"The rhetoric out of Moscow is the most alarming rhetoric I can remember in 20 years" says Michael McFaul

CDDRL Director Michael McFaul is quoted in "Leaders spar in war of words over missile defense system at summit," on ABC13.com on June 7. McFaul says that, "The rhetoric out of Moscow is the most alarming rhetoric I can remember in 20 years. It seems as if they want to have a cold war. Putin understands that the U.S. is weak and discredited around the world, and therefore he can make points if you will on the world stage." McFaul adds that he believes the US missed a critical diplomatic opportunity to work with the Russians on a joint missile defense project. "The Bush administration did not handle this idea well," he says. "They could have worked with the Russians. They could have quietly come up with a plan of operations together."

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