In news that sounds scarier than it might actually be, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has issued a threat that Russia can aim its missiles at the U.S. missile defense sites in Europe if his concerns about the U.S. missile defense shield aren't met, according to the AP. Anytime Russia aims missiles at anything, it taps into a Cold War, Cuban Missile Crisis fear.  And the AP adds, "He also said in a televised statement Wednesday that Moscow may opt out of the New Start arms control deal with the United States and halt other arms control talks if the U.S. proceeds with its plans to deploy its missile shield in Europe."  Out of the blue, that's mildly terrifying. But the Russian government has seemingly always had one foot out the door when it comes to the New Start Deal and a palpable distaste for the proposed U.S missile defense shield. Back in February, when the New Start Deal took effect, Russia had already warned the U.S. that it reserved the right to withdraw from the treaty with language that mirrors what Medvedev said today. "If the U.S. increases the qualitative and quantitative potential of its missile defense … a question will arise whether Russia should further abide by the treaty or would have to take other measures to respond to the situation, including military-technical measures,”said Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov in a Washington Times report in February.  Medvedev's speech today may count toward those "other military-technical measures," but it's for sure, another Russian reminder that they really dislike the current U.S. missile defense shield plans.

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Alexander Abad-Santos