Predictable and expected though it may be, President Obama's abandonment of missile defense for two allies will only further what is perceived as weakness in the current administration's foreign policy approach. Putin 1, Obama 0.
Here's a British view of it. And another view. I wonder if announcing this on the 70th anniversary of the Soviets invading Poland was purposeful.
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4 comments:
The United States is not the policeman of the world. Nor should it be. I'm not sure what the use of a missile defense shield in Eastern Europe was in the first place. First, it's a long way from the United States. Second, in the worlds of former Secretary of State Zbigniew Brzezinski, "A scheme that doesn’t work, against a threat that doesn’t exist, in countries that don’t want it." I realize that this may be seen as a sign of weakness in Russia, but honestly, do we really want to burn bridges with Russia? Relations Russia have never been great, and when Russia is a country trying to reassert itself, I think it might be a good strategy to give Russia some space. The fact that it was a decision announced by George W. Bush-nominated Secretary of Defense Robert Gates puts an air of legitimacy to it as well.
My first reply was too harsh. I'm editing.
I grew up with the USSR and Soviet expansion. It is not dry history to me. I don’t believe it is “history” at all to Putin. He is a hardliner. Appeasing Russia is not sound foreign policy, but appeasement is what Obama is doing. What does the Eastern Europe have to do with the US? Besides our NATO obligation to their defense? Hmmm. How about it is a strategic defense against future nuclear weapons from Iran, etc., which by the way the news yesterday confirmed now has nuclear capabilities.
As far as Secretary of State Zbigniew Brzezinski goes - yea...let's quote a Jimmy Carter administration member. We all know what a strong foreign policy Carter had .... Puh leese.
I quote from a Washington Times editorial:
The Kremlin is delighted. The United States unilaterally backed down in face of a Russian demand with no promise of reciprocity. This move decidedly strengthens Moscow's hand without any appreciable gain for the United States. There is no reason to expect any gratitude. The Russian line will be that Mr. Obama made a pragmatic choice based on the faltering economy and his unwillingness to challenge mighty Moscow. It is a huge win for the Kremlin that adds to Russia's current momentum and reinforces the president's growing appearance of international impotence.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/sep/18/obamas-anniversary-gift-to-russia/
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