More on Abandoned Missile Defense Shields
We reported last week that President Barack Obama intends to renege on our agreements to build missile shields in Poland and the Czech Republic. It’s official.
Earlier this year, the administration denied working out a “secret” deal with Russia to abandon our commitments to Central Europe. In return, the U.S. wants Russia’s help in dealing with Iran. So far Russia has refused to issue tougher sanctions against the rogue state.
As reasonable people believe, not only is this abandonment a mistake, countries like Iran and North Korea see it as weakness. So does Russia.
While the president says he’s strong on missile defense, although he proposes to cut missile defense by $1.4 billion, he’s passing up the opportunity to protect the region against Iran, assert our authority and power to protect less powerful nations, and present a strong and united front to the world. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton earned kudos last week when she talked about the “defense umbrella” we’d offer to our allies. What does this mean in the context of Obama’s abandonment and missile defense cuts?
Iran may have the ability to hit Europe with a ballistic missile in three years and the U.S. by 2015. While North Korea and Iran test-fire missiles and continue to improve missile defense capabilities, Obama’s decision has opened up possibilities for the rogue states. They must be celebrating. Obama has emboldened countries, not to mention other rogue minor players who will seize the chance to assert themselves.
Russia’s probably celebrating, too. The former Soviet Union opposed missile shields in Poland and the Czech Republic, claiming the bases would pose a threat to its national security.
(Source: Investors.com)
Tags: Barack Obama, Czech Republic, Hillary Clinton, Poland, Russia