After Georgia conflict – Missile agreement with Poland intensifies danger of US-Russian clash

Dandelion Salad

By Patrick Martin
http://www.wsws.org
16 August 2008

The agreement between the United States and the right-wing government of Poland to base a US anti-missile system in that country is the first major response of American imperialism to the Russian intervention in Georgia.

The Bush administration has pressed Poland and the Czech Republic to accept US anti-missile systems and radar installations on the pretext that they are being deployed to prevent an attack on Europe by Iran, which possesses neither the required ballistic missile warheads nor nuclear weapons. Despite vehement protests from Moscow, US officials have denied that the anti-missile systems represent a threat to Russia.

However, the circumstances in which the agreement with Poland was signed make clear that it is directed against Moscow. Long stalled by wrangling between Warsaw and Washington over Polish demands for high-tech anti-aircraft systems as the price for basing the missiles, the pact was wrapped up within days of the appearance of Polish President Lech Kaczynski alongside Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili at an anti-Russian rally in Tbilisi.

After Georgia conflict Missile agreement with Poland intensifies danger of US-Russian clash.

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see

Russia-Asia cooperation a nightmare for US hawks

Missile Defense: Washington & Poland just moved the World closer to War

Inventing Your Own History As It Happens By John Steppling

Will American Insouciance Destroy the World? By Paul Craig Roberts

Background on Georgia by Bruce Gagnon

Georgia