Editorials

Reports the United States and Poland have agreed on terms for deploying ballistic missile inceptors in the East European country involve both good news and good timing.

The interceptors would work in conjunction with radars that will be deployed in the Czech Republic (announced earlier this year). Together, they will comprise a ground-based missile defense system that would be able to shoot down a limited number of ballistic missiles launched from Iran at targets in Europe or North America.

The latest agreement is good news because it is in the best interest of all members of NATO on both sides of the Atlantic, said James Jay Carafano, a Heritage Foundation national security expert.

NATO has endorsed the concept and the U.S. Congress should fully support deployment of the Western European ballistic missile defense shield, Carafano said.

The Polish-American deal will serve to deter an ascent of an Iranian ballistic missile threat. The whole system might be in place by 2013, and some observers estimate an Iranian threat might be well advanced by then.

There is a chance the deployment of missile defenses that protect Europe against limited attacks, coupled with economic and diplomatic isolation will convince the Iranian government that even if they develop a missile threat, in military terms it will offer them little of practical value.

Another reason the deal between Washington and Warsaw is the right thing to do concerns Russia, Carafano pointed out. Russia has adamantly opposed the land-based missile defense deployments in Europe and even hinted at retaliation for risking their displeasure even though Moscow knows the system is no threat to them.

The decisions by Poland and the Czech Republic show they are willing to stand up to Russian intransigence, observed Carafano. The Polish decision is "particularly courageous" in light of the Russian military incursion into Georgia.

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