Why every argument has to have the Chinese involved? If the Russians withdraw from the treaty, that is because

1.Russian economy has recovered, with the help of current oil price; 2.NATO is sitting squatly at Russia’s boader, and the U.S. military has outstayed their welcome in the former Soviet states.

The Soviet Union was duped to sign this treaty, thus surrendered their leverage againt the NATO airpower. In my opinion, airport interdication was and is the most feared use of IRBMs against U.S.. With the current air superiority enjoyed by the U.S., I will not be suprised that Russia withdraws from the treaty unilaterally.

“The Soviet Union was duped to sign this treaty”

How do you figure? They wanted GLCMs and Pershing IIs out of Europe and as they saying goes “you don’t get something for nothing”. Had they not given up their intermediate range missiles they’d have the west’s missiles to contend with still. Besides it’s not like the USSR didn’t have any tactical aircraft in Europe :rolleyes: