Yes

by Robert C. Sage

Created on: January 21, 2008

America should engage in diplomatic discussions with all of Europe, including Russia and look for a solution that minimizes the likelihood of war. It is true that the military situation in Europe has shifted dramatically since the U.S.S.R. collapsed and then again, now that Russia has experienced renewed vitality. It would be pointless to insist on missiles, if they amount to being considered provocative to Russia, like they were to America in the Cuba missile crisis of the early 1960's. Nonetheless, European countries have justifiable concerns over their own defenses and America might help Russia understand that.

The aim of any missile defenses anywhere must be the avoidance of war. The best option would be multi-lateral agreements to limit or eliminate missiles. The cold war practice of engaging Russia in dialog should be resuscitated. Russia may not have returned to "super power" status, but they are not so far away either. Particularly, when America is in economic decline and is militarily over-extended, we need to find pragmatic solutions to maintaining peace. If missile defenses in Europe would not kick off a new arms race and would allow us to substantially reduce our overseas troop commitments, so that our government could concentrate on putting our own house in order, then they might be a good thing. That's a very big "If".

Russia is ignored at our peril. It remains a huge country with enormous resources. It could once again decide to project its military beyond its borders. We should try to convince the Russians of the higher road and lead by example. America's credibility has been weakened by a lack of clear and decisive successes in Iraq and Afghanistan. We need to be much more careful about committing our assets to far flung locales. The US is not the world's policeman, even if we're the strongest country. We must avoid more quagmires, like Iraq and Afghanistan.

The proposal to put defensive missiles in Poland to the north and Slovakia or elsewhere to the south should be a decision that all of Europe is involved in. America should avoid imposing our will on Europe and elsewhere, for that matter. When we make decisions devoid of local input, we are asking for trouble. The European Community as a whole would be impacted by the proposed missile shield, so thorough consultations are needed with the various parties. We better serve ourselves and our allies, when all factors are taken into consideration. Our relationships with allies are strengthened by doing so. It is not our unilateral decision!

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