U.S. Weighs Integrating Russia Into Missile Plan

A Russian-operated radar station in Gabala, Azerbaijan, is seen in this May, 2006 file photo. U.S. missile defense experts on Tuesday visited the Gabala radar station in Azerbaijan at the heart of Moscow's offer of cooperation against potential missile threats from nations including Iran. AP Photo

From The Washington Post:

Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III told Congress yesterday that the Obama administration is exploring ways to involve two Russian radar installations in a missile-defense system for Central Europe.

The comment raised new doubts about whether the administration would stick with its predecessor's plan to put U.S. interceptors in Poland and a radar station in the Czech Republic, which has been coolly received by Russia and some in Europe.

"We are looking at the alternatives in Europe, including the Polish-Czech option, to defend against an Iranian missile threat," Lynn told the Senate Armed Services Committee. "We are exploring the cooperation with the Russians . . . [and] we haven't made a final decision on how to proceed there."

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My Comment: This is what I call a trial balloon from the White House. They want to see what the blowback will be if they rescind their missile deployment agreements with Poland and The Czech Republic, and throw their lot with Russia.

If the White House decides to do this, they should position themselves to get a lot from Russia .... and I mean a lot.