Dispute over missile shield
Editorial: 10/7/08
It is interesting that arguably the most bellicose of US presidents in recent times should now be accusing the Russians of bellicosity. But that is what the Bush administration has resorted to in response to the threat from Moscow that Russia will take “military measures” if Washington pressed ahead with its European missile shield based in the Czech Republic and Poland. Russia does not accept the American argument that the defensive missile installation is there to protect Europe from attack from a nuclear-armed Iran. Nor do many other defense analysts. The Kremlin sees that NATO — created to confront the old Soviet Union and its satellites — is now sitting on its Western borders and now the Georgian government is pressing ahead with its intention to join NATO.
See: http://www.arabnews.com/?page=7§ion=0&article=111670&d=10&m=7&y=2008