We Must Continue Efforts to Deploy a European Missile Defense Site (Rep. Trent Franks)

In a nuclear age, in which our enemies and rogue nations continue to blatantly pursue greater and longer range ballistic missile capabilities, it’s impossible to overemphasize the need to work with our allies in building and deploying an effective layered missile defense.  As Members of the United States Congress, our actions carry the potential of determining whether or not our warfighters and other free nations will possess the capabilities necessary to defend themselves against a shared enemy.  Specifically, the proposal to place 10 long-range missile interceptors in Poland and radar in the Czech Republic is absolutely crucial to defending our European friends, our warfighters, and the U.S. homeland from the Iranian ballistic missile threat.

Recently, I had the opportunity to meet with representatives of the government of the Czech Republic.  One of the most compelling points communicated to me was that the funding, opinions, and votes of the U.S. Congress has great affect on the policies of their own country.  This makes perfect sense.  If the U.S. Congress does not demonstrate the commitment to stand by Poland and the Czech Republic, especially in light of Russia’s unreasonable opposition to our placing the defensive interceptors and radar in sovereign nations, how can they possibly feel confident in the plan? I did my best to reassure them that there are individuals on both sides of the aisle who support them, and who are committed to doing everything in our capacity to ensure that Iran and non-state actors do not have the ability to coerce free nations.