...Romney’s characterization of Russia as America’s foremost nemesis came after President Obama, at a South Korean summit meeting, was heard on an open microphone asking Medvedev for “patience” and “space” to make progress on bilateral issues, including a proposed missile-defense system for Europe that Russia opposes. Obama had suggested that he would be more capable of working toward an agreement with Medvedev’s successor, Vladimir Putin, after his own re-election.
While Obama’s comment caused an outcry among conservatives, who saw it as evidence the president plans to capitulate on missile defense in his second term, the consensus among Romney’s critics was that the former Massachusetts governor had overreached.
But his remark appears not to have been an off-the-cuff throwaway line. Instead, it reflects his long-held negative view of the Russian regime -- and his belief that the Obama administration’s “reset” policy has been unwarranted and ineffective.
The GOP front-runner has long suggested that the former Cold War adversary would be regarded by his administration as something closer to an enemy than a friend.
In his book, “No Apology,” Romney listed Russia as one of four powerful international actors -- along with China, “the Jihadists” and the United States -- that have competing strategies to control the direction of the 21st century.
“We are now obliged to be wary and vigilant once more, because by mid-century, our grandchildren may well view Russia with the same concern that we and our parents once did,” Romney wrote.
And in a December interview with RealClearPolitics, he asserted that Putin was aiming to return his country “to the glory days of the Soviet Union,” and he encouraged the Russian people to usher him out of office....
Russian opposition to missile defense is nonsensical and suggest a latent hostility to the West that we should take seriously. Romney has been criticized for his comments by those on the left, but I think many Americans can see his point.
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