Salmond is one of the brightest and politically astute politicians we have. He knows exactly how to play the Westminster playground. However......
The Catch 22 here is that Scotland, to keep employment, local economies surviving, etc etc, requires the bases to be protected. Their (SNP)defense manifesto, states minimal defense. A problem.
We also know that these bases, within reason, can be anywhere on the UK mainland. We also know that we appear to have too many UK bases, as per the review. A problem.
Add in the mix the ''coalition'', and frankly you have one almighty mess, which will come as no surprise to anyone.
Salmond from the Scottish perspective will have to play this one very carefully, as will Cameron, and something will have to give. My view is that the good old compromise may surface, where nothing happens, except doubt and uncertainty, until the cards fall, and that may take some time.