Actually there was no thread for Poland from the side of Russia. Poland, IMHO, is willing to become a key country in EU, some kind of US overseer in Europe. The same functions were considered for Georgia in Caucasia. This was a mistake for EU and NATO to extend for account of eastern Europe.

Andrey, Moscow, RUSSIA

I can not imagine the situation when US and Russia will exchange the nuclear strikes. Most probably nukes will be used as deterrent in local conflict with NATO and in this case Poland is target number 1. The matter is that USA will not answer in this case by massive launch of missiles.

Andrey, Moscow, RUSSIA

The risk of Pakistan descending into chaos, with its nuclear arsenal, is more than enough reason for the US and allies to roll-out a missile defense system, such as that to be deployed in Poland and the Czech Republic. Russia should be getting on board rather than catering to the Putin/FSB clique.

John Claro, Cleggan, Ireland

Russia is a bully, as it has often demonstrated with weaker nations in the past, and like all bullies will only back down when firmly confronted.

Simon Marshland, Bath, UK

Isn't Vladmir Strokov's comment so reminiscent of his leader Putin? Dismissive of neighbours, muscle flexing and hot headed. Putin's actions over recent years are the cause of this present instability and it is worrying.

Robert, Bracknell, England

Would I be faced with howls of protest from every burglar in the city if I had the unmitigated gall to put a lock on my front door?

Peter, Vancouver, Canada

All of the problems re: USA v Russia come down to the United States saying the cold war is over, and behaving like it isn't. The USA wanted Georgian troops in Iraq. Bush obviously must have hinted at USA support or else Georgia would have never attacked S. Ossetia & now countless are needlessly dead

Dan, Toronto, Canada

We remember

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katyn_massacre

Alex, Gdańsk,

Poland changed the domination of Russia on the occupation of the USA. Now it gets the status of the goal #1.

Helen, N.Novgorod, Russia

It seems to me that the current situation where one nation is agreeing to intervene if another country attacks 3rd party sovereign territory is pre WW1 entente cordiale all over again. America could easily be drawn into a conventional land war in Europe against Russia, the neighbourhood bully.

Derek, Tralee, Ireland

Newton:

Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.

Einstein:

It is impossible to do only one thing.

Albert, Paris,

I'm surprised how much about the military situation in Europe have the Australians to say, especially knowing their experience of defending their own country (once).

Safe armchair is not the best point of view here in Europe.

Robert, Aldershot,

Ask yourself this? Would Putin have marched into Georgia if they had a proper defence system? I think not. The Poles have had quite enough of jackbooted armies moving to and fro over their fair land. They have made the right decision. Let Putin concern himself with Russia's economic problems.

R. Vasey, Teesside,

Merivel, London, UK

Oh come, study history, Russia doesn't want Poland at all, not bloody sense for that. But they cannot be independent. All these small states changed Russian domination with American own. And that's their destiny, they are not self-sufficient.

Moscow, Moscow, Russian Federation

TO: Mark, London

Thank you, such reasonable people in West as you are only hope for world to live in peace. American parania is camouflage for aggression and financial crisis. They (US government and president) are desparate for war. Remember how WWII saved USA from new bigger crisis afteê 1929

Vitaly, Moscow, Russia

If Islam could get the USA and Russia into open war against each other over missiles in Poland set up to thwart Iranian/Islamic missiles, they would get a victory and great satisfaction.
I reckon Islam could easily win this war of terrorism just by getting the two great powers at each other.

G Gibson, Sydney, Australia

To Robin: "...the (Poland) suffering she endured under the USSR..."
Main suffering was cheap oil and a market for Polish low quality goods.

alex, Riga,

I can not imagine the situation when US and Russia will exchange the nuclear strikes. Most probably nukes will be used as deterrent in local conflict with NATO and in this case Poland is target number 1. The matter is that USA will not answer in this case by massive launch of missiles.

Andrey, Moscow, RUSSIA

I thought we had managed to get through the Bush presidency without him starting WW III. Looks like I may have been premature...

Tony Jones, Grantham, Lincs

Anyone remember the recent Army day celebrations in Moscow on 9/05? Have a look on youtube...

To understand the decision the Poles have made, you must know a lot more about her history.And to be honest most Poles probably prefer a few USarmy bases on their soil,than Putins puppets throwing weight

Maggie, Warsaw, Poland

The U.S. has an obligation to defend Poland as part of NATO. Given Iran's behavior, it is logical to prepare a defense of Poland and Europe against small-scale missile attack. Though the system is useless against Russia, it does put US troops in Poland, guaranteeing a defense against Russia attack.

Walter, East Hampton, USA

If NATO possesses a 100% secure missile defence system, then an attack by NATO on a "rogue state" would be invincible. Defence aids attack and it is misleading to claim this Polish missile systen is purely defensive.

Christopher Noble, broadstone, UK

Poland rightly fears that ex-KGB cold warrior Putin and stooge Medvedev might have expansionist desires in years to come. Poland just wants to defend itself and memories of Soviet occupation have not been forgotten. Concerning sovereignty, ask Polish people if they want to sell it to Russia again.

John, Detroit, USA

I've been thinking about this for a while. in the end, better with than without. besides, if the rest of the world won't lift a finger to protect us, some of us have our own plans for defence...

anon, somewhere in, Poland

Oh please... no one wants war and death of the innocent. But people shouldn't stand aside and watch their neighbors gets killed by the aggresor. Countries have the rights to protect themselves. If I were neighbors to Russia and China, I'd be nervous... given their history. I am nervous.

Kim, Hue, VN

It seems 10 interceptor missiles is nothing against hundreds of russian nuclear warheads. Polland is so afraid of Russia that puts itself at much higher risk then gets protection from US.

Arseniy, Russia,

Location of installing these missiles is somewhat confusing! If the intent is protection from N. Korea and Iran, why choose Poland? Why not Alaska and other places closer and facing Iran? Very difficult to understand! May be I have to study a bit about these shields! If not surely it’s a bellicos.

Ravanan, Colombo,

In 1939 Poland had an agreement with the British Empire, a fat lot of good it did them, How would America react if Russia did a deal like this with Cuba or Panama,or colombia. Russia has been censured for creating borders arbitrarily, the west did exactly the same in the middle east after WW1

Eddy, Bury St.Edmunds, uk

Russia still behaves as if Poland and others in Eastern Europe 'naturally' belong to them.

It's a missle defense system and not an attack system. The statement that this defense system automatically makes them a Russian target (by their generals) baffles me.

Paul, London,

Mark in London,that's right,Poland sold its sovereighnity to America and the Americans do what they ever did:corrupt other countries and spread discord.The Polish aren't able for new thinking.They are sure, the Patriots they will get from the USA, also protect them against Germany,

Rolf-Peter, Gammertingen, Germany

Saakashvili picked this fight ...deliberately. Two weeks ago missile defence and Georgian EU/NATO membership were gathering dust somewhere. Two weeks later, membership is a done deal and the US is signing countries up for missile defence. American paranoia reigns and Europe bought the swampland!

Daisy, Toronto,

Adam, London:
This systems MAINLY protects the US - provided it works reliably which it doesn't jet. That is why you took it ONLY with Patriot missiles by the side, remember? And that is why nobody else Europe wanted these missiles on it's soil, INCLUDING the Checs and the UK.... Scamed? Yes!

Sven, Germany, Europe

to Daniel K888, Melbourne , Australia

Let's make Australia being Russia and a bit maybe for Kenya...

Adam, London,

I wonder what would happen if Russia built a defensive misile site in a friendly country like Cuba....

Martin, Poole, UK

Finally, Poland is part of NATO. She deserves to be after the suffering she endured under the USSR and especially the atrocities committed against her people by the Russians at the close of WWII. History, which is very likely to repeat. Welcome to the West Poland, we love you.

Robin, Canada

Robin Hittos, Victoria, BC, Canada

US is safe as any attacks on its soil should penetrate these shields – means logically Poland will have to be the first target – A Buffer State. Seemingly, for the Eastern Europe, there is a change of masters but not in its Status quo – always destined to remain buffer zone to one or the other.

Naina Neelamani, Colombo,

Now, the Poles will probably accuse the Czechs of acting offensively towards Poland and we can all burn in the nuclear catastrophe that has been caused by Bush meddling were he isn't wanted!

I despair for the welfare of my children and grandchildren!

Await the next step......

Darren Ward, Mancheste,

Among Nato countries, the Netherlands hosted US nuclear weapons and operates a Patriot missile battery. But does it make sense to accuse the Netherlands of aggression towards, say, Germany? To say that would be rubbish, and the same here - accusing Poland of aggression is rubbish.

Marcin, Warsaw, Poland

Mark and Paul; you sound too young to remember doing 'nuclear attack exercises' in school, when we had to climb under our desks to protect us from a full Soviet Nuclear attack: In Surrey.

To refuse to take the only defence against nuclear inter-continental ballistic missiles is suicidal.

Zen, London,

I am living near Belarus border in Russia and know that if Americans try to attack our country using Polish puppet then we strike Warsaw with all we have.

Vladmir Strokov, Bryansk, Russia

And so,on the 19/8/08, Nato becomes the aggresor. Expanding our bounderies under the trojan horse of "defense".
We are going to pay a price that cannot be estimated for this.

Chris, rochdale, GB

The U.S. future missile interceptor site in Poland is no threat to Russia, and the Russian fears and tough language are not in the right place and time.
Russia is moving to its past, not future. What sense in the efforts to reinstitute the fallen Soviet Empire under Russian nationalistic flag?

DAVID DASTYCH, Warsaw, Poland

As long as this irritates Russia, we will then see what the angry bear does and all will see that NATO, Europe and the US have been asleep at the wheel. A timely reminder that we should nver trust Russia, especially as she sells us most of our Gas!

Nick, Henley,

Wrong move in my opinion. Russians are our neighbours, not particularly friendly, but you should try and keep on good terms with your neighbours and not try and win America's approval.

Eva, London,

somebody somewhere is definitely planning a big war!! i cannot see the benefit of poland wanting such device if russia were to invade in tanks!

brian, scotland,

Poland already has a border with Russia - the enclave of Kaliningrad (formerly part of German East Prussia). Get your geography right.

Peter McKerrow, London, UK

I would say that it's sold it's soverignty to Israel, as they run the USA.

John, Glasgow,

Mark, London

At least it's better than one more country losing its sovereignty to a paranoid, corrupt country led by an undemocratically elected dictator....

Paul Singh, London, UK

Yuo can't blame them after 'Georgia'.....

An own goal by Russia -- in the long run

Phil, Preston,

These Polish will be the death of us all- nothing more dangerous than a victim mentality.
It's easy to see they havent run their own country for hundreds of years as they are completely incompetent at it...
Maybe we could split Poland, half for Russia, Half for the EU, or even for Germany.

Daniel K888, Melbourne , Australia

"Maybe Poland should have given this missile defence system and its impact on the whole of European security more thought." - Paul, Milton Keynes

With Russia running riot in Georgia as it pleases, killing and maiming as it goes, I think Poland has got it just about right.

Simon, Dublin, Ireland

Paul

Don't be so naive. Russia will only behave in a civilised manner if it knows aggressive action will be met in kind. It took the deployment of cruise missiles in the 80s to get the soviets to agree arms reduction. Talk softly but carry a big stick when dealing with Russia.

Peter, London,

There's nothing for the Poles in this whatever, it's turning Poland into 1960's Cuba . Anyway - the system doesn't work, plus Russia will devise countermeasures, and of course Georgia's fate is now irrevocably sealed. Another eastern bloc president just got a fat brown envelope of dollars then.

Roarke, Wembley, UK

This is the decision not only made by Poland and the USA but also by NATO and EU. This system is awaiting in Europe by all EU countries and would be build elsewhere in the EU if Poland did not agree for it. One of the proposals was a site in the UK. This missile system increases EU and USA security

Adam, London,

Maybe Poland considered acts of Russian aggression in the past (eg WWII), what Russians did to the Polish population and PoWs, and the post War de facto occupation of Poland by the USSR for decades. Has a member of NATO no scope for a DEFENCE system, because we STILL think appeasement works?

Merivel, London, UK

I understand Poland's fears. Her spying radars would be
the first things to be destroyed in any military action,
nuclear or non-nuclear, just in case. Not particularly sorry
about Poland though, they made their choice on their free will.

RG Weiss, St Petersburg, Russia

hey poland sorry, dont polarise europe while looking for greener pastures......america are world shenanigans that is anxious always.

Maash , Nairobi, Kenya

Stop this pathetic panic-driven response. Poland's standpoint is sensible; having freed themselves from Russian domination they understand the reality. Russia's condemnation is understandable, predictable and wrong, and nor will Russia use a nuclear weapon in Europe. Learn to detect rhetoric.

Jon Keable, London, England

The first steps to WW3?

jayil, london, uk

US is willing to initiate the confrontation with Russia in Europe. "Separate and dominate" - very simple politics. It is especially effective in conditions of US slump.

Andrey, Moscow, RUSSIA

Iran would pay a fortune to have Russia install a missile defence system on their land.

jayil, london, uk

Poland defenitely would have thought about the possible repurcussions and threats it may have ,before signing .If so
good. Else they are inviting national tension . The primary responsibility of a nation is peace for the people .America
is interested only in America .Who do they think they are.

Thadathil Abraham Luckose, CALICUT -KERALA, INDIA

Paul, and what would you prefer better? That Eastern Europe again pays with its freedom for your safety? We have a right to protect ourselves. I am very sorry that this endangers Europe but we are not willing to surrender to Russia again, just so that we have "peace" again. That happend after WWII.

Marek, Bratislava, Slovakia

it seems very ridiculous bcoz we have came out of dark period of cold war after 1989.
It seems again start of such war and polish must think again about this.

all the best,
Qaiser PVL.
Pakistan.

Qaiser Pvl, Sialkot, Pakistan

We should be doing everything in our power to reduce East-West tension and continue the recent advances made in putting the cold war behind us. The very emergence of good relations between Poland and the west is a sign of that reduction in tension. Installing missiles in Poland will wreck everything

Edmund Burke, Kingston upon Thames, England

The silence of former president George H. W. Bush and his former national security advisor, General Brent Scowcroft, is most perplexing. We need to hear a Yea or Nay on the missile defense shield from these two seminal giants, who transformed our world when they ushered in the end of Cold War.

Brian K. Doan, Washington , USA

America has opened its present face. This Military Base will be directed against Russia. How long time they lay us about Iran threat.Three years.Ok. We'll not have a choice and our rockets with nukes will be set on KUBA.

Don, Tatarstan, Russian Federations

I'm sure Russia can and will have a missile shield of their own in various middle eastern countries, it seems they can be very accomodating and sympathetic to such nations.

Dan, Barnsley,

Maybe Poland should have given this missile defence system and its impact on the whole of European security more thought.
It makes me feel very uncomfortable thinking Europe could be turned into a radioactive wasteland just so the American military industry turns in a profit.

Paul Gibbons, Milton Keynes, UK

One more country that sold its sovereignty to America.

Mark, London,