Obama offers to scrap missile shield for help on Iran from Russia.

There is a tremendous flaw in Obama's logic surrending our missile defense shield to Russia.

President Obama put the Kremlin to the test yesterday by offering to scrap a missile defence shield in Eastern Europe if it helped to stop Iran building a nuclear bomb. He used the second day of the Reset Summit in Moscow to urge a new era of partnership between Russia and the US in combating the spread of nuclear weapons to rogue states and terrorists. “That is why we should be united in opposing North Korea’s efforts to become a nuclear power and preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon,” Mr Obama said. “I know Russia opposes the planned configuration for missile defence in Europe . . . I have made it clear that this system is directed at preventing a potential attack from Iran and has nothing to do with Russia,” he told an audience of students from the New Economic School in Moscow. “I want us to work together on a missile defence architecture that makes us all safer. But if the threat from Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programmes is eliminated, the driving force for missile defence in Europe will be eliminated. That is in our mutual interest,” he said.

Why would Russia care if Iran has a nuclear weapon? In their view, Iran is one of their best nuke based customers, nothing has been in the past or future Iran would shoot at Russia and it keeps America/EU occupied. Its a win/win because Russia can cool its heels while listening to Obama willing to give up defense systems.

He disappointed liberal critics of the Kremlin by avoiding direct criticism of Russia over democracy and human rights. Mr Obama praised Mr Medvedev at a meeting with civil society groups for easing restrictions imposed by Vladimir Putin on non-governmental organisations.

Obama doesn't do that unless you are a poor Latin America country trying to make sure your Chavez lapdog leader rewrites the constitution despite everyone else saying no.