'Defence missiles' are aimed at Iran

In the closing months of the controversial Bush administration, the US has succeeded in persuading Poland to sign a deal allowing "defence missiles" on its territory. Claims by the US and Poland that the missiles are not aimed at anyone in particular are just nonsense. For if they are not aimed at anyone in particular, why have them in the first place?

The truth is, of course, that the missiles are aimed at the "rogue" regime of Iran, in a pathetic attempt to cow Tehran into some form of submissive stance that is acceptable to the US. Such "Cold War" replays will not meet favour with any nation, but especially in the Gulf region where tensions are already high through other arenas created by the US over recent years. It is only to be hoped that the next White House incumbent will have a less jingoistic attitude to foreign policy.