Cuban Missile Crisis Redux?

Russian newspaper Izvestia reported than an unnamed Russian defense ministry spokesperson hinted at Russian presence in Cuba once again and this time in response to the US missile defense shield. The spokesperson said “While they are deploying the missile shield in Poland and the Czech Republic, our strategic bombers will already be landing in Cuba.” Yea, the 60’s called and they want their strategy back. But, some are taking the threat a little more seriously than others. General Norton Schwartz (Current nominee for Air Force Chief of Staff) and seemed to take the threat pretty seriously:

“I certainly would offer best military advice that we should engage the Russians not to pursue that approach. [...] And if they did, I think we should stand strong and indicate that that is something that crosses a threshold, crosses a red line for the United States of America.”

My opinion after the break.

Really people? I know Russia talks a hard line, but I feel like Putin, Medvedev, and Cuba would never resort to this in the present conditions. The Russian Defense Ministry has denied any possibility of this and has accused Izvestia of fabricating the story sparking somewhat of a media scandal for the paper. It seems like Cubans agree with me. Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez might be willing though.

The current political climate for any of the three involved countries is not the appropriate time for another missile crisis. The US and Russia may have opposing viewpoints on many issues, but they are still friends and will continue to be far into the future from my point of view.