5 Times Democrats Collaborated With Russia for Political Gain
5. Obama's Missile Defense Program
In 2009, President Obama decided to scrap a missile defense program in Europe that Russia had claimed threatened their nation's nuclear weapons arsenal.
Obama's move was denounced by some Republicans, including former 2012 election opponent Mitt Romney, as "a gift to Russia." It also garnered criticism from Poland and the Czech Republic, who were expecting to benefit from the missile defense shield.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
"Senior sources in Warsaw and Prague said they would insist on the Americans honouring pledges they made to the Nato allies in return for agreeing last year to the plan for missile defence deployments," reported The Guardian.
"The central European countries were keen to acquire the US installations and other military hardware as partial security guarantees against a resurgent Russia."
Eventually, however, in May of 2016 the United States did finally launch a missile shield program that will be operated by NATO.
"The system is to be turned over to NATO command and will be housed at a U.S. naval support facility in Deveselu, Romania, the site of a Romanian military base," reported CNN.
"The U.S. and NATO have continually stressed that the system is intended to defend Europe from Iran and its expanding arsenal. Tehran has continued to test-fire ballistic missiles following the internationally negotiated deal to limit its nuclear program."
