On Tuesday’s CBS Evening News, correspondent Lara Logan reported on the Obama administration’s effort to improve relations between the United States and Russia by abandoning a missile defense system proposed under the Bush administration: "It's become one of the most contentious issues dividing the U.S. and Russia. American plans to deploy a missile defense system on Russia's doorstep...The Obama administration's willingness to even open discussions on the issue is a dramatic reversal of U.S. policy under President Bush, who dismissed Russian objections. That dispute helped bring U.S.-Russian relations to their lowest point since the break-up of the Soviet Union nearly 20 years ago. Today the President made it clear he's already started to change that."
Rather than offer any criticism, Logan cited Steven Pifer of the left-leaning Brookings Institution, who declared: "It seems to me that when we're looking for issues on which we can signal to the Russians that we're prepared to be more flexible and listen to some of their concerns, missile defense is one." At the top of the broadcast, anchor Katie Couric teased the segment by describing Obama’s proposal as an "intriguing suggestion."
In her report, Logan argued that, "Better relations with Russia matter because Russia can be very helpful on a range of problems, like Afghanistan, that are high up on the Obama agenda." She went on to suggest that such a deal would also lead to greater Russian cooperation on confronting Iran: "Washington has long wanted to take a harder line against Iran and clearly the Obama administration feels the most effective way to do that is with a united front that includes Russia." It’s strange that Logan suggested that Obama, who said he would sit down and talk with Iranian President Ahmadinejad, now wants to take a "harder line against Iran."
At the end of the report, Couric wondered why the Russian government publicized Obama’s private letter to the Russian President proposing the deal. Logan responded: "Well, this is all about the Russian people and sending a message that the Russian government wants to do business with the U.S. again. For the last few years they have demonized the U.S. and now they're preparing their people for a change, for the possibility that this could be a new era of friendlier relations with the U.S., Katie."
Here is the full transcript of the segment:
6:30PM TEASE:
KATIE COURIC: Also tonight, the President says it's time to reboot relations with Moscow. The intriguing suggestion he made in a private letter to Russia's president.
6:37PM SEGMENT:
KATIE COURIC: President Obama has focused most of his attention on the economic crisis, but today he signaled it's time for a new beginning with Russia. In a private letter he's offered his Russian counterpart an incentive for ending a long-running dispute. Here's our chief foreign affairs correspondent Lara Logan.
LARA LOGAN: It's become one of the most contentious issues dividing the U.S. and Russia. American plans to deploy a missile defense system on Russia's doorstep. Today President Obama signaled that missile defenses might not be necessary if Russia helps to block Iran's pursuit of nuclear war heads and ballistic missiles.
BARACK OBAMA: To the extent that we are lessening Iran's commitment to nuclear weapons, then that reduces the pressure for, or the need for, a missile defense system.
LOGAN: Moscow regards the missile system as a threat, but the U.S. has always insisted it's aimed at Iran not Russia. The Obama administration's willingness to even open discussions on the issue is a dramatic reversal of U.S. policy under President Bush, who dismissed Russian objections. That dispute helped bring U.S.-Russian relations to their lowest point since the break-up of the Soviet Union nearly 20 years ago. Today the President made it clear he's already started to change that.
OBAMA: I've said that we need to reset or reboot the relationship there.
LOGAN: Better relations with Russia matter because Russia can be very helpful on a range of problems, like Afghanistan, that are high up on the Obama agenda.
STEVEN PIFER [BROOKINGS INSTITUTION]: It seems to me that when we're looking for issues on which we can signal to the Russians that we're prepared to be more flexible and listen to some of their concerns, missile defense is one.
LOGAN: Washington has long wanted to take a harder line against Iran and clearly the Obama administration feels the most effective way to do that is with a united front that includes Russia, Katie.
COURIC: And Lara, what do you think motivated the Russians to make this letter public in the first place?
LOGAN: Well, this is all about the Russian people and sending a message that the Russian government wants to do business with the U.S. again. For the last few years they have demonized the U.S. and now they're preparing their people for a change, for the possibility that this could be a new era of friendlier relations with the U.S., Katie.
COURIC: Alright, Lara Logan in Washington. Lara, thank you.
—Kyle Drennen is a news analyst at the Media Research Center.
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Comments Policy
Why on EARTH do we need
March 4, 2009 - 13:11 ET by HelenSWhy on EARTH do we need this continuous update on the fantasy life of the libs!? Does the MSM and the dems, and all the shills who need to crawl back under their rocks, really believe all this shite?
Me - "The libs/dems of today are the Quislings of former years - the cowards who would vote a fraud into office in exchange for handouts from the devil."
logan the all knowing
March 4, 2009 - 15:34 ET by east tennessee johnSo Russia can be helpful on Afghanistan?? Really? How,you moron? The Taliban is more anti-communist than it is even anti-American. What a dope and they give her a mike, airtime and a paycheck. All the Polish and Czech schools are reinstituting Russian as a second language because they know Sgt. Schultz will sell them down the river. Look how he reacted to Georgia, the country, not the state you kool aid drinking fools. This man shouldn't be trusted to play a game of Risk.
What planet is this woman from????
March 4, 2009 - 13:31 ET by BEGRUNTThe Russians are laughing their a$$e$ off. They treat him like a big joke......"Obama: um errr ummmm ahhhh, how about, errr ummmmm ahhhh, I scrap the errr ahhh missile shield, if you errr ahhhh ummmm help me with Iran? They laughed and said we "wont haggle" over this.....go home junior. They know he's weak, and will exploit it to the max!!
"Blago got in touch with his inner dirt bag"
Dennis Miller
Obama's playing tic-tac-toe on a chessboard
March 4, 2009 - 19:40 ET by Ten7sObama damages the Presidency each day he holds the office. Obama's letter to the Russian president was an absolute debacle, damaging national security, the trust of our allies, and foreign relations in general. Obama has it all; foreign and security policy like Carter and economic policy like Hoover.
Logan is an acknowledged
March 4, 2009 - 13:33 ET by SickofLibsLogan is an acknowledged expert on 'hard lines', 'break-ups', 'deployments' and 'friendly relations.'
And don't forget
March 4, 2009 - 13:35 ET by Scuba DudeAnd don't forget "looting".
oh yes, I forgot: Lara The Tomb Raider....
March 4, 2009 - 14:46 ET by SickofLibs... and Bone Smuggler.
...and wrecking
March 4, 2009 - 15:53 ET by RJWall...and wrecking relationships.
Brilliant analysis
March 4, 2009 - 13:35 ET by KC MulvilleAccording to Logan, the Russians publicized the letter to demonstrate to the Russian people that they were opening dialogue with the U.S ... "for the possibility that this could be a new era of friendlier relations with the U.S., Katie."
Why Publicize The Letter At All?
March 4, 2009 - 22:38 ET by stratmanSecond minor point:
So much for preparing cooperation
March 5, 2009 - 00:33 ET by KC MulvilleYeah, that "negotiation will solve everything" policy is working out great, isn't it?
Hmm
March 5, 2009 - 04:27 ET by stratmanNot sure who you're spoofing in that last comment. In spite of or in support of this mini-thread, I'll soldier on with more zany comments because I'm enjoying myself.
Maybe the Russians are peeved because The Zero did not serve them oatmeal cookies while entertained by Stevie Wonder in the White House.
At least he should have offered teatime like he did with Imadinnerjacket.
Ignore these minor gyrations in foreign diplomacy. This is Obama's plan for any event that doesn't fit the template, cause ignoring is working out great with the stock market's "gyrations".
Obama seems to subscribe to the Rodney King School Of Diplomacy - "Can we all get along?"
Yeah, this will end well. (/sarc)
diplomacy
March 5, 2009 - 05:38 ET by AgnosticIf Pres Obama wanted Russian help with Iran wouldn't if have made more sense on a logical and diplomatic level to actually meet with Russian leaders before meeting with the Iranian political leadership. I may be wrong, not being a very diplomatic person myself, but isn't that a slight of the Russian government -- to be put behind Iran in the pecking order of the new US President?
A person may be won over with logic and reason but the masses must be bought with spectacle and platitudes. - 2008 Elections
Obama
March 5, 2009 - 10:34 ET by KC MulvilleBasically, Obama assured the American voting public that the real problem with the Bush Administration foreign policy is that they were too arrogant to negotiate. Obama assured us that once he got into office, the talking would begin, and joy would follow.
Well, that naivete isn't working. We're talking to them, but they're blowing us off.
Toying with Obama
March 4, 2009 - 13:38 ET by slickwillie2001Krauthammer ripped a few chunks of flesh off Obammy's skinny frame last night on the Fox News 6pm program. Nina Easton and Mort Kondracke predictably defended Obammy in vague terms.
Obammy's first mistake was more or less committing to removal of the ABM sites from Poland during the campaign. Russia knew that the missiles would be removed regardless of what they did. So why would they make a deal? Second, removal of the missiles is near-irreversible, but Russia's help to Iran can take place without our knowledge. Third, Iran can get what Russia offers from other sources. Fourth, Obammy has kicked valuable ally Poland and others in the face. Why would they ever trust the USA again?
Russia is playing with Obammy the way a cat plays with a cat toy.
Slickwillie.. brilliant.
March 4, 2009 - 13:53 ET by celatorSlickwillie.. brilliant. You nailed it.
Putin is going to take Obama to the woodshed every time The Lord Of The Flies stumbles throughout yet another foreign policy disaster of his own creation. And there are lots of disasters awaiting in Obama's pipeline, you can bet.
If we deconstruct Logan's words, we see that she, and the rest of the Old Media, is of the school that says the US is evil and needs to bend its knee and apologize to every dictator and enemy of the US. The dictators and other enemies of the US don't need any rehabilitation. It's all our fault, after all.
The Government cannot give to anybody anything that which the government does not first take from somebody else.
Dr. Adrian Rogers
when I watch the news, hear
March 4, 2009 - 13:41 ET by seaniepwhen I watch the news, hear about obama's admin, or pelosi or reid or any of them - in my head all I can see is a child covered in BBQ sauce claiming that they did not eat any of the ribs that were left out
these people are so convinced of their own BS that they . . . hell I guess they believe it? its mind boggling, its Michael Scott played out in real life, and when its about things like national defense, its not funny
Right LARA
March 4, 2009 - 13:45 ET by NorthCoasterThe ham handed attempt to trade Western European security for help in Iran sure worked well didn't it. Must be part of the "New Plan".
I guess we can assume from
March 4, 2009 - 13:49 ET by fitzfongI guess we can assume from past history that Logan slept with Pifer to help her complete the story.
"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery." -Winston Churchill
This reminds me of the kid
March 4, 2009 - 13:49 ET by CoolShadesThis reminds me of the kid who gives up his lunch money to the school bully and gets punched in the face anyway.
HEY GANG - GET A LOAD OF THE REPORTER!
March 4, 2009 - 13:50 ET by SgthulkaIt's our own Lara Logan - The breathy and sultry ex- of VH1 and MTV.
I used to appreciate her incredbile abilities in introducting previously video-taped pieces about Elton John, Sting, etc. The skill sets she showed were incredible. I can see why Viacom wanted her journalism skills.
You've got to hand it to CBS, they've got a strong stable of investigative reporters.
She's been able to get to the heart of amny stories with the line - "Did you bring any protection?".
"protection"
March 4, 2009 - 15:10 ET by SickofLibsInterviewees: penicillin also strongly advised!
That dispute helped bring
March 4, 2009 - 13:58 ET by Dan The Man 2That dispute helped bring U.S.-Russian relations to their lowest point since the break-up of the Soviet Union nearly 20 years ago
What amazes me is why teh relations were at a low 20 years ago? Hmmm, what reason could that be? Could it be that Reagan, a man Obama is supposed ta be emulating, forced the USSR to break up using a combination of methods including a hard line and missle defense?
Fools, like Curic will never learn from history and likewise Obama will also never learn from history either. Never back down when you have teh advantage, Obama blinked and Putin knew it. Now we, teh USA, are poised to become teh third world nation the MSM so loves.
Anyone here know of any French courses taht are easy to learn?
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
Actually
March 4, 2009 - 14:28 ET by 10ksnookerTo me --- Russia is playing the naive one like an old worn out fiddle. Even Russia knows socialism was a failure for them.
The Acting President Oabam's naivete comes across big time.
um no
March 4, 2009 - 15:27 ET by candanceRussia is slowly taking control of their own oil supply and buying allies in countries like Iceland. And now they know they can go ahead with their plans to attack Ukraine because the west will do nothing.
Why anyone would seek to get their information...
March 4, 2009 - 14:55 ET by wnaegele...from some MSM airhead is beyond me.
it's all about feelings
March 4, 2009 - 15:14 ET by FAQsAt least we will have good relations. So, we've got that going for us. And if they like us maybe they will help out with Afghanistan or Iran. How? Uhm..... they'll just like us, you know? They will be "supportive." And they won't like say bad things about us to the UN and stuff.
→ I can't wait
March 4, 2009 - 15:21 ET by Cool ArrowI foresee a Jimmy Carter-Iran love affair coming on.
We won the cold war! Why did we surrender?
Hey, Lara, the Ruskies just told Obama to go pound sand
March 4, 2009 - 15:27 ET by R D HelmPerhaps you were having just a little too much fun over the weekend to have noticed?
Funny, I don't recall them ever doing that to Mr. Bush.
Either one of them.
-Dave
Our clueless political leaders are about to drive us all over a cliff. The time to HITM is now-before we go over.
I emailed her to remind her
March 4, 2009 - 15:31 ET by obxrayI emailed her to remind her how much of a whore she is.
here is the email address:laraloganfansite@gmail.com <laraloganfansite@gmail.com>
Yes thats brilliant diplomacy
March 4, 2009 - 15:37 ET by dark_dsYes thats brilliant diplomacy ... offer something up to your adversary that you have already tipped your hand off that you dont want anyway. I dont think Putin who is the real one in control of Russia is stupid. I on the other hand think Putin thinks Obama is out of his league. My 14 year old daughter would laugh at me if I offered a deal that she already knew I was willing to make for nothing .... she would just say to herself "geez dad I think I will wait you out on that one."
"America is on the Short Bus to Socialism"
It will also be proven one day
March 4, 2009 - 16:30 ET by jdlybrandGeorge Bush was responsible for pimples, bad hair days, hemmorrhoids, hangnails, erectile dysfunction, less than sunny days, the heartbreak of psorriasis, plaque, halitosis, steroids, male pattern baldness, and toe jam. They're working on his link to my golf game as well.
Riddle me this, sweetheart....
March 4, 2009 - 18:29 ET by JeffWeimerLOGAN: Better relations with Russia matter because Russia can be very
helpful on a range of problems, like Afghanistan, that are high up on
the Obama agenda.
And how helpful is Russia with Afghanistan? They induced Kyrgyzstan to close the Manas airbase to the U.S. Very helpful, that.
Quit putting lipstick on a pig. This little exchange only shows how the President is held in contempt by Medvedev and Putin.
Glorious Comrade Great
March 4, 2009 - 22:47 ET by stratmanGlorious Comrade Great Leader Putin has communicated to Glorious Comrade Great Leader Obama that the USA will be permited to fly non-lethal supplies through Krygystan airspace.
For now.
The eyes have it.
March 4, 2009 - 22:52 ET by JerBut the question is: Has Obama looked into Putin's eyes yet and seen his soul?
Jer
No need, Jer. The
March 5, 2009 - 13:32 ET by stratmanNo need, Jer. The Messiahn't is omnipotent.
Bush wrecked what good U.S. / Russian relations?????
March 4, 2009 - 18:52 ET by Gary HallFort Worth Star-Telegram - December 10, 1999 - 1 NEWS
Yeltsin warns Clinton Russia still has nukes - He says the president "must have forgotten for a few seconds ... what Russia is. ..."
Russian President Boris Yeltsin bluntly reminded President Clinton yesterday that Moscow has a vast nuclear arsenal and railed at the United States for trying to meddle in Russia's internal affairs. "Yesterday, Clinton took the liberty of putting pressure on Russia," Yeltsin said during a visit to Beijing. "He obviously must have forgotten for a few seconds, a minute or half a minute, what Russia is and that Russia possesses a full arsenal of...
June 14, 1999.'Bizarre' Push by Russian Forces Rattles the Allies : Peacekeepers Claim Control of Kosovo
Chicago Tribune - AccessMyLibrary.com - Dec 14, 2000
These challenges, along with how to improve relations with Russia, .
CNN - Jun 5, 2000
He also shouted at Clinton. "I told him in English, 'Lift the blockade on Iraq, withdraw troops from Yugoslavia and do not intervene in Russian affairs,'" ...
Mar 25, 1999... after he held a heated 45-minute telephone conversation with President Clinton. ... Russia has deplored continuing US and British airstrikes in Iraq. ...
Hartford Courant - ProQuest Archiver - Jan 30, 1999
Other experts say the action could widen a growing rift between the United States and Russia.
A crying shame that Bush wrecked the good times.
.
March 4, 2009 - 19:04 ET by david999.
Lara Logan
March 4, 2009 - 19:04 ET by david999Lara Logan will probably get knocked up again as she did in Iraq
I guess the father will be a Russian this time around ......
Presstitute
David,
March 4, 2009 - 20:53 ET by UpNorthyou've coined a new word, my man. "Presstitute" describes almost all of the MSM these days. I like it, I really do.
Maybe Logan should go back to an event as recent as the Russian invasion of Georgia, to see how relations "hit a 20 year low", or maybe, just maybe the invasion of Chechnya, which also caused relations with Russia to "hit a 20 year low".
Maybe, with stalwart, respected reporters like Logan, CBS is going for the "Naked News" show? uh, but don't aske Mike Wallace, Please!!!
Open talks lead to no help anywhere else
March 4, 2009 - 23:27 ET by ConservativeMissourianHow exactly will having a cooperative relationship with Russia help us in Afganistan?? Just because we are having open discussions with Russia does not mean they are immediately going to help us with whatever we want! Possibly by the time they get around to helping us on that situation, it may get resolved some other way.
Weakling prez
March 4, 2009 - 23:36 ET by nkviking75The world was so excited about having Obama in the White House because they knew he was weak and foolish and easily pushed around, just like Bill Clinton. They couldn't stand the 8 years of George W. Bush who usually knew when to stand his ground in the field of foreign relations.
When you put the clowns in charge, don't be surprised when a circus breaks out.
Team Obama are amateurs and not very bright ones at that.
March 5, 2009 - 01:23 ET by JWFHe said repeatedly in his campaign he wanted to get rid of missle defense. So he offered Russian something he was already planning to do anyway. And he did it in WRITING!
Once again, when I want cogent analysis, I go to American Thinker.
The genius of Obama
Clarice Feldman
JOM commenter Soylent Red hits the nail on the head respecting the preposterous flailing about of the President on foreign affairs:
a Veteran of a 1000 psychic wars.
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2009/03/the_genius_of_obama.html
Oh God - we're all doomed,
March 5, 2009 - 02:42 ET by Jack BauerOh God - we're all doomed, doomed I tells ya.
"As I have always said (insert any old made-up on the spot lie here)".... Barack Obama