Some good news

[Zoob]

Here

 

 

S President Barack Obama has shelved plans for controversial bases in Poland and the Czech Republic in a major overhaul of missile defence in Europe. The bases are to be scrapped after a review of the threat from Iran.

 

Mr Obama said there would be a "proven, cost-effective" system using land- and sea-based interceptors against Iran's short- and medium-range missile threat. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has welcomed the US decision, calling it a "responsible move".

 

Russia had always seen the shield as a threat. However, there has been criticism of the decision in conservative circles in the US. The US signed a deal in August 2008 with Poland to site 10 interceptors at a base near the Baltic Sea, and with the Czech Republic to build a radar station on its territory.

 

The US had said the missile shield would be fully operational by 2012. But President Obama this year ordered a review of the defence system, which was strongly backed by his predecessor George W Bush.

 

'Stronger and smarter'

 

On Thursday, President Obama said in a live TV address that the change was needed to "deploy a defence system that best responds to the threats we face".

 

He said a review had shown the need to switch strategy to defending against the short- and medium-range missiles that Iran could use to target Europe. Twice Mr Obama referred to the need for a system that was "proven and cost effective".

He said the new approach would provide "a stronger, smarter and swifter defence" of US and allied forces in Europe.

 

Mr Obama said he had spoken to both the Czech Republic and Poland and stressed his commitments to their defence. But he said again that Russia's concerns about the old system were "entirely unfounded".

 

(etc etc...)

 

 

Was a stupid neo-con plan, probably only devised to further line the pockets of the arms manufacturers. Am very glad to see it binned.

[Falconhoof]

Welcome news, hopefully the British government will now abandon the ridiculous white elephant that is our planned replacement for Trident.

[charlie clown]

He's a friend of the terrorist ah tells ya

[John am Rhein]

Hurrah!

[New York Red]

Not quite sure about what the problem is with a defensive system.

[Red Kent]

Not quite sure about what the problem is with a defensive system.

 

Zonal Marking ?

[Benzo-13]

Not quite sure about what the problem is with a defensive system.

Well.. "I've got this rock in my hand, and I don't see any tigers around..".

[surf]

Not quite sure about what the problem is with a defensive system.

 

costs lots of money and doesnt work

[Falconhoof]

Not quite sure about what the problem is with a defensive system.

 

What is the use of a missile defence shield in Eastern Europe ? Its a continuation of the cold war, an anachronism.

[Tosh]

WILL NO-ONE THINK OF JOHN-AM-RHEIN?

[Duncan Disorderly]

BOOM-BOOM!

[D.Boon]

This is good news and exactly the kind of considered thinking that will see him hounded out at the next election.

[Mr. Biscan]

This is good news and exactly the kind of considered thinking that will see him hounded out at the next election.

 

[Duncan Disorderly]

[charlie clown]

 

we're alright there, she has no idea where Europe is so we can tell here the shields are in place and looking lovely, she'll not worry about it.

[Zoob]

costs lots of money and doesnt work

 

All the better for boosting the profits of the companies who were going to make money from this absurd idea (they'd no doubt go over the $150 billion budget trying to get it to work, when chances are it would never actually work - it's like trying to shoot a gun so that your bullet hits someone else's bullet).

[surf]

you mean it's like buying phil neville for $100m to increase the net spend?

[Zoob]

you mean it's like buying phil neville for $100m to increase the net spend?

 

 

More like firing Phil Neville out of a very very expensive cannon in order for him to crash mid-air into Gary Neville, who has been fired out of another expensive cannon. Great fun if it all works out, but a big waste of time and money otherwise.

[New York Red]

What is the use of a missile defence shield in Eastern Europe ? Its a continuation of the cold war, an anachronism.

 

That isn't what it is for. It is to protect against Iran.

 

It's a game. It happened in the Cold War all the time. It's all strategy.

[New York Red]

costs lots of money and doesnt work

 

One day it will.

[New York Red]

 

It will NEVER happen.

[Benzo-13]

Its an absolute ball(ox) idea. A protection against __________________ .

[John am Rhein]

It is to protect against Iran.

 

[Falconhoof]

That isn't what it is for. It is to protect against Iran.

 

It's a game. It happened in the Cold War all the time. It's all strategy.

 

Iran ? Please tell me you are joking.

[muleskinner]

That isn't what it is for. It is to protect against Iran.

 

It's a game. It happened in the Cold War all the time. It's all strategy.

 

They don't need to worry about Iran really do they?