U.S. to Shelve Nuclear-Missile Shield in Europe

The White House will shelve Bush administration plans to build a missile-defense system in Poland and the Czech Republic, according to people familiar with the matter, a move likely to cheer Moscow and roil the security debate in Europe.

The U.S. will base its decision on a determination that Iran’s long-range missile program has not progressed as rapidly as previously estimated, reducing the threat to the continental U.S. and major European capitals, according to current and former U.S. officials.

The findings, expected to be completed as early as next week following a 60-day review ordered by President Barack Obama, would be a major reversal from the Bush administration, which pushed aggressively to begin construction of the Eastern European system before leaving office in January.

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Beheaded – Taleban Said To Have Released Video of Polish Engineer Being Killed

A video delivered to media outlets appears to show Pakistani militants beheading a kidnapped Polish engineer, underscoring security fears in the Muslim nation ahead of a debut visit Monday by a newly appointed Obama administration envoy.

Pakistan has witnessed several attacks on foreigners in recent months as its overall security has deteriorated amid a growing Al Qaeda and Taliban-led insurgency. In early February, an American U.N. worker was abducted in the southwestern city of Quetta, purportedly by separatists.

The seven-minute video appears to show the Polish hostage, Piotr Stanczak, sitting on the floor flanked by two masked men. Off camera, a militant briefly engages him in conversation before three others behead him. One of the hooded men then addresses the camera, blaming Pakistan for the killing for not agreeing to their demands to release Taliban prisoners.

If confirmed, Stanczak’s death would appear to be the first killing of a Western hostage in Pakistan since U.S. journalist Daniel Pearl was beheaded in 2002.

The video was given to an Associated Press reporter Sunday in northwestern Pakistan on a flash drive by an intermediary who said he obtained it from the Taliban. The AP has elected not to distribute the images. Other international media also reported receiving or viewing footage of the killing.

Jacek Cichocki, Polish minister for security services, said he saw the full video and in his opinion “that is the Pole and the film is authentic.”

“I can say that watching the film last night, it is a terrible thing,” he told Poland’s TVN24 television, adding final confirmation would have to wait until diplomatic and consular services receive the body.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,489805,00.html

Russia Refuses To Meet With U.S. on Iranian Nuclear Program

Russia Refuses To Meet With U.S. on Iranian Nuclear Program. Not a good sign considering their erecent military deployments.

From The New York Times

Russia said on Tuesday that it would not participate in a meeting with the United States this week to discuss Iran’s nuclear program, the most significant indication yet of how Russia’s war with Georgia has spoiled relations regarding other security issues. Read more

Beyond Diplomacy – Russia Warns of Response To Missile Shield

Russia is lashing out at the U.S. over a deal signed with Poland to place a missile defense facility in the former Soviet satellite state.

Russias Foreign Ministry says the U.S. missile shield plans are clearly aimed at weakening Russia and that Moscows response to any development beyond the current plans will go beyond diplomacy. Read more