On Thursday, the government of the Czech Republic resigned following a no-confidence vote in parliament earlier this week. This presents a new twist for Washington's anti-missile defence plans for Eastern Europe.
The Czech Republic is one of the countries that was to host the shield, but now the government – which strongly supported it – has been ousted.
Topolanek's government was strongly criticised for signing the agreement with the U.S. to place radar bases on the country's territory. Recent polls showed two-thirds of the population opposed this decision.
Back in the U.S., officials are putting the Pentagon plans for the anti-missile system under the microscope.