Secretary of state Condoleezza Rice, who started out as a Soviet specialist, should explain

to President Bush that the last thing America needs is to needlessly provoke a new Cold War with Russia. That is what Bush has been doing by installing key elements of an unperfected ballistic missile defence system in Poland and the Czech Republic.

Russian officials have reacted with bellicose bluster that is out of proportion to any real-world threat from the 10 interceptor rockets to be installed in Poland and the radar tracking station to be sited on Czech soil. The commander of Russia’s missile forces went so far as to warn last Monday: “If the governments of Poland and the Czech Republic take such a step,” Russia’s “strategic missile forces will be capable of targeting these facilities.” But there is also a domestic political motive for the tough rhetoric. The Kremlin is preparing for parliamentary elections in December of this year and a presidential election in March 2008. And Putin’s inner circle has learned that prideful nationalism goes over well with the voters.

Bush has needlessly alienated partners whose cooperation is crucial for what he calls the long war against radical Islamist terrorism. And all for a missile defence system that doesn’t even work.