Obama in Prague in April:
So let me be clear: Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile activity poses a real threat, not just to the United States, but to Iran's neighbors and our allies. The Czech Republic and Poland have been courageous in agreeing to host a defense against these missiles. As long as the threat from Iran persists, we will go forward with a missile defense system that is cost-effective and proven. (Applause.) If the Iranian threat is eliminated, we will have a stronger basis for security, and the driving force for missile defense construction in Europe will be removed. (Applause.)
In the news today:
President Obama dismayed America's allies in Europe and angered his political opponents at home today when he formally ditched plans to set up a missile defence shield in Poland and the Czech Republic.
The former Czech prime minister, Mirek Topolanek, said: "This is not good news for the Czech state, for Czech freedom and independence. It puts us in a position wherein we are not firmly anchored in terms of partnership, security and alliance, and that's a certain threat."
Also:
Experts at the world's top atomic watchdog are in agreement that Tehran has the ability to make a nuclear bomb and is on the way to developing a missile system able to carry an atomic warhead, according to a secret report seen by The Associated Press.And:
A spokeswoman at the Polish Ministry of Defense also said the program had been suspended.
I'm speechless.
Oh yea, Mr. Sensitivity announced this on the 70th Anniversary of the Soviet Invasion of Poland...which led to massacres like the Katyn Forest slaughter.
Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
-- George Santayana
3 comments:
There are a couple important facts I'd like to share.
1)The sophisticated missile defense plans by President Bush were directed towards intercepting IBMs. However, according to Peter Baker's article in the New York Times, "Officials said American intelligence agencies have concluded that Tehran’s development of such long-range missiles has slowed, while its progress toward short- and medium-range missiles has accelerated. The new system, they said, is adapting to that change."
2) Obama also announced, “This new approach will provide capabilities sooner, build on proven systems and offer greater defenses against the threat of missile attack than the 2007 European missile defense program.”
3) Bush's plan gave unnecessary negative signals to Russia, and further deteriorated our relationship with Russia. In reversing Bush's plan, the U.S. can now work with the Russians to create a missile defense system - thereby still protecting Europe and the U.S. East Coast.
4) Obama's new plan will establish a ship-based missile defense sooner than Bush's plan, which could prevent Israel from taking steps to escalate military action against the impending nuclear threat.
5) Obama still intends on having a missile defense system in Europe, as he noted, “we would prefer to put the SM-3’s in Poland.”
I understand that the Pols and Czechs distrust their Eastern neighbor - rightfully so - and they are feeling "back-stabbed" by Obama. Nevertheless, in consideration of our information about Iran's lack of IBMs, it makes little sense to put IBM interceptors in Eurpoe. It makes more sense to defend the West against what Iran is more likely to develop, rather than fund a missile defense system that would sends suspicious signals to Russia.
My source:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/18/world/europe/18shield.html?hp
The New York Times has been busy shredding it's remaining credibility on this and many other issues, with it's decision to spend it's time defending the Obama administration rather than deal with the facts, corruption, and pandering to the enemies of the United States.
This merely forces the hand of the Israelis that the US is not an ally to be trusted by it's unilateral decision to go back on it's missile defense plan. (The kind of action that drew huge cries of "foul" from people like...uh...Barack Obama.
Obama's characterization of his "new approach" fits it with his other whoppers like "my health care plan won't add a dime to the deficit", "illegals are not covered under my plan", and all those empty assurances of Israeli-US friendship, while taking the Palestinian view of things.
Frankly the President, and his Palace Guard, the New York Times, have lost all credibility. I'm not saying it's time to watch Fox News 24/7 or something like that, but the Grey Lady's days are over. No wonder they are going broke...their verity capital has run dry as well.
As for a view that best reflects my response to the "wisdom" of Obama's strategy re: missile defense and the Russians, I suggest this link.
http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=ZWIzNWIyNWYxMGUyZWMzZDBlZWU0NzE1ZTFmMzZjZjY=
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