Israeli official: Obama's missile defense move good for us

Posted By Thomas E. Ricks Monday, September 21, 2009 - 6:31 PM Share

This angle hadn't occurred to me: The head of the Israeli Space Agency says that the Obama's decision to scrap the deployment of land-based missile defense systems to Eastern Europe is good for Israel. He explains that Israel benefits when U.S.-Russian relations improve:

"Thus far, American attempts to stop the development of an Iranian nuclear bomb have not succeeded -- partially because the Russians have not cooperated with their efforts," he explained. "It is possible that because of this concession -- and it is a concession, even if the Americans said that it was not -- the Russians will be more helpful on Iran and will more support the American initiative."

I also wonder if he believes that having Europe feel a pang of the vulnerability Israel feels about Iran might improve Israel's international position.

AFP/Getty Images

EXPLORE:IRAN, ISRAEL/PALESTINE, MILITARY, NUKES, OBAMA ADMINISTRATION, U.S. FOREIGN POLICY

(4)

HIDE COMMENTS LOGIN OR REGISTER REPORT ABUSE

SEANMCBRIDE

8:29 PM ET

September 21, 2009

The neocon response

The neoconservative wing of the Israel lobby, in their blog network, seems to be treating this policy as an act of outrageous perfidy.

FASHION

5:10 AM ET

September 23, 2009

nice post really , and also

nice post really , and also wanna share some nice ugg boots ,especially uggs boots, uggs boot and uggs for your winter boots shopping.

TIMRCARPENTER

3:26 AM ET

September 24, 2009

Pang of vulnerability?

Can a NATO power really feel vulnerable to nuclear attack by Iran? Perhaps if Iran passes it on to a terrorist network, but not the kind shot into the air with a return address that missile defense could prevent.

The missile defense system was always about neutralizing Russia's stockpile, no matter what any president says. If Iran shot a nuclear missile in any direction beyond its borders, there is a zero percent chance that the regime would survive. Self-preservation is too strong a force to allow any Iranian leader to do something that dumb.

SAM FERGUSON

7:40 AM ET

September 24, 2009

This is an interesting spin

This is an interesting spin on a concession that many Americans will not agree with. I am not an expert on any of this but it sure looks like a cave-in by the Obama administration. We are leaving Poland in the lurch after making promises to them some time ago. Russia has been active in this area (remember Georgia?). Is this a good time to be doing this? casino