ANOTHER ALLY WEIGHS IN - AT 7:57 A.M. ET:  It's perfectly evident from news reports that some of America's best allies are becoming disillusioned with the under-construction foreign policy of this administration.  The disillusionment in Britain has been widely reported.  Poland has made clear its dismay over Obama's apparent offer to suspend our missile-defense program in Eastern Europe if Moscow would just smile a little wider and give us some help with Iran.

Now the Czech Republic, another stalwart pro-American nation, is joining the group of allies who've been made to feel like unwanted cousins by the "smart" diplomacy of Obama and Clinton. From the Washington Times:

Czech President Vaclav Klaus said Monday that he is seeking a sign from President Obama as to whether the U.S. will uphold its agreement to deploy missile defenses in the Czech Republic and Poland.

Mr. Klaus, an advocate for the deployment, told The Washington Times that he is eager to learn whether Mr. Obama will be as committed to the U.S. defense system as was President George W. Bush.

Mr. Obama is due to visit Prague after a summit of major industrial nations in London early next month.

"We're looking forward to having him in Prague," Mr. Klaus said. "I hope that will be a good opportunity to understand better his views."

In New York for an environmental conference, Mr. Klaus said the Obama administration's position on missile defense is "unknown."

COMMENT:  That is a damning statement.  Countries like Poland and the Czech Republic took the risk of antagonizing Russia by signing on to missile defense.  Now they're confronted with a president who may pull the rug out from under them.

Since the administration has just appointed a head of the National Intelligence Council, Charles Freeman, who is a fan of both the Chinese and Saudi governments, we seem to see a pattern emerging.  Democracies?  Who needs them?   

This is smart diplomacy?

March 10, 2009