TOPIC: MISSILE DEFENSE
A new analysis by
George N. Lewis and Theodore A. Postol in
the May/June 2008 Bulletin of the Atomic
Scientists reveals that the
configuration of the proposed U.S. missile
defense system in Europe will not adequately
protect the continental United States or
Europe against the postulated threat--an
Iranian ballistic missile equipped with a
nuclear warhead. Specific findings include:
- The system's centerpiece radar,
slated for the Czech Republic, is
substantially underpowered, rendering it
ineffective unless upgraded or replaced.
- To compensate for this shortcoming,
the controversial U.S. radar in Vardo,
Norway will likely be a part of the
system.
- Despite U.S. claims to the contrary,
defense installations in the Czech
Republic and Poland are ideally suited
to counter Russian missiles.
Download:
The European missile defense folly (PDF 2.3
MB)
PARTICIPANTS
Theodore A. Postol A
professor of science, technology, and
national security policy at MIT,
Postol is a leading authority on missile
defense who previously served as scientific
adviser to the Chief of Naval Operations.
RELATED MATERIAL
BY RICHARD L. GARWIN
Although the Bush administration is
campaigning for ballistic missile
defense in Europe, it's unlikely Iran
will possess any time soon a
nuclear-armed missile capability such a
defense would combat.
BY DAVID WRIGHT AND LISBETH GRONLUND
The legacy of the former U.S.
president's speech and the continued
attempts to realize its dream remain
strong today.
BY HUGH GUSTERSON
Washington is either misleading the
public about the purpose of its European
missile defense installations or
uninformed about the program's
capabilities. Whatever the case,
productive dialogue suffers.
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