some eastern-european countries voted. They voted and elected leaders that, being wrong or right - that's not the question -, decided that the best interests for their country was to join the NATO and to follow the American foreign policies whatever they do. I don't like NATO, and consider it as useless since USSR is dead, but Russia hasn't any right to intervent in those country and tell them what they should do. Georgia, Ukraina, etc... are supposed to be free countries. They are free to join the NATO if they want so, and Russia has nothing to say about it.
So, yes, Russia is a threat for the freedom of many eastern-european countries, and above all, it is a threat for the freedom of russian people.

Many countries want to join the EU, but they're not in the EU, are they? It's up to NATO and NATO expansion is harmful to both NATO and its member states. Russia has no influence in Eastern European countries now, while a lot of those countries basically are an extension of the US as far as foreign policy is concerned, even if this is not popular in those countries (for example, 70% of Ukrainians are against NATO membership).

[GMantis]

It's up to NATO and NATO expansion is harmful to both NATO and its member states.

For arguments sake, let us assume that's true....wouldn't that be NATO (and it's members) problem?  If the expansion is harmful to NATO, shouldn't Russia be for expansion?  (or at least apathetic about it)

NATO expansion is harmful for both, since bad relations with Russia don't help either.

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Not for a lack of trying (and I think you forgot Belarus).

What a shock! A great power tries to influences neighbouring countries in which still has many connections, in many of which there is a substantial Russian population and considerable economic interests! Unheard! Unlike, say the US which never interfers in any other countries...
You might want to update your knowledge about Belarus.

[GMantis]

It's Saudi Arabia that's actually most responsible for terrorism. Israel also exercises undue influence on American foreign policy, greatly contributes to anti-American feelings in the Middle East and is therefore indirectly a rather significant threat.
Russia is not a threat to the US. If, however, it's an American interest that all formerly Communist countries are American satelite states, the Russia is certainly a threat to US interests.

Should those states become again russian satellites ? Russia is maybe not a threat for USA, just a threat for freedom.

Russia is not a threat to freedom in neighbouring countries. However, NATO expansion is a threat to Russia.
Frankly, I'm not certain about other Eastern European countries, but when it was a Soviet satelite, Bulgaria had a more independent foreign policy than now. Nor were there any Soviet bases here and Bulgaria wasn't forced to participate in the Soviet war in Afghanistan.

The people of some eastern-european countries voted. They voted and elected leaders that, being wrong or right - that's not the question -, decided that the best interests for their country was to join the NATO and to follow the American foreign policies whatever they do. I don't like NATO, and consider it as useless since USSR is dead, but Russia hasn't any right to intervent in those country and tell them what they should do. Georgia, Ukraina, etc... are supposed to be free countries. They are free to join the NATO if they want so, and Russia has nothing to say about it.
So, yes, Russia is a threat for the freedom of many eastern-european countries, and above all, it is a threat for the freedom of russian people.

Many countries want to join the EU, but they're not in the EU, are they? It's up to NATO and NATO expansion is harmful to both NATO and its member states. Russia has no influence in Eastern European countries now, while a lot of those countries basically are an extension of the US as far as foreign policy is concerned, even if this is not popular in those countries (for example, 70% of Ukrainians are against NATO membership).

Also, for next Ukrainian elections, a candidate will run saying "I'm against NATO", and if the opinion doesn't change and NATO is the only issue, then he will get 70% of the vote. That's what we call "democracy" and that's not the same that Russia invading a country to prevent it joining the NATO.

Which country did Russia invade to stop it from joining NATO?

[GMantis]

I don't think that's what he meant (at least I hope not).  I think he was just using it as an example of a well known international organization.

Yes, that's what I meant.

[GMantis]

NATO expansion is a threat to Russia.

How so?

Placing NATO bases closer to Russia is already an endangerment.

NATO expansion is a threat to Russia.

How so?

Russia has no influence in Eastern European countries now

Surely Russia's ability to turn off much of Europe's energy supply, soemthing they've shown they have no qualms with doing and an area they are increasingly trying to develop their control of, gives them a very important status?

On the other hand, when this happens, the Ukraine simply switches supplies off supplies to the EU, which damages relations between Russia and the EU.

[GMantis]

It's Saudi Arabia that's actually most responsible for terrorism. Israel also exercises undue influence on American foreign policy, greatly contributes to anti-American feelings in the Middle East and is therefore indirectly a rather significant threat.
Russia is not a threat to the US. If, however, it's an American interest that all formerly Communist countries are American satelite states, the Russia is certainly a threat to US interests.

Should those states become again russian satellites ? Russia is maybe not a threat for USA, just a threat for freedom.

Russia is not a threat to freedom in neighbouring countries. However, NATO expansion is a threat to Russia.
Frankly, I'm not certain about other Eastern European countries, but when it was a Soviet satelite, Bulgaria had a more independent foreign policy than now. Nor were there any Soviet bases here and Bulgaria wasn't forced to participate in the Soviet war in Afghanistan.

The people of some eastern-european countries voted. They voted and elected leaders that, being wrong or right - that's not the question -, decided that the best interests for their country was to join the NATO and to follow the American foreign policies whatever they do. I don't like NATO, and consider it as useless since USSR is dead, but Russia hasn't any right to intervent in those country and tell them what they should do. Georgia, Ukraina, etc... are supposed to be free countries. They are free to join the NATO if they want so, and Russia has nothing to say about it.
So, yes, Russia is a threat for the freedom of many eastern-european countries, and above all, it is a threat for the freedom of russian people.

Many countries want to join the EU, but they're not in the EU, are they? It's up to NATO and NATO expansion is harmful to both NATO and its member states. Russia has no influence in Eastern European countries now, while a lot of those countries basically are an extension of the US as far as foreign policy is concerned, even if this is not popular in those countries (for example, 70% of Ukrainians are against NATO membership).

Also, for next Ukrainian elections, a candidate will run saying "I'm against NATO", and if the opinion doesn't change and NATO is the only issue, then he will get 70% of the vote. That's what we call "democracy" and that's not the same that Russia invading a country to prevent it joining the NATO.

Which country did Russia invade to stop it from joining NATO?

Did you ever hear about Georgia ?

You mean the country whose foolish leader invaded a territory under Russian protection? I don't think any other country would do such a thing again or would have an opportunity to do so, for that matter.

[GMantis]

It's Saudi Arabia that's actually most responsible for terrorism. Israel also exercises undue influence on American foreign policy, greatly contributes to anti-American feelings in the Middle East and is therefore indirectly a rather significant threat.
Russia is not a threat to the US. If, however, it's an American interest that all formerly Communist countries are American satelite states, the Russia is certainly a threat to US interests.

Should those states become again russian satellites ? Russia is maybe not a threat for USA, just a threat for freedom.

Russia is not a threat to freedom in neighbouring countries. However, NATO expansion is a threat to Russia.
Frankly, I'm not certain about other Eastern European countries, but when it was a Soviet satelite, Bulgaria had a more independent foreign policy than now. Nor were there any Soviet bases here and Bulgaria wasn't forced to participate in the Soviet war in Afghanistan.

The people of some eastern-european countries voted. They voted and elected leaders that, being wrong or right - that's not the question -, decided that the best interests for their country was to join the NATO and to follow the American foreign policies whatever they do. I don't like NATO, and consider it as useless since USSR is dead, but Russia hasn't any right to intervent in those country and tell them what they should do. Georgia, Ukraina, etc... are supposed to be free countries. They are free to join the NATO if they want so, and Russia has nothing to say about it.
So, yes, Russia is a threat for the freedom of many eastern-european countries, and above all, it is a threat for the freedom of russian people.

Many countries want to join the EU, but they're not in the EU, are they? It's up to NATO and NATO expansion is harmful to both NATO and its member states. Russia has no influence in Eastern European countries now, while a lot of those countries basically are an extension of the US as far as foreign policy is concerned, even if this is not popular in those countries (for example, 70% of Ukrainians are against NATO membership).

Also, for next Ukrainian elections, a candidate will run saying "I'm against NATO", and if the opinion doesn't change and NATO is the only issue, then he will get 70% of the vote. That's what we call "democracy" and that's not the same that Russia invading a country to prevent it joining the NATO.

Which country did Russia invade to stop it from joining NATO?

Did you ever hear about Georgia ?

You mean the country whose foolish leader invaded a territory under Russian protection? I don't think any other country would do such a thing again or would have an opportunity to do so, for that matter.

Did you ever look at a map ? Which state does Sothern Ossetia belong to ? Russia, maybe ? If Sakashvili is a war criminal, then he should be judged by the International Tribunal. But Russia has absolutely no right to invade Georgia because it doesn't like Sakashvili's policies.

Yes, but I think they have a rather good right to invade Georgia if it invades a region guarded with Russian peacekeepers and with 90% Russian citizens.

[GMantis]

It's Saudi Arabia that's actually most responsible for terrorism. Israel also exercises undue influence on American foreign policy, greatly contributes to anti-American feelings in the Middle East and is therefore indirectly a rather significant threat.
Russia is not a threat to the US. If, however, it's an American interest that all formerly Communist countries are American satelite states, the Russia is certainly a threat to US interests.

Should those states become again russian satellites ? Russia is maybe not a threat for USA, just a threat for freedom.

Russia is not a threat to freedom in neighbouring countries. However, NATO expansion is a threat to Russia.
Frankly, I'm not certain about other Eastern European countries, but when it was a Soviet satelite, Bulgaria had a more independent foreign policy than now. Nor were there any Soviet bases here and Bulgaria wasn't forced to participate in the Soviet war in Afghanistan.

The people of some eastern-european countries voted. They voted and elected leaders that, being wrong or right - that's not the question -, decided that the best interests for their country was to join the NATO and to follow the American foreign policies whatever they do. I don't like NATO, and consider it as useless since USSR is dead, but Russia hasn't any right to intervent in those country and tell them what they should do. Georgia, Ukraina, etc... are supposed to be free countries. They are free to join the NATO if they want so, and Russia has nothing to say about it.
So, yes, Russia is a threat for the freedom of many eastern-european countries, and above all, it is a threat for the freedom of russian people.

Many countries want to join the EU, but they're not in the EU, are they? It's up to NATO and NATO expansion is harmful to both NATO and its member states. Russia has no influence in Eastern European countries now, while a lot of those countries basically are an extension of the US as far as foreign policy is concerned, even if this is not popular in those countries (for example, 70% of Ukrainians are against NATO membership).

Also, for next Ukrainian elections, a candidate will run saying "I'm against NATO", and if the opinion doesn't change and NATO is the only issue, then he will get 70% of the vote. That's what we call "democracy" and that's not the same that Russia invading a country to prevent it joining the NATO.

Which country did Russia invade to stop it from joining NATO?

Did you ever hear about Georgia ?

You mean the country whose foolish leader invaded a territory under Russian protection? I don't think any other country would do such a thing again or would have an opportunity to do so, for that matter.

Did you ever look at a map ? Which state does Sothern Ossetia belong to ? Russia, maybe ? If Sakashvili is a war criminal, then he should be judged by the International Tribunal. But Russia has absolutely no right to invade Georgia because it doesn't like Sakashvili's policies.

Yes, but I think they have a rather good right to invade Georgia if it invades a region guarded with Russian peacekeepers and with 90% Russian citizens.

Do you know what is national sovereignty ? Well, that's not a moral principle, but when a country invades another without any international common decision, the correct word is "imperialism".

Leaving aside the fact that Georgia's sovereignity over South Ossetia is rather doubtful as according to the Soviet Constitution autonomous areas have the right to leave their republics and South Ossetia did just that, attacking peacekeepers and citizens of another nation is millitary aggression, making it quite right for Russia to respond. I might add that Georgia was not all behaving like it was regaining its own territory considering the attack with Grad rockets on civilian population as well the general behaviour of their army in South Ossetia.