Missile Defense in Europe scrapped...

It sure seems like President Obama has never seen a capitulation to a foreign enemy that he wasn't eager to take.

Obama scraps missile defense for Europe

I think this is potentially poor military policy and most definitely terrible diplomatic policy. While I'm generally a fan of Secretary Gates leadership, in this case his comments in making distinctions about medium vs long range missiles are accurate in such a slim sense as to be disingenuous. It's possible that there are better military options than a missile shield, but I think that's far from certain (particularly a missile shield viewed as among a layer of defensive strategies). And the US explananation doesn't exude confidence that they feel any certainty.

My reaction is to wonder what diplomacy school it is that teaches the idea that smart policy is to kick around your closest friends in order to curry favor from people that can not and will not ever like or support you? From a diplomatic standpoint, I am highly dubious that Russia will take this as an opportunity to reciprocate on any sort of strategic issues (such as Iranian nuclear ambitions). Russian diplomacy has been and will continue to be based on an endless lists of grievances against the West. With one matter settled in their favor, they'll simply move on to the next grievence on the list and demand satisfaction. Worse for America, Obama's policy suggests that the US does not have the fortitude to commit to policies that engender disagreement and hostility; at least not from any adversary that is more than a pushover. Leadership is not to making friends with everyone, regardless of the cost (that's "politics.")

The Heritage Foundation offers analysis with a number of useful links. Not all analysts view the announcement with dismlay. Tom Nichols, formerly with the US Naval War College and currently a professer at the JFK School of Government, sees the move in a positive light.

Whatever the merits of the decision, it's especially nice that the U.S. announced it on the day of the 70th anniversary of the Soviet invasion of Poland. You stay classy, America.