CNN reports the Obama administration has decided not to go forward with the missile shield for Europe. Components of the system were to be located in Poland and the Czech Republic.
Both of these countries greatly offended neighbor Russia in order to agree to U.S. basing in their countries. Now they don't get the missile shield and their neighbor Russia is still angry at them. In other words, Obama decided it was more important to please Russia than to protect Europe from Iranian nuclear missiles.
This is a glaring example of dumping two small friends to try to snuggle up to a larger one. Can you imagine any small country will trust the U.S. again anytime soon?
It was once said that U.S. politics ended at the waterline, that our diplomacy was apolitical. If it was ever true, it is true no longer.
Thanks to Obama it is now clear to every potential ally (or enemy) of the U.S. that our political parties have different diplomatic styles and goals. Within two or four years our next election may (or may not) change whatever deal you've struck with us.
Being an unreliable partner does not build trust.
