To the editor:

Contrary to the claims made in a recent letter (“Betraying allies,” Sept. 22), President Obama’s change in missile defense strategy enhances the security of Israel and Europe.

Changing from fixed sites in Poland and the Czech Republic to mobile and sea-based interceptors closer to Iran not only provides protection to Europe, but also brings Israel within the coverage area of U.S. missile defense systems. That wasn’t the case for the fixed sites favored by the previous administration.

Not to mention that, unlike the canceled system, these mobile interceptors actually work, will be deployed much sooner, and are designed to counter missiles that Iran is actually developing. Additionally, we shouldn’t overlook the fact that this change opens the door to cooperation with Russia on stopping Iran’s nuclear program.

President Obama is strengthening our alliances by using a combination of diplomacy and smart military power, as evidenced by this change in strategy that protects our allies and gives us a better chance to counter the threat posed by Iran.