Russia has warned Poland and the Czech Republic against hosting elements of a US anti-missile defence shield. For the former Soviet satellites Moscow's sabre rattling underlines the need to forge strong military links with the US.

The missile defence system is designed to protect the eastern US seaboard against a nuclear attack from the Middle East. Poland and the Czech Republic stand to gain little direct security from the shield bases on their territory but they see the US presence as a bulwark against Russian influence and repayment for the US's role in defeating the Soviet Union.