Soon after Barack Obama's election, John R. Bolton noted crucial differences in Obama's and Polish president Kaczynski's understanding of the president-elect's position on missile defense. Not even a full year later, the United States has dropped parts of the vital program. Unfortunately proven correct, Ambassador Bolton has written further on the missile defense subject. "Washington has dramatically reduced its presence and isolated its own friends. In Russia and Eastern Europe, the basic political conclusion is straightforward and worrying: Russia, a declining, depopulating power, growled, and the United States blinked. This devastating reaction extends worldwide, especially among our Pacific allies, who fear similar unilateral U.S. concessions in their region."

Three other scholars--Gary J. Schmitt, Thomas Donnelly, and Danielle Pletka--have also expressed concern about the administration's recent decision, fearing that it will chill relations with our allies in Central and Eastern Europe and make the United States more vulnerable.

• Erring on the Side of Incaution by John R. Bolton

• Small Retreats, Adding Up by Thomas Donnelly

• Lesson Learned: Leak Away by Danielle Pletka

• Are We Dropping Missile Defense in Europe? By Gary J. Schmitt