So the Obama Administration has decided to scrap the missile defense systems planned for installation in Poland and the Czech Republic, just as the Russians had been agitating for. The Administration says that a sea-based missile defense will meet our security needs better. Even if that’s true — and it isn’t at all clear that it is — why not use the Eastern European missile defense program as a bargaining chip? It might be worth trading for Russian help with Iran.
But Robert Gibbs said in his briefing today that there was no quid pro quo with Moscow. That’s exactly what makes this decision indefensible.
Further reading here. Comments from John Bolton here (he has unkind words for Secretary Gates).
