Cold War II

For at least two years, the U.S. has been in talks with the CR and Poland about placing a missile-interceptor site in one of the countries. The U.S.'s program is usually perceived as solely defensive, but an article in Foreign Affairs argues that it could instead serve primarily an offensive purpose. The authors say that the U.S. is apparently trying to achieve global nuclear primacy and would be able to destroy most of Russia's or China's nuclear arsenals in a preemptive first strike. The missile- interceptor sites could be used to protect against any remaining retaliatory capability. This has raised concerns in Russia about the onset of a new Cold War. Some Czech officials have supported the missile-defense idea and say a public debate is needed. This would be especially true if the CR were put in the position of being a host for a potential nuclear attack on Russia or China. [Czech Republic Nato MAD]