Defen
se Secretary Robert Gates traveled to Moscow April 22 to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and other Russian officials to discuss the planned deployment of US missile defense systems in Eastern Europe. Despite repeated assurances from US officials that the deployment poses no threat to Russia, Putin and other Russian officials have remained in strong opposition. US officials have been in negotiations with Poland and the Czech Republic as sites to position long-range ground-based interceptors and missile defense radars to help counter potential threats from Iran or any rogue nation.
Air Force Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich assumed command of U.S. European Command on July 1, taking over the key assignment as the U.S. and its allies contend with a resurgent Russia and a grinding war in Ukraine.
