From its beginnings as a concept on up to the present incarnation of that concept Russia/the Soviet Union considered a missile defense shield as an OFFENSIVE weapon. That’s strange logic. It cannot fire anything at Russia. It can’t cross any border or seize and hold territory. It is designed to shoot down incoming missiles. Russia/the Soviet Union considers this defensive weapon as a severe to threat. Even when we have repeatedly offered the same technology to them. That’s very strange logic.

We tell them that this is especially meant to stop what the Iranian Mullahs intend when they get the bomb. We explain how vulnerable we and our allies are to what Iran intends. We explain that the theologically motivated Mullahs are not deterred by MAD. In fact, they welcome the nuclear holocaust.

And Russia does not even want us to deploy this system in Western Europe, the Middle East or Asia. They really go apeshit at the idea of it being in Eastern Europe. They just object to its existence, period.

So, why is it important to Russia that Iran be nuclear-armed and ready to let it rip? Why is it that Russia does not want us to be able to defend ourselves?

I have some ideas in mind, but I wanted to throw these questions out there and see what others think.