Putin, before vote, unveils 'invincible' nuclear weapons to counter West
President Vladimir Putin unveiled an array of new nuclear weapons on Thursday, in one of his most bellicose speeches in years, saying they could hit almost any point in the world and evade a U.S.-built missile shield. [...] His remarks were greeted with scepticism in Washington, where officials cast doubt on whether Russia has added any new capabilities to its nuclear arsenal beyond those already known to the U.S. military and intelligence agencies.
[...] Among weapons that Putin said were either in development or ready was a new intercontinental ballistic missile "with a practically unlimited range" able to attack via the North and South Poles and bypass any missile defense systems.
Putin also spoke of a small nuclear-powered engine that could be fitted to what he said were low-flying, highly maneuverable cruise missiles, giving them a practically unlimited range. The new engine meant Russia was able to make a new type of weapon - nuclear missiles powered by nuclear rather than conventional fuel. "Nothing like it in the world exists," Putin told the audience. "At some point it will probably appear (elsewhere) but by that time our guys will have devised something else."
Other new super weapons he listed included underwater nuclear drones, a supersonic weapon and a laser weapon. In one of his video clip demos, a weapon appeared to be hovering over what looked like a map of the state of Florida.
(Score: 1) by anubi on Friday March 02 2018, @07:40AM (6 children)
I have the strong notion that money spent for defense is about as wisely spent as money spent on healthcare.
All we seem to buy are very expensive hand-shakes
"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." [KJV: I Thessalonians 5:21]
(Score: 5, Insightful) by stormwyrm on Friday March 02 2018, @01:34PM (5 children)
— Dwight D. Eisenhower, April 16, 1953
Numquam ponenda est pluralitas sine necessitate.
(Score: 5, Insightful) by cmdrklarg on Friday March 02 2018, @02:18PM (3 children)
Ike was a wise man indeed. Folks, this is what a Republican used to be.
The world is full of kings and queens who blind your eyes and steal your dreams.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday March 02 2018, @08:12PM
that was before the Rpublicans adopted the "Southern Strategy" which led to the current situation
(Score: -1) by fakefuck39 on Saturday March 03 2018, @05:34AM (1 child)
yeah, then they became reagan-type feel-good idiots who drive the coutry to shit while making everyone feel good. idiots who appeared down to earth and friendly with a smile and fixed problems by redefining them. folks who started their sentences with "folks".
I agree, "Ike" was indeed a good president. You - you are a douche, an idiot, and a loser - and I filled all that in just from your ~10 words of text. We're not your kin-folk retard. go fuck yourself.
(Score: 2) by Joe Desertrat on Saturday March 03 2018, @11:30PM
The Southern "strategy" was more a benefit of long entrenched Southern Democrats switching parties when they felt the Democrats went too liberal on cultural and social issues (mainly integration) rather than a long planned strategic effort, although they like to claim otherwise in hindsight. There was little to no difference between a Lott, a Thurmond, a Helms, etc. from when they were Democrats and when they were Republicans. The Republicans that gained power with Reagan were mainly a re-emergence of the Republicans as they existed prior to Eisenhower. The same economic policies that brought about the Depression, the same populism based on fear and ignorance, etc. The Democrats won 5 straight presidential elections from 1932 through 1948, and while the nation enjoyed unprecedented economic and technological growth, world events and a general fatigue made it apparent that whoever the Republican nominee was in 1952, he was going to win the election. Eisenhower, whose political affiliations were loose at best, was drafted to run as a Republican precisely to prevent the old school Republicans led by Robert Taft from taking over. When Nixon went down in the 70's the moderate Republicans went down with him, so we saw the likes of Reagan, the Bushes, Romney and now Trump gaining nominations.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday March 05 2018, @04:01PM
Sure, you can build all of those things instead.. but then someone who armed themselves instead can just come and take them (or just destroy them).
You have to be able to defend what is yours, otherwise it is only yours until someone else wants it (destroyed).