Robert M. Gates, Secretary of Defense
New York Times
The future of missile defense in Europe is secure. This reality is contrary to what some critics have alleged about President Obama’s proposed shift in America’s missile-defense plans on the continent — and it is important to understand how and why.
First, to be clear, there is now no strategic missile defense in Europe. In December 2006, just days after becoming secretary of defense, I recommended to President George W. Bush that the United States place 10 ground-based interceptors in Poland and an advanced radar in the Czech Republic. This system was designed to identify and destroy up to about five long-range missiles potentially armed with nuclear warheads fired from the Middle East — the greatest and most likely danger being from Iran. At the time, it was the best plan based on the technology and threat assessment available.
That plan would have put the radar and interceptors in Central Europe by 2015 at the earliest. Delays in the Polish and Czech ratification process extended that schedule by at least two years. Which is to say, under the previous program, there would have been no missile-defense system able to protect against Iranian missiles until at least 2017 — and likely much later.
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lol. So bigger bombs make us safer. Seems like the thinking of a sadistic child, to me.
Guaranteed there are quid pro quos in the mix here.
The US is trying to get Russia on board for more political pressure/sanctions against Iran. Netanyahu's recent visit to Moscow wasn't a coincidence.
It was/is amusing watching the patriotards squeal over this one. Sure, sure - Gates, Mullen and the Joint Chiefs are all hell bent on selling us out to the Russians.
Between the flag wavers and the Obamabots, rational people are in short supply nowadays.
I don't believe for a minute that anti-missile systems in Europe have anything to do with Iran, and neither do the Russians. They were right all the time about that. It"s much better to continue negotiations to reduce nuclear weapons than spent so much on all this stuff, or try to gin up another Cold War.
When will the killing stop? When will we in the U.S. call a stop to missle defenses, wars, killing, torture etc.?
We calle ourselves a "Christian nation" but we do not behave like Christ would towards our enemies.
Please, President Obama, put an end to the Culture of War & Hate that is supported by the conservatives in our nation.
We dont need a better,or any missile defense strategey in Euopa agains Iran or any other countries,because to be a defense comprised to be a target.
Really?? If this plan is oh so great then why did Poland totally dis SOS Clinton and wouldn't even accept her phone call!? If this plan is so great then why are all of our allies up in arms about this deal? It's because they know it is a load of bull and maybe just maybe they see the U.S. getting in bed with Russia instead of trying to protect them and us.
Funny how GE mysteriously gets a HUGE contract from Russia on the same day that Obama calls off Bush's planned missile defense program. HMM...
Cindy...Ga.
We can speculate all we want............only time will tell!