US Might Deploy Missiles in Europe to Counter Russia

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is weighing a range of aggressive responses to Russia's alleged violation of a Cold War-era nuclear treaty, including deploying land-based missiles in Europe that could pre-emptively destroy the Russian weapons.

This possibility is known as the "counterforce" option. It is among the responses the administration is considering as it reviews its entire policy toward Russia in light of Moscow's military intervention in Ukraine and other acts that the U.S. has deemed provocative or threatening.

The administration says it prefers using diplomacy to bring Russia back into compliance with the 1987 Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces treaty.

But in the meantime it is considering options that include using force to stop an attack before it could be launched. That could mean deploying U.S. ground-launched cruise missiles in Europe.