Russia Threatens New Cold War

Livid over U.S. plans for a missile defense system in its backyard, Russia is mounting a cold-war-style response. The Kremlin admonished that the military installations planned for Poland and the Czech Republic would threaten "the world's strategic stability," and promised a suitable counter-measure, reports the Guardian. Responses are likely to include upgrading its nuclear missiles, defense experts  said.

The U.S. says the shield is designed to protect against missiles from Iran and North Korea, but Moscow dismissed this claim, as did some NATO allies, nervous about a new arms race "on European soil." Russian officials complained about not being warned in advance, prompting observations that detente has been a disappointment. (More Moscow stories.)