Missile derision

If there was still any doubt, the Kremlin demonstrated on Fri. that Vladimir Putin's opposition to U.S. missile-defense plans in Central Europe is no passing phase. Russian state TV showed him upbraiding U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Robert Gates. He mocked the missile-defense plans by saying that one day perhaps such a shield could be put on the moon. The U.S. is used to encountering envy, hatred, and fear, but mockery isn't something it expects even from a worthy enemy, much less a "friend." It was another sign that the U.S. alone is unable to make diplomatic headway with Russia on issues of defense and democracy. To the Czechs, it's another sign that if they want to be seen as a constructive partner, they need to widen the missile-defense dialog to include their European allies. Going it alone isn't working for the U.S., and it won't likely work for the CR either.