U.S.-Poland Missile Deal Irks Russia

{
  "authors": [
    "Michael McFaul"
  ],
  "type": "legacyinthemedia",
  "centerAffiliationAll": "dc",
  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace"
  ],
  "collections": [],
  "englishNewsletterAll": "ctw",
  "nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
  "primaryCenter": "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
  "programAffiliation": "russia",
  "programs": [
    "Russia and Eurasia"
  ],
  "projects": [],
  "regions": [
    "Caucasus",
    "Russia",
    "Eastern Europe"
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Security",
    "Military",
    "Foreign Policy",
    "Nuclear Policy"
  ]
}

In The Media

U.S.-Poland Missile Deal Irks Russia

In the midst of the Russia-Georgia conflict, Poland has agreed to host part of a U.S. missile defense system. For Russia, this move indicated that the missiles were aimed against Russia rather than Iran as the U.S. has been alleging. This agreement may lead to further deterioration of U.S.-Russia relations, as well as, cause challenges for the Poland-Russia relationship.

By Michael McFaul

Published on Aug 18, 2008

Source: NPR's All Things Considered

In the midst of the Russia-Georgia conflict, Poland has agreed to host part of a U.S. missile defense system. While both Poland and the U.S. deny that this deal is a reaction to Russia’s role in the Russia-Georgia conflict, Russian officials and international experts disagree. In an interview with NPR's All Things Considered, Michael McFaul states that, “It’s a direct response to Russian aggression.”

This agreement may lead to further deterioration of U.S.-Russia relations, as well as, cause challenges for the Poland-Russia relationship.

Click here to listen

About the Author

Michael McFaul

Former Senior Associate

In addition to his role at Carnegie, McFaul is Peter and Helen Bing Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution and associate professor of political science at Stanford University.

Recent Work

Article
Why a Democratic Russia Should Join NATO
- Леонид Гозман, Michael McFaul
Report
Russia at a Crossroads: Upcoming Elections Defining Issue
- Michael McFaul, Sanja Tatic

Security Military Foreign Policy Nuclear Policy Caucasus Russia Eastern Europe

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

More Work from Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Commentary
Emissary
In Its Iran War Debate, Washington Has Lost the Plot in Asia
The United States ignores the region’s lived experience—and the tough political and social trade-offs the war has produced—at its peril.
Evan A. Feigenbaum
Commentary
Carnegie Politika
Blocking of Telegram App Sparks Rare Public Rift Among Russia’s Elites
The prospect of a total block on Russia’s most popular messaging app has sparked disagreement between the regime’s political managers and its security agencies.
Andrey Pertsev
Article
The Changing Military Balance in the Black Sea: A Ukrainian Perspective
Ukraine’s asymmetric approach has rendered Russia’s Black Sea Fleet functionally useless. But a long-term commitment will be needed to maintain this balance of power.
Alina Frolova, Stepan Yakymiak
Commentary
Emissary
The Iran War Is Uncovering the Weakness in U.S.-Gulf Ties
Neither the Abraham Accords nor the presence of large U.S. bases are enough to protect Arab Gulf states.
Marwan Muasher
Commentary
Carnegie Politika
The Afghanistan–Pakistan War Poses Awkward Questions for Russia
Not only does the fighting jeopardize regional security, it undermines Russian attempts to promote alternatives to the Western-dominated world order.
Ruslan Suleymanov

U.S.-Poland Missile Deal Irks Russia

More Work from Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Commentary

Emissary

In Its Iran War Debate, Washington Has Lost the Plot in Asia

The United States ignores the region’s lived experience—and the tough political and social trade-offs the war has produced—at its peril.

Evan A. Feigenbaum

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

Blocking of Telegram App Sparks Rare Public Rift Among Russia’s Elites

The prospect of a total block on Russia’s most popular messaging app has sparked disagreement between the regime’s political managers and its security agencies.

Andrey Pertsev

A member of "Timur's Special Forces Unit" of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine looks on on Snake Island, also known as Zmiinyi Island, located in the Black Sea, on August 14, 2025, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Article

The Changing Military Balance in the Black Sea: A Ukrainian Perspective

Ukraine’s asymmetric approach has rendered Russia’s Black Sea Fleet functionally useless. But a long-term commitment will be needed to maintain this balance of power.

Alina Frolova, Stepan Yakymiak

Commentary

Emissary

The Iran War Is Uncovering the Weakness in U.S.-Gulf Ties

Neither the Abraham Accords nor the presence of large U.S. bases are enough to protect Arab Gulf states.

Marwan Muasher

Commentary

Carnegie Politika

The Afghanistan–Pakistan War Poses Awkward Questions for Russia

Not only does the fighting jeopardize regional security, it undermines Russian attempts to promote alternatives to the Western-dominated world order.

Ruslan Suleymanov