U.S.: Expanding Influence in Ukraine, Georgia

The United States is contemplating adding Ukraine to its ballistic missile defense (BMD) plans, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense Alexander Vershbow said Oct. 9. But STRATFOR sources in Moscow said including Ukraine in its BMD plans is not the only move the United States is considering in the country. Vershbow's statement surprised the Russians, and the United States will be working quickly to assert its influence in the former Soviet republics.