Because it works.
Military.com’s Jamie McIntyre reports:
Skeptics of missile defense should take note of Russia’s paranoia about the U.S. missile defense in Europe.
There’s a reason for Russia’s unreasonable stand: Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin believes something many in the U.S. scoff at, namely that the anti-??missile system probably works, and Russia has nothing like it.
President Barack Obama’s desire to reduce the number of nukes is welcome. But he should not sacrifice U.S. missile defense capabilities in order to achieve that goal. Unfortunately, by prioritizing nuclear reductions over missile defense, our President seems to be playing right into Putin’s hands.
The European missile defence has nothing to do with US security. Its sole purpose was to buy eastern European alliegance to the US, with an imaginary defence against potential Russian aggression against them. Not only would it not provide any such defense – Russian aggression will come overland if at all – but the missile shield's existence would hopelessly polarise Russia, by treating them as an enemy of the West. Now, Russia may be a bit hard to handle, but it is an economy inextricably linked with Europe's future via massive trade in energy. Treating Russia like the Cold War is still on is foolish in the extreme, and the sort of strategy best left to die with the previous Administration.
The Heritage documentary "33 Minutes" was excellent. I just recently viewed the film and will be hosting a screening this coming weekend.
What this president is doing with our national security is atrocious. He has already cut funding to our interceptor silos on the western board (our own safety!) to pacify the Russians – and all for nothing but foolishness. The move to cancel the defensive shield housed in Poland and Czeck on the anniversary of the day that Russia invaded Poland is perhaps the most disturbing action this president has taken in the last 11 months.
Hey Dustin, thanks for holding a 33 Minutes screening. Missile Defense is more important than ever. Iran looks at events like the Detroit-bound "crotch bomber" and see it as a sign this administration is weak. Incidents likes this, as well as domestic protests in Iran, only prompt the hardliners there to want to move faster.
FYI Alexander from Sydney is jsut flat wrong. The third site in Europe was specifically designed to counter an Iranian threat and protect both the US and Europe. The location was dictated by geometry not geopolitics
To me it is a commitment issue. The USA committed to instal the missile system in Europe and should keep the commitment. It's to bad if Russia does not like it. We need to treat our friends better then this.
Alexander's comments seem to begin with a false premise and go from there. The purpose was not a missile defense shield against Russia — it was far too small for that, but against far more dangerous states, such as Iran. Putin has made plain he wants ALL U.S. anti-missile defenses dropped, not just those in Europe. If you begin with a false premise, you get a false conclusion.
The European missile defence system is to protect the United States from missiles from Iran. It would only take one of them with a nuclear warhead, detonated in the upper atmosphere, to wipe out the entire US power supply,
potentially killing millions by starvation.
I want to hear more about the other cuts Obama cuts in the military. My nephew is career USAF and says it began under Bush and has now accelerated.
Iran is testing medium range missiles. Iran is trying to get nukes. Enough said.
America would be wise to learn from history. A policy of military strength kept the the nuclear threat in check for more than fifty years and helped bring down the Berlin Wall. By contrast,the stategy of accommodation and dialogue chosen by the Clinton administration in 1992-4 to deal with North Korea's early nuclear ambitions did not prove to be effective. North Korea for sure, and most likely other nations as well, used those years to go forward with development of viable nuclear missle programs. As a result we are now dealing with a far more dangerous world. Now is not the time to downsize our military capabilities.
If Putin's not doing anything wrong, and has nothing to hide, he has nothing to worry about. We've put a lot of effort into helping Russia rebound from the disaster of communism. Another "Cold War" is not part of the plan. We need our President to be firm on national and allied security issues.
Is Iran going to go over land to touch Israel or Alaska too. ? This idiot who is called Commander in Chief is giving up the defenses of the country he took an oath to defend so he, the One, can be liked. And then there's the respect the US needs to get back [supposedly lost by defending us and fulfilling a threat] so he renigs on the defense for Poland. Obama threatened Iran 9/1, 10/1/ 12/1, those dates go by an nothing but another threat – that's earning respect. The anti missile shield is needed [unless you want to disarm [as some do].
Once again we are failing to see the whole picture. Somewhere hidden between the lines is the truth. Putin is an "Old Schooler" who's main intrest is the former Soviet Union. He does not like the fact that former Soviet controled intrest are now free and aligned to the west. This he concieves as a threat directed at Russia. Lets face facts if we have a weapons system that can neturalize a major assault what options does he have left? Like in Sports behind every great Offence is a dominating and decisive Defence. When we can win a battle before it is fought we can save lives,property and human well being then we can insure a strong and lasting peace.
Ronald Reagan once said "There are some who have forgotten why we have a military. It's not to promote war; it's to be prepaired for peace." Many on the Liberal side seem to have forgotten that statement and soon we will be back to the days of Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton.
Alexander,Sydney,Australia, (above) attempts to perpetuate dangerously false information about US missile defense capabilities and intensions.
It is admirable that Heritage maintains an open forum for comments; however,it is essential to identify and address suicidal contentions for what they are. Putin's team are no dummies; the same can not be said for their US counterparts and their disingenuous supporters.
would encourage all to read Ariel Cohne's paper on what Putin is up to. It lays it out pretty well
War between Russia and our European allies would be over in days without some kind of missle deterent. Russia's tanks, like before, would overrun our allies defenses. Putin's big worry is the decimation of his armor in such an attack.
I would be curious to lknow whom precisely is abvising BHO regarding world balance of power issues? He is clearly vapid when it comes to much beyond public speaking in order to spew the company, ( union) line.
I am happy action is been taking to defend our nation and friends oversea from massive missile attack.
Vladimar You have a right to be afraid of
US Missle defense however there will be no
Nuclear missles fired at Russia Us is just
As afraid No one wants to have a nucear war
Especially with me back in Power I am not only
Getting my Throne back in Russia but I am getting
Back my power in US my family built The White
If the US wants to play more nasty and greedier
As for Russia than they have been The President
Will due his term as President in a Hotel If you
Both would quit being childish and face reality
By inviting me back instead of having to go through
World Court we can start dealing with the real world
Peace.Her Imperial Highness Margaret