Behind their push for the deployment of these 'missile interceptors' to Eastern Europe, the Bush regime wanted other nations to respond to their strident advance across sovereign borders like adolescents to their paternalistic imperialism.
If the Obama WH is going to alter that opportunistic course, and repair relationships around the globe with their stated intention to lead with their diplomacy, they should reject this coercive protection scheme and reject these missile 'umbrellas'. These insecure military constructions will do little to shield against the mushrooming, destabilizing consequences which accompanied the last administration's reflexive reliance on these types of military provocations to advance their petty politics.
Whether the god-awful things actually work is certainly important, but the Obama administration's most vital concern should be whether these destabilizing systems are being deployed in response to an actual threat, and, if that perceived threat can, instead, be lessened or eliminated by the careful diplomacy promised in the campaign.
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).