Missile Defense
Interceptor test in the Marshall Islands (2005). MDA photo.
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RECENT ANALYSIS
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Dec 17, 2008
Strengthening U.S. Security Through Non-Proliferation and Arms Control: Recommendations for the Obama Administration
In 2008, the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation sought input from 60 scientists, academics, members of Congress, senior congressional staffers, and representatives from advocacy groups, think tanks, and foundations to assess the priorities for the next Administration on nuclear arms control and non-proliferation. This report summarizes the consultations. -
Dec 15, 2008
Right-Wing Fear Machine
National missile defense continues to be a controversial initiative supported by a dedicated core of enthusiasts. In this new Huffington Post commentary, Lt. General Robert Gard addresses the latest effort by conservatives to manufacture public support for missile defense through fear. -
Dec 1, 2008
Obama and Clinton: More Agreement than Disagreement on Foreign Policy
President-elect Barack Obama announced on December 1 that he will nominate Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) to be Secretary of State. Exaggerated reporting notwithstanding, the fact is that when it comes to foreign policy, Obama and Clinton agree far more than they disagree. In this analysis, executive director John Isaacs compares Obama and Clinton on Iraq, Iran, missile defense, North Korea, and nuclear nonproliferation. - See more articles »
CENTER EXPERT
Lieutenant General Robert G. Gard, Jr. (USA, ret.)
Senior Military Fellow
202-546-0795 ext.110
rgard AT armscontrolcenter DOT org
The American missile defense program is a comprehensive, multi-layered system of systems designed to counter attacks by ballistic missiles. The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) within the Department of Defense has primary responsibility for ballistic missile defense programs. Annual funding has increased from $3 billion during the Clinton administration to over $10 billion today.
It was not until 1983, with President Ronald Reagan's "Star Wars" speech, that expanded research and development on missile defense programs notably accelerated. The Star Wars program, officially known as the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), aimed to establish combined ground- and space-based missile defense systems to protect against strategic nuclear ballistic missiles by forming a "protective bubble." This complex endeavor sparked skepticism about technological feasibility, affordability, and possible abrogation of the ABM Treaty. Star Wars was never fully developed or deployed.
Treaties between the U.S. and Soviet Union involving missile defense include the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) treaty, the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaties (SALT I and II), the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaties (START I and II), and the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. Each of these Cold War pacts aimed to reduce nuclear stockpiles and set guidelines for future development. In 2002, President George W. Bush withdrew the U.S. from the ABM treaty after the required six month notification period.
FY2009 DEFENSE BUDGET ANALYSIS
Sep 25, 2008 Analysis of FY2009 Defense Appropriations in the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act (CR) for FY2009
Sep 24, 2008 Analysis of House-Senate Agreement on the FY2009 Defense Authorization Bill (S.3001)
Feb 4, 2008 FY 2009 Pentagon Spending Request - Ballistic Missile Defense
ARTICLES & FACT SHEETS
Aug 20, 2008 Russia Looms over U.S.-Poland Missile Defense Agreement
Apr 3, 2008 On 25th Anniversary of "Star Wars," Cheney's Missile Defense Claims Don't Add Up
Mar 26, 2008 Star Wars Turns 25 Years Old, but Effective and Capable Missile Defense Still Elusive
Dec 3, 2007 For U.S. Missile Defense, Heavily Scripted Success Does Not Equal Security
Jul 16, 2007 National Missile Defense in Europe: Premature and Unwise
ADDITIONAL READING
- Government Accountability Office, "Ballistic Missile Defense: Actions Needed to Improve," July 31, 2008.
- Congressional Research Service, "Conventional Warheads for Long-Range Ballistic Missiles: Background and Issues for Congress," updated May 16, 2008.
- Congressional Research Service, "Long-Range Ballistic Missile Defense in Europe," updated July 24, 2008.
- Congressional Research Service, "Ballistic Missile Defense: Historical Overview," updated July 9, 2007.
- Congressional Research Service, "Sea-Based Ballistic Missile Defense-Background and Issues for Congress," updated August 11, 2008.