Obama's Missile Pullback

The Obama administration's decision to not move forward with missile defense installations in Eastern Europe will no doubt raise a huge outcry. Much of this outcry is rooted in the basic premise that these defense installations were never about securing the U.S. but about entrenching our geopolitical influence in Eastern Europe. Those who are upset about this development are framing it not so much as a blow to U.S. security, but as a concession to Russia, which is unforgiveable. Those who will be heartened by the move will also, no doubt, be glad by the signal it sends to Russia that the U.S. is ready to wheel and deal (whether Russia will reciprocate is another story).

But what about the ostensible purpose of the missile shield - the defense of the United States and its allies? The New York Times reports that the administration is not killing regional missile defense but is examining other options, such as installations in Turkey and the Balkans.

(AP Photos)