Russia Adds to Obama's Plate

One short day after Barack Obama’s milestone victory, another issue arose for the president-elect. The country just miles from Alaska responded to America’s “planned missile defense system in Eastern Europe”, the New York Times reports. President Medvedev assured the creation of a short range missile system on the Russian western border if the new president fails to halt the operation.

The Pentagon press secretary defended America’s act by citing “Iran’s growing missile threat.” Of course we also asked for Russia’s involvement in this initiative, but it continued without their announced support. Medvedev’s speech went on to blame America for both their financial troubles and the Georgian conflict while also opening the door for a return of a Putin presidency.

I cannot comprehend even considering something as misguided and provocative as this. Do we enjoy running rampant across the world “defending” ourselves while pissing off country after country? If Iran poses such danger, countries would react accordingly. A unified, European missile system would make too much sense in the Czech Republic and Poland, the proposed sites. Russia remains an important relationship to the United States. Jeopardizing it for something this absurd would be unfathomable.

Much has been thrust at the Illinois Senator, but our global perception must rank high in importance. President Bush drew up much criticism for his overly interventionist behavior. The new president needs to keep such conduct to a bare minimum. Obama has announced his desire to leave Iraq and finish Afghanistan, both completely acceptable. However, I can only hope the hunt for Osama Bin Laden and Al Qaeda does not trample over any more borders.

President Bush has announced he will brief the future president in an effort to ease him into the White House. Obama should listen to everything the current leader has to say. The man deserves more credit than he gets. If anyone knows a lot about American foreign policy, it is the man who totally reshaped it, while tossing our reputation out the window.