The American plan to install the forward edge of its antimissile shield in Poland and the Czech Republic has raised memories of the great cold war struggle over America’s decision to station medium-range nuclear missiles in Europe. Of course, back then the resistance was largely in the streets. This time most of the questioning is coming from within the governments of Germany and France.

The proposed missile defence is not a good idea. The technology is uncertain; the threat from Iran and North Korea might yet be averted diplomatically. And repeatedly provoking Russia will only make Russia more of a problem. The shield, moreover, is really intended as a defence of the US (and Europe) by the US, and so only deepens the perception of American arrogance. As ever, Europe has confused the situation further by its inability to agree on any position or speak with a single or even a few voices. If the EU really wants to have a say on this issue, it would do best to first sort out what it would say. It should start by insisting that Washington discuss what threats are out there. Europe needs to know that it is not being used as a pawn in some larger chess game between Washington and Iran. Europe should remind Washington of the dangers of riling up the Russians. The best defence is still a common defence.