Earlier this week, I argued that changes in US missile plans in Eastern Europe were an appropriate military step – as they didn’t actually shield against any realistic Iranian missile threat. I also said that the message it sent Eastern Europe (Poland in particular) was a bad one as it made the US seem less committed to its security against a resurgent Russia. Give though, that the missile defense shield couldn’t possibly defend against Russian missiles, this was more symbolic than real. But why are the Poles so hung up on this symbolism? After all, aren’t they already a part of NATO – which obliges the US (and the rest of the Western world) to defend them in the case of a Russian attack? So why the hand wringing in Warsaw? Could it be that the Poles know perfectly well that by expanding so much, NATO’s defense pledge has started to become meaningless. After all, we are talking about Georgia joining NATO, and no one in their right mind seriously believes that the US would risk thermonuclear war with the Russians were they to march on Tblisi. Further, the Poles can see how NATO allies have totally abandoned US efforts in Afghanistan – the supposed “good war” that European governments supported. The Polish reaction to changes in US missile defense deployment reveals what everyone knows but no one will officially admit – that NATO as we knew it is history.
Polish reaction to Missile Defense moves reveals lack of faith in NATO
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