This is a fairly straightforward report on the military and Obama's adminitrations decison to revamp Bush's missile defense system in eastern Europe. In addition to reporting the facts, it reports both Republican and Russian reactions. It refers to Czech and Polish unease but it would have been better to provide some of their specific comments.

This well-written, informative piece describes in some detail the President's reconfigured program for missile defense in eastern Europe, addressing in particular the who, what, where, when and why of the topic. In other words, good journalism. Would that Mr. Boehner and his ilk, who predictably had either nothing good to say, or at best faint praise for this decision, would have read this piece before casting their stones.

An objective news report about Obama radically changing the missile defense system; originally Reagan’s 32-carat, gift wrapped billion-dollar giveaway to defense contractors. Actually a fiasco real experts gave little chance of success. The article cites the reactions of Poland and the Czech Republic. And given the reactions of the special-interest owned Republicans, of the defense industry as well.

The story lacks technical evaluation of the missile systems and any reference to costs. It also does not present the widely held view that the Bush initiative was intended to provoke Russia.

This is a rather short account which leaves a lot of things open. First, no reaction from Poland or the Czech Republic is mentioned, one wonders whether these states have been consulted at all concerning NATO's new strategies. Second, the whole issue now looks like some preparation for a threatening military conflict with Iran, which should make many feel uncomfortable.