When I first read this headline, “‘Star Wars’ looks good to Europe now,” I thought it might be referring to a growing acceptance of Jar Jar Binks in France or something. It’s more serious and more promising:

U.S. plans to extend its ‘’star wars’’ missile-defense program to Europe, which once dismissed the technology as unproven and unneeded, are gaining acceptance among governments here.
Despite Russia’s mounting opposition, the Czech Republic, Poland, and — as of Friday — Britain have all expressed serious interest in hosting parts of the shield. Other countries traditionally cool to the idea have been notably quiet. The trigger: concern about a nuclear Iran.
’’This is all a result of Iran,’’ says Tim Williams, a European security analyst. ‘’Governments see that Iranian missiles can hit Europe, and suddenly they are very worried about the threat from ballistic missiles.’’

It is a telling sign, by the way, that Russia is continuing its opposition to ballistic missile defense being set up in its former satellites. If BMD will never work, as some Americans critic claim, why are the Russians upset? Notably, the previously obstructionist French are not expressing support for the Russian view.