High Noon for Eastern Europe?

Recently, VDH discussed some surprising changes being forced on Western Europe by the "new politics" here in the U.S. Here, Wretchard discusses the changes being forced upon Eastern Europe - perhaps with the unintended consequence down the road of increased nuclear armament. Glance through the comments for some interesting points of view.

Actually, Donald Rumsfeld started the trend toward making Western Europe more responsible for its own defense, when he announced the closing of US bases in Germany and elsewhere after the start of the Iraq war. Many Germans who decried American military imperialism were, ironically, not real enthusiastic about the US ending its occupation of Germany (since WWII). President Bush allowed Europe to take the lead in negotiations with Iran concerning its nuclear ambitions. Suddenly, the "cowboy" who ignored his allies was criticized for not taking the lead in the negotiations. But at the same time, the Bush administration made steps toward increased support for Central and Eastern European nations recently emerged from Soviet domination. It appears that this support is now being withdrawn to a large extent.

Many unanticipated changes will take place in the world because of current changes in U.S. foreign policy. Some of them will be good. Some of them will not. But it's important to look beyond the immediate intentions of changes in our foreign policies as far as is possible. The abandonment of Central and Eastern Europe to Putin's regime doesn't seem altogether wise to me.