Obama administration shelves plans for missile defense shield

The Obama administration has shelved plans to build a controversial missile defense shield in Eastern Europe.

In 2007, the Bush administration approved plans to install 10 missile interceptors in Poland and a radar in the Czech Republic. The goal was to intercept mid-range and long-range nuclear missiles that could be launched from Iran.

The plans angered Russian officials who saw this as a threat to their country´s national security. The missile shield was also opposed by some US policy experts who said it hindered disarmament efforts and wouldn´t be effective in stopping missile strikes.

One of those experts is Tom Collina, he´s the research director at the Arms Control Association.  The ACA monitors US security policies and international efforts to reduce nuclear stockpiles. Collina spoke to FSRN Thursday.