Obama's missing defense won't replace missile defense

Presidential candidate Barack Obama argued in 2008 for “proven and cost effective” missile defense. President Obama promised “phased and adaptive” missile defense. But other than pairing adjectives, Obama has done little to build a working missile defense. His first move was backward: gutting much of the Bush missile defense plan. That included canning land-based interceptors in Poland that would have shielded our troops and allies in Europe from the growing threat of Iranian nuclear missiles.

He also cut back on the number of planned ground-based interceptors in Alaska, designed to protect from a North Korean attack.