the american media's approach to this missile shield story is really odd. i keep seeing the administration's decision to end the program portrayed as if it is unpopular in eastern europe.
see this story for example. the article quotes alexandr vondra, "former czech deputy prime minister for european affairs and a strong supporter of the missile-defense system." note the word "former." the article doesn't mention the fact that both vondra and marek topolánek (the prime minister to whom vondra served as deputy) lost their positions because the missile defense plan was so unpopular with the czech public.
oddly, the article doesn't bother quoting the current deputy prime minister. and while it does mention jan fischer, the current prime minister of the czech republic, the article doesn't mention his position on missile defense, it just notes that he received the news in a phone call with the president. there is no quote from any politician who applauded the end of the missile defense plan, even though that is the prevailing opinion in the czech republic.
buried in the middle of the article is the sentence: "Czech politicians like Mr. Vondra supported the missile-defense program in the face of opposition from a majority of voters at home." but otherwise the overwhelming tone is that obama is taking an action that is unpopular with the czechs when that is actually far from the truth.
ADDING: matthew yglesias has a chart documenting the persistent and overwhelming opposition to the missile defense system among czech citizens.
