ARTICLE: Russian bombers to test-fire missiles in Bay of Biscay, Times Online January 22, 2008

Yes, Vlad remains focused on his quest to remind the world that Russia is back and must be part of any great power conversations, to include the projection of power.

Does this constitute a direct threat against Europe? Hmm. That would be the source of much of Russia's energy sector profits, so such threats would seem a bit self-defeating, yes?

But clearly Putin is signaling to be noticed. He's just employing the only routes known to this collection of siloviki raised in the Cold War. On that level, it's sort of pathetic, especially since the initial target is itself the wrong group of states to be engaging on the subject.

But it's what Russia knows and can manage right now, so the signal is sent.

From our angle, we need to ask ourselves what collective use can be made of Russia's resurgence. Not put to productive use in a manner that enhances Russia's global image, it could easily turn into a force for distraction or counterproductive one-up-man-ship during crises.

In short, this sort of capability, like those growing inside India and China, need to be contextualized in something better than just the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

We need serious SysAdmin-driven strategic alliances among the powers most able and willing to defend globalization's advance in coming decades, not "Fight Club"-like displays of power going nowhere and accomplishing nothing.

(Thanks: Rob Johnson)