"Flexibility" - US cancels key part of European missile defense.

"Flexibility" - US cancels key part of European missile defense.(TOI).The Obama administration announced Friday that it is abandoning a key part of its European missile defense plan: an interceptor that had been strongly opposed by Russia. It cited development problems and a lack of money.

The cancellation of the interceptors, which were to be deployed in Poland and possibly Romania early next decade, offers a potential opening for new arms control talks. Russian officials suspect the interceptors were a counter to their missiles and had indicated that they would not consider further nuclear arms cuts unless their concerns were resolved.

Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel announced the cancellation Friday as part of an overall restructuring of the missile defense plans aimed at stopping missiles from North Korea and Iran. He made no reference to Russia’s objections to the European plans in his announcement. He said that other parts of the missile defense plans in Europe would move forward and that the US commitment to missile defense in Europe “remains ironclad.”

The issue is particularly sensitive because Obama was overheard whispering over an open microphone last year, telling then-President Dmitry Medvedev at an international summit that he would have more flexibility on resolving their differences over the missile defense program after his re-election in November. The comment suggested that he might change the plans in Europe.Hmmmm.....If you want to know a man's true character...give him power.Read the full story here.