Cancelling Missile Defense

In his continuing effort to make America safer....

oh wait. Wrong guy. Try again...

The Wall Street Journal has this item for you today: "The White House will shelve Bush administration plans to build a missile-defense system in Poland and the Czech Republic, according to people familiar with the matter, a move likely to cheer Moscow and roil the security debate in Europe. The U.S. will base its decision on a determination that Iran's long-range missile program has not progressed as rapidly as previously estimated, reducing the threat to the continental U.S. and major European capitals, according to current and former U.S. officials."

This is major capitulation to bullying by Russia and as Weekly Standard points out, we won't get anything for it. Michael Goldfarb, in fact, digs out this nugget from an April 2009 speech by Obama:

“So let me be clear: Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile activity poses a real threat, not just to the United States, but to Iran's neighbors and our allies. The Czech Republic and Poland have been courageous in agreeing to host a defense against these missiles. As long as the threat from Iran persists, we will go forward with a missile defense system that is cost-effective and proven. If the Iranian threat is eliminated, we will have a stronger basis for security, and the driving force for missile defense construction in Europe will be removed.”

What changed? This certainly will anger and disillusion our European allies even further. It's yet another move to pacify the bullies and dictators of the world while pushing our allies away. And again, we're getting nothing for it. So what's the point? Why?

And what of Israel? This ought to make them feel warm and fuzzy. Nice 'n safe.

You can follow the fallout through the day here, at Memeorandum.