why is the us installing missile defense systems in eastern europe?

So the Obama craze will not take over the world...

To defend us here from any incoming missiles in the future, either from Russia, Iran or any other nation who feels the need.

Where would you put a system that is intended to protect Europe from missles launched from the Middle East, SW Asia or SE Asia?

Those countries want them as protection from Russia, in the event it tries go back to it's Soviet-era habits .

Just in case we run out of wars to fight.

It's not going to defend us from missles, thats for sure. It's not really even ment to protect Europe.
What is it for? It prevents Russia from projecting it's power, which makes the US stronger. It'll basicly prevent the Russians from taking back their former satellites, which is in their interests and sphere of influence. So doing this weakens Russia and empowers the US more.

It's being sold as a missle deterent to Iran. And while Iran may have some radical leaders, they won't be dumb enough to send a missle towards Europe.

Most likely to intercept anything coming from Iran. I think it is sad how this has served to spoil Soviet / Western relations after things had been going so well . I can Understand why the russians objected to this very strongly indeed. Its a bit like the cuban misile crisis for them and since miss-trust is the fuel for conflict it is a big shame. But Bush has assured them that they are for defence purposes only (A bit like buying a gun eh!) . Unfortunateley it does look like a further expansion of Western military forces into the rest of the world. (Hell why dont we just take over the whole lot and be done with it) . Instead of building trust with our allies this strategy is only serving to make them more fragile . I Speak as a disheartend brit saddened by extreme military intervention as i look at British and American Forces worldwide. I am also dismayed that neither the British or American people have been consulted on what happens to our taxes and how they are used to defend us from our 'enemies' . The dispicable attack on American soil required some sort of response. unfortunateley invading another country and publicly executing its dictator leader only served to fuel the problem of terrorism, and make the western powers look expansionist.I dont believe that that public execution served to deter future leaders, dictators or otherwise from causing the deaths of innocent people. In WWII we had to defend ourselves from a clear and present danger, and overthrow an evil administration at terrible cost in lives. Sureley we must find another way to win the hearts and minds of peopls trapped in non-democratic regimes to give birth to their own democracies in there own right . Yes defend ourselves with maximum force when we are attacked. But Terrorism is an impossible enemy to fight without loosing what we cherish (our civil liberties and freedom). The only way is to keep talking to the people of the world and encourage them to find thier way to freedom. Using force will not bring about democracy