The announcement that President Obama decided to shift strategy regarding missile defense in Eastern Europe, immediately caused uproar among those countries hoping to benefit economically and strategically from the plan originally laid out by former President Bush. Nearly everyone holding the opinion that defending American interests abroad requires a strong offensive approach, in spite of political tensions that may result, spewed their atypical rhetoric, as well.
The original plan provided for installing interceptor missiles in the Czech Republic and Poland, in order to deflect a possible long-range missile attack coming from Iran or some other radical hotspot. Unfortunately, these systems have never been tested under real-world conditions, and are essentially useless against short- and medium range missiles, which left many wondering, ‘what’s the point, then?’ Iran capabilities are decidedly not long-range and are barely medium range; as well, their intent seems to be of the short/medium range variety, with sights set on their nearby neighbor, Israel.
The previously noted question came into the mind of many already fully aware of Iran’s capabilities, specifically a state in which relations with the US had begun to become more amicable. The announcement of the initial plans immediately set Russia into a fury, claiming that the US was better positioning itself for aggression against them, their interests, and infringing upon their ‘sphere of influence.’ Russia has remained an outspoken opponent of this plan since its inception, indicating that they would match the US in missile placement, if they were to proceed with the plan; as well, posturing that it could be considered an act of aggression on the part of the US.
With the announcement that the US was scraping the plan, Russia indicated the US decision would not have any sort of profound effect on US/Russia relations, that the US plan was contrived and unnecessary anyway, but they did stand down. Shortly the gesture by the US, Russia shelved plans to place missiles in its land-island enclave, Kaliningrad.
Overall, this entire situation is really a win-win for both sides, though neither will readily admit it. Russia was right; the US had no right to be extending itself that far into their world, and it was causing unnecessary friction between the two states, that was relatively easy to remedy. The US has the capability to deter threats against its own specific interests, and it is well past time that Europeans begin to fund their own security more fully again, and end more than 60 years of military and related economic dependence. However, I would suggest that the US is hesitant, primarily due to lingering concerns over stability within the EU, as well as Russia; the Middle East is just an easy pawn to blame in the bigger picture.
- James M. Lindsay. Obama’s Missle Sheild Revision. Sept 17, 2009. Council on Foreign Relations.http://www.cfr.org/publication/20224/timely_missile_shield_reset.html?breadcrumb=%2F
- Russia scraps missile placement after Barack Obama dismantles shield. Sept 19, 2009. The Australian. http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/business/story/0,28124,26093407-2703,00.html
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