On Military.com’s news and national policy blog, Jamie McIntyre writes about Vladimir Putin’s recent comments on America’s missile defense. Among other things, Putin wants the U.S. to provide Russia detailed data on our missile defense plans and capabilities. The former Soviet Union aspires to modernize its offensive nuclear force in ways that would defeat our missile defense system.

“Skeptics of missile defense should take note of Russia’s paranoia about the U.S. missile defense in Europe…Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin believes something many in the U.S. scoff at, namely that the anti-​​missile system probably works, and Russia has nothing like it.”

Although Russia’s intercontinental ballistic missiles could take on our interceptors in Europe and Alaska, Russia seeks to impede our progress. Will President Barack Obama allow it?

“The Russian instance that the U.S. scrap its missile shield is a test for President Obama, who wants to extend an open hand to the Russians in his laudable goal of reducing nuclear stockpiles and getting help containing Iran,” McIntyre writes. “Reducing the number of nukes in the interest of both the United States and Russia, as are missile defenses by the way. If Putin could put his pride aside, and his country first, he could see that.”