Understanding the Dynamics of a Multi-Polar Strategic Ballistic Missile Defense World
Abstract
The Federation of American Scientists (FAS) proposes to analyze and assess the strategic landscape and dynamics of a multi-polar strategic ballistic missile defense world that appears to be evolving over the next 5-10 years. Since before the end of the Cold War, the United States essentially had the strategic missile defense world to itself, with no other serious entrants. Based on the results of the recent FAS-led research on Chinese strategic missile defense developments, it appears quite possible that before long there will be as many as four countries – the United States, China, Russia, and India – with varying degrees of strategic missile defense deployment, representing a significant change in the strategic nuclear landscape that has existed for a quarter-century or more. This potential shift from a one-country strategic missile defense world to a three-to-four-country world could have significantly different features and dynamics than at present. Offense-defense dynamics, countermeasures, impacts on regional stability, implications for arms control, cross-domain implications, impact on alliance planning, and many other issues are ripe for examination as the United States approaches this new strategic environment. For all these reasons and factors, this proposed study is needed to inform the public as well as decision makers.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jul 19, 2016
- Source ID
- N002441610028
Entities
People
- Charles Ferguson
Organizations
- Defense Threat Reduction Agency
- Federation of American Scientists