Research Briefing

On 70th Anniversary of Soviet Invasion, Obama Breaks Pledges To Eastern European Allies And American Voters

OBAMA ABANDONS OUR ALLIES

This Morning, In “Move Likely To Cheer Moscow And Roil The Security Debate In Europe,” Obama “Told East European States He Is Backing Away From Plans For An Anti-Missile Shield There.” (Peter Spiegel, "U.S. Shelves Nuclear-Missile Shield," The Wall Street Journal, 9/17/09; Jana Mlcochova and Gabriela Baczynska, "U.S. Backs Away From Missile Shield In Europe," Reuters, 9/17/09)

• Today Is 70th Anniversary Of Soviet Invasion Of Poland.  “For Poland, the timing of the announcement is particularly sensitive. Thursday marked the 70th anniversary of the Soviet invasion of eastern Poland following a pact between Moscow and Nazi Germany, an event seen by Poles as ‘a stab in the back.’” (Jana Mlcochova and Gabriela Baczynska, "U.S. backs away from missile shield in Europe," Reuters, 9/17/09)

Missile Defense Shield Was Designed To Defend U.S. Allies In Eastern Europe Against “Missile Launches From ‘Rogue’ States.” “The shield, involving interceptor missiles in Poland and a radar complex in the Czech Republic, was promoted by Obama’s predecessor George W. Bush to defend against any missile launches from ‘rogue’ states such as Iran and North Korea.” (Jana Mlcochova and Gabriela Baczynska, "U.S. Backs Away From Missile Shield In Europe," Reuters, 9/17/09)

AND BREAKS HIS PLEDGES TO ALLIES AND AMERICAN PEOPLE

In April, Obama Pledged To Allies U.S. Would “Go Forward With A Missile Defense System” As Long As Iranian Threat Remained. OBAMA: “So let me be clear: Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile activity poses a real threat, not just to the United States, but to Iran’s neighbors and our allies. The Czech Republic and Poland have been courageous in agreeing to host a defense against these missiles. As long as the threat from Iran persists, we will go forward with a missile defense system that is cost-effective and proven. If the Iranian threat is eliminated, we will have a stronger basis for security, and the driving force for missile defense construction in Europe will be removed.” (President Obama, Remarks At Hradcany Square, Prague, Czech Republic, 4/5/09)

And During Presidential Campaign, Obama Pledged To American Voters He Would “Reestablish America’s Strong Partnership with Our European Allies.” “Barack Obama and Joe Biden will reestablish America’s strong partnership with our European allies. An Obama administration will restore the era – dating back to Presidents Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy and others – when a U.S. president could rally European support because he was respected and admired abroad. After eight years of often gratuitous unilateralism, arrogance, and lack of diplomacy, Barack Obama and Joe Biden will treat allies with respect, repair America’s damaged moral authority, and recreate a mutually beneficial partnership with valuable partners.” (Obama For America, “Barack Obama And Joe Biden: A Stronger Partnership With Europe For A Safer America,” Fact Sheet, 10/14/08)

WEAKENING U.S. ALLIANCES AND EMBOLDENING ROGUE NATIONS

Former Secretary of Defense Cohen: “Cutting missile-defense funding at this critical juncture sends the wrong signal to both our adversaries and our allies. It would embolden North Korea, Iran and other rogue states to pursue missiles of increasing range.” (William Cohen, Op-Ed, "COHEN: No Time To Cut Missile Defense," The Washington Times, 5/28/09)

Staunch U.S. Allies Likely To Feel The Consequences. “Ukraine, Georgia and other Kremlin foes in the ex-Soviet Union may be the first to feel the consequences… Poland and the Czech Republic are also nervous. In Warsaw, the timing of the U.S. move is particularly delicate as it coincides with the 70th anniversary of the Soviet invasion of eastern Poland… Analysts are particularly concerned about Ukraine, which faces a presidential election next January. Most of Russia’s vast gas exports flow through its territory and the country reluctantly hosts a large Russian naval base.” (Michael Stott, "Demise Of U.S. Shield May Embolden Russia Hawks," Reuters, 9/17/09)

Move Shows “Willingness To Sacrifice American Allies.” “This is bad news for all who care about the US commitment to the transatlantic alliance and the defence of Europe as well as the United States. It represents the appalling appeasement of Russian aggression and a willingness to sacrifice American allies on the altar of political expediency. A deal with the Russians to cancel missile defence installations sends a clear message that even Washington can be intimidated by the Russian bear.” (Nile Gardiner, “Barack Obama Surrenders To Russia On Missile Defence,” Telegraph, 9/17/09)

Eastern Europe Already Feels Forgotten By Obama. "Czechs feel betrayed, Poles irked, Romanians slighted. Ask them who’s to blame, and the answer may come as a surprise: President Barack Obama…. Czech and Polish leaders bristle at America’s new ambivalence over a Bush administration plan to base a missile defense shield in the two ex-communist countries.”  (William J. Kole, "Eastern Europe Not Feeling The Love From Obama," The Associated Press, 9/14/09)

Obama Chooses Russia Over “Two Key NATO Allies.”  “President Barack Obama faces the dilemma of either setting back the gradual progress toward repairing relations with Russia or disappointing two key NATO allies that agreed to host components of the planned system.” (Anne Gearan and Desmond Butler, "AP Sources: US To Reveal Euro Missile Defense Plan," The Associated Press, 9/17/09)

Obama Administration Missile Defense Cut “Will Be Hailed By The Kremlin As A Big Victory.” “The U.S. move on the shield -- due to be announced later on Thursday but already flagged by Czech and Polish officials -- removes at a stroke the biggest outstanding obstacle to bilateral relations between the former superpowers and will be hailed by the Kremlin as a big victory.” (Michael Stott, "Demise Of U.S. Shield May Embolden Russia Hawks," Reuters, 9/17/09)

Moscow Could Read Move As “A Sign Of Weakness.” “Western concepts of ‘win-win’ deals and Obama’s drive for 21st century global partnerships are not part of its vocabulary… Diplomats here say Moscow hardliners could read the shield backdown as a sign of Washington’s weakness. Far from doing the bidding of the United States, they may instead press for further gains to shore up Russian power in the former Soviet bloc.” (Michael Stott, "Demise Of U.S. Shield May Embolden Russia Hawks," Reuters, 9/17/09)

Russia Welcomes News, Offers No Concessions. “Russia on Thursday welcomed the news, but said it saw no reason to offer concessions in return.” (Peter Spiegel, "U.S. Shelves Nuclear-Missile Shield," The Wall Street Journal, 9/17/09)