Deflection

Is it perhaps just another example of "control the people through fear"?

I'm not sure if it is Bush or Putin this time, but I wouldn't put it past them to have agreed this as a solution which benefits them both.

MaxUnderdog will be along any time to complain that I mentioned Bush.

Putin's counter proposal that the system go ahead and be placed in Azerbaijan is a surprise. Geographically it actually would be even better and would also provide cover for Moscow and St Petersburg.

Next chess move to Bush