Obama, Gates defend move to scrap Bush missile shield

The Obama administration moved this weekend to quell fierce criticism over its decision to scrap former President George W. Bush's plan for a missile defense system in Russia's backyard.

Although Mr. Bush argued that his plans to deploy interceptor missiles in Poland and a radar station in the Czech Republic were aimed at preventing threats from Iran, Moscow repeatedly said it was aimed against Russia, and has lauded Obama's decision.

Conservatives and security hawks have decried the move as a dangerous capitulation to Russia.

Former presidential contender Sen. John McCain (R) of Arizona led the charge.

"This decision calls into question the security and diplomatic commitments the United States has made to Poland and the Czech Republic, and has the potential to undermine perceived American leadership in Eastern Europe," Senator McCain said in a statement. "Given the serious and growing threats posed by Iran’s missile and nuclear programs, now is the time when we should look to strengthen our defenses, and those of our allies."

McCain also said the change in US direction is "seriously misguided" and a "victory for [Russian Prime Minister Vladimir] Putin."

Gates answers critics

But it's the critics who are misguided, according to an opinion piece by Defense Secretary Robert Gates that ran in Saturday's New York Times.
Mr. Gates, a Republican who served in senior positions during both Bush presidencies, lashed out at anyone seeking to portray the move as a concession to the Russians.

"I believe this is a very pragmatic proposal. I have found since taking this post that when it comes to missile defense, some hold a view bordering on theology that regards any change of plans or any cancellation of a program as abandonment or even breaking faith," Gates wrote.

"We are strengthening – not scrapping – missile defense in Europe," Gates wrote, noting that the previous program would not have been operational until at least 2017 at the earliest and insisted the shift provided "greater flexibility to adapt as new threats develop and old ones recede."

Under the new plan, the US would initially deploy ships with missile interceptors and later would field land-based defense systems. The change in plans follows a shift in intelligence assessments that concluded that Iran's short- and medium-range missile arsenal is a greater threat than its yet-to-be-developed long-range missiles.

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