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By ANNE GEARAN and DESMOND BUTLER
Associated Press Writers
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama on Thursday shelved a Bush-era plan for an Eastern European missile defense shield that has been a major irritant in relations with Russia. He said a redesigned defensive system would be cheaper and more effective against the threat from Iranian missiles.
“Our new missile defense architecture in Europe will provide stronger, smarter and swifter defenses of American forces and America’s allies,” Obama said in an announcement from the White House.
Anticipating criticism from the right that he was weakening America’s security, Obama said repeatedly that this decision would provide more – not less – protection.
“It is more comprehensive than the previous program, it deploys capabilities that are proven and cost effective, and it sustains and builds upon our commitment to protect the U.S. homeland,” he said.
With the announcement, Washington scrapped what had become a politically troublesome plan, and one the Pentagon says was ill-suited to the true threat from Iran. In its place would be a system the Pentagon contends will accomplish the original goal and more.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Iran’s changing capabilities drove the decision, but he acknowledged that the replacement system is likely to allay some of Russia’s concerns.
Full article here
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