United States Missile Defense Policy in the Contemporary Strategic Environment
Abstract
Today, the United States is confronted with a more diverse and less predictable threat than in the past. This includes both terrorists groups and states that operate outside the boundaries of international law and seek to threaten and employ force to achieve their political, territorial, and ideological objectives. Recent intelligence assessments reveal that many of these groups are investing large resources to develop and acquire long ballistic missiles that could be used to deliver nuclear, biological, and/or chemical weapons against the United States, its friends, and allies. Presently, the United States and its allies lack effective defenses against this growing threat. It is against this backdrop that the National Policy on Ballistic Missile Defense takes its shape. This paper will discuss the adequacy of U.S. missile defense policy in the context of the contemporary strategic environment. The analysis will specifically focus on missile defense policy transformation under the Bush Administration, international and domestic political ramifications, and briefly highlight a few of the key technical challenges that affect deployment of the Administration's proposed limited missile defense capability. Finally it will provide an overall assessment regarding progress the U.S. has made in meeting the Nation s stated missile defense policy objectives.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 18, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA431816
Entities
People
- Curtis A. Mathis
Organizations
- United States Army War College