Russian President Dmitry Medvedev announced today that he would deploy a missile defense system in the Baltic Sea to contest a recent pact between the U.S. and NATO member Poland. The timing is seen as a first test for foreign policy novice President-elect Barack Obama.
Lawrence Haas correctly noted in the last issue of inFOCUS that the next President will have to explore new ways to deal with an emboldened Russia. Medvedev already tested the U.S. when he invaded Georgia in August.
Future Vice President Joe Biden recently predicted that if elected, Obama would be tested by the world within the first six months of his administration. Few expected such a challenge would surface the day after the election.