Russia's defense establishment rolled out computer-generated images of hypothetical warfare on Thursday to illustrate its fear of a planned Europe-based missile-defense shield and warned of a possible a pre-emptive strike on elements of the system.

By Richard Boudreaux

MOSCOW—Russia's defense establishment rolled out computer-generated images of hypothetical warfare on Thursday to illustrate its fear of a planned Europe-based missile-defense shield and warned of a possible a pre-emptive strike on elements of the system, underscoringthe biggest source of tension in U.S.-Russiarelations.
But the hawkish rhetoric at an international conference masked a tacit agreement to put off serious talks on the issue until next year and an emerging view in theKremlin that President Barack Obama's re-election would clear the way for a deal overcoming its objections to the U.S.-led missile-defense plan.
With Mr. Obama, "I am sure we will reach an agreement that brings no harm to them or to our security," a senior Russian official told the state news agency on Thursday."If it's someone else" in the White House next year, he added,"surely, it will be difficult."
The comments, coupled with those of U.S. and other Western officials at the conference, suggested that both sides were looking for a way out of a stalemate that has slowed the improvement of ties under Mr. Obama's effort to "reset" their strained relationship.
In a message read to the gathering, departing Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said he was confident the two sides "are capable of finding a formula that would allow us to avoid anydivision into winners and losers."
http://mobile2.wsj.com/device/article.php?CALL_URL=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303877604577382211875199348.html?
Russland droht mit Erstschlag gegen Raketenschild
http://m.welt.de/article.do?id=%252Fpolitik%252Fausland%252Farticle106257853%252FRussland-droht-mit-Erstschlag-gegen-Raketenschild.html