The Risks of a Missile Defenseless Europe

Baker Spring / March 18, 2009

According to an Associated Press report “The Czech government on Tuesday postponed a parliamentary vote on a deal to place an American missile defense installation on Czech soil. Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek said the government withdrew the item because it did not have enough votes to pass. ‘It does not mean that we would give up the ratification process,’ Mr. Topolanek said.”

Critics of the planned ground-based missile defense sites in Poland and the Czech Republic that would be used to counter long-range missile threats from Iran against Europe or the United States ought to think twice before assuming this move puts that plan in trouble.

Both opponents of emplacing a missile defense radar in the Czech parliament and the Obama Administration need understand the likely cost of pulling back. (more…)