Final Word from Friday, April 4, 2008
For months, Vladimir Putin has been kicking George W. Bush while he was down. But this weekend, Putin will apparently sign a strategic framework on future U.S.-Russian relations that, among other things, will resolve the heated issue of missile defense in Central Europe. What will Putin get in return for showing mercy on Bush and throwing a lifeline that allows him to leave office with a legacy? Putin will apparently get more access to U.S. missile-defense technology than Bush had wanted to give him. Russia takes seriously reports that the U.S. is working to have a first-strike nuclear capability against it. Russia might have to give up some geopolitical territory in the Czech Republic to Bush's missile-defense plans, but closer cooperation on missile defense might put Russia in position to reverse or at least slow the shift in the nuclear balance that has been going in Washington's favor.[Czech Republic weapons MAD United States of America]
Glossary of difficult words
to kick someone while he is down - to cause further misfortune to someone who is already in a difficult position;
lifeline - something that provides a means of escape from a difficult situation;
legacy - something that is handed down;
first-strike capability - ability to destroy an enemy's nuclear weapons before they are used;