Agree to Disagree on Missile Defense

President Bush and Russian President Vladamir Putin met Sunday in what would be their last meeting as heads-of-state. Despite the rising tensions between the two countries ever since Bush took office in 2001 (and as Russia slides towards authoritarianism), Putin and Bush have maintained a somewhat civil (albeit awkward) personal relationship.

The leaders promised to continued cooperation between the two countries heading forward, but disagreed on the issue of missile defense. Russia remains opposed to U.S. plans to build missile defense systems in Poland and the Czech Republic. As nuclear nonproliferation seems to be going nowhere, both the US and Russia have agreed on the importance of establishing a global missile defense system. However, the implications of the U.S. plans to establish missile defense systems in the Czech Republic and Poland (given the countries' geographic location) are clear: the U.S. doesn't trust Russia. Nonetheless, President Bush assures Putin the missile defense system is not directed at Russia.

Bush's visit with Putin comes just days after Bush's failed effort to grant Ukraine and Georgia NATO membership at this week's Bucharest summit meeting. Again, the implications of Bush's plan were clear. Ukraine and Georgia are of the utmost geopolitical significance to Russia. France and Germany opposed the bids for membership citing "concerns about upsetting relations with Russia."

I was under the impression that the debate over missile defense systems was moot. Historically, the technology of missile defense systems has failed. Additionally, the proliferation of missile defense systems will undoubtedly drive the incentive to build more missiles and nukes. The Bush Administration has long neglected the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty; now, they are actively pursuing a course of action that could result in another arms race.

See how the story was covered in Russia, per Russia Today.