Joe Biden’s Defense Department Cancels a Long-Scheduled Missile Test Because of Offending the Russians They Need For An Iran Nuclear Deal – Opinion

The Pentagon said Wednesday it had cancelled a scheduled test of Minuteman missile at Vandenberg Air Force Base (California) on Wednesday. The only thing more shameful than kowtowing to Russia was Lloyd Austin’s cult-of-personality operation in the Pentagon declaring him to be some sort of moral avatar for folding like a cheap suit in the face of no pressure from anyone.

Lloyd J. Austin III, Secretary of Defense, demonstrated the best behavior of a nuclear-responsible nation and delayed the long-planned launch of an American Minuteman III Rocket. Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby spoke today in a press conference.

This isn’t the act of a Secretary of Defense responsible, but rather a cowardly act at the right time. con huevosIt was necessary.

It isn’t like someone woke up one morning and thought, “Gee, let me launch an ICBM and really put a wind up the Russkis.” It isn’t like we are in the midst of a Cuban Missile Crisis (despite the profoundly weird comparisons being drawn by some). It isn’t like we are participating in an Able Archer exercise where the Russians could mistake a test for a preemptive strike. This is a test of which the Russians would have had weeks or months’ notice. There is not a single reason this launch should have been canceled other than to send a signal to the Russians that the White House isn’t terribly upset with what they are doing in Ukraine, and we are still buddies.

This action has a single reason. Biden and his team were lagginggards despite all the talk at the State of the Union about Ukraine. Europe was the one that sanctioned Russian banks. Europe was the one that stopped Russian airlines operating. Europe is the leader in arming Ukraine openly. Europe has, in spite of relative wisdom of the decision taken, led the seizing of Russian oligarchs’ personal wealth. Biden is acting as if a hot cup of milk and a rest will fix this mess. Biden and his State Department have been desperately trying to find a new Iran nuclear deal, and Russia is their critical partner.

Only Now: State Department spokesperson promises US will keep working with Russia in key areas (presumably, the Iran nuclear deal or Kerry’s remarks on climate change). Russia declares itself a pariah. Stunning.

— Richard Goldberg (@rich_goldberg) February 25, 2022

At a time that ‘cries out to Heaven’ for resolute action, the Western alliance is saddled with a weak, vacillating little man who lacks the courage to do anything but take the path of least resistance.