美国放弃欧洲反导弹计划

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This is the sort of threat the United States fears--a medium-range Iranian missile being tested earlier this year. Iran claims its range extends as far as Israel. And this is a test of the US missile defense system designed to counter it--Pentagon pictures of a trial run over the Pacific. But now President Obama has confirmed George W. Bush's plan to put the missile shield in Central Europe has been mothballed, to be replaced, he says, by something cheaper and more flexible.

"Our new missile-defense architecture in Europe will provide stronger, smarter and swifter defenses of  American forces and America's allies. It is more comprehensive than the previous program. It deploys capabilities that are proven and cost-effective, and it sustains and builds upon our commitment to protect the US homeland against long-range ballistic missile threats."

It was the plan to put the US defense shield in Central Europe that made it controversial. A radar base in the Czech Republic and a site for interceptor missiles in Poland--a system still aimed at missiles from Iran, according to Washington. But Russia reacted angrily, claiming it was the real target, and threatened to install missiles in Kaliningrad pointed at Europe.

Barack Obama says he is not shelving missile defense, just upgrading it because of new technology and intelligence. But even if his officials deny it, this is also about trying to appease the Russians. There's no point making an enemy out of Moscow when the real worry is Iran.

Resetting US relations with Russia has already begun. President Obama's visit this summer led to new arms control talks and more Russian help over Afghanistan. But the US also wants more Russian pressure on Iran, so will Moscow deliver? So far, Kremlin officials have applauded the missile defense move, but they sound guarded about giving anything in return. Tough new sanctions against Iran, they say, would be counterproductive. For President Obama, it's part of a bigger diplomatic gamble to reach out where possible to reduce tensions, though how far he'll succeed is still uncertain. 

Glossary [only for reference]

 sort of: in some way or to some degree

counter [transitive]: to do something in order to prevent something bad from happening or to reduce its bad effects

Pentagon: the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, located in Arlington, Virginia.

trial run [countable]: an occasion when you test a new method or system to see if it works well

mothball [transitive]: to stop using a factory, equipment etc or to not continue with a plan, temporarily but possibly for a long time

proven: tested and shown to be true or good, or shown to exist

build upon [phrasal verb]: to use a success or achievement as a base from which to achieve more success

interceptor missile: a missile designed to counter ballistic missiles (a missile for missile defense).

shelve [transitive]: to decide not to continue with a plan, idea etc, although you might continue with it at a later time
appease [transitive]: to make someone less angry or stop them from attacking you by giving them what they want

deliver [intransitive and transitive]: to do or provide the things you are expected to, because you are responsible for them or they are part of your job

applaud [transitive]: to express strong approval of an idea, plan etc

guarded: not giving very much information or showing your feelings about something

counterproductive: achieving the opposite result to the one that you want:

gamble [singular]: an action or plan that involves a risk but that you hope will succeed