Missile Defense Analysis Archive
Obama vs. McCain: Seven Areas of Agreement, and Six of Disagreement, on Nuclear Weapons
In a campaign that features back and forth on issues large and small, where Barack Obama and John McCain disagree on everything from taxes to offshore drilling to Social Security to Iraq, it is amazing how much agreement there is on nuclear weapons issues. As Executive Director John Isaacs told the Los Angeles Times on July 13, "We'll have major progress on nuclear issues no matter who is elected." In this short analysis, Isaacs lists seven areas of agreement, and six of disagreement, between Obama and McCain on nuclear weapons issues.
Iran Can Be Deterred
In this letter to the editor of the Washington Times, Scoville Fellow Kingston Reif refutes arguments in favor of a U.S. missile defense system in Europe, including those claiming that it would protect Europe and the United States against an Iranian missile attack.
In a Nutshell: McCain vs. Obama on National Security
In this useful analysis, Executive Director John Isaacs compares and contrasts John McCain and Barack Obama's positions on Iraq, Iran, nuclear weapons, missile defense, and much more.
These Generals Are Real Heroes
This spring, the New York Times exposed a six-year-long Bush administration propaganda campaign using retired military officers to disseminate pro-Iraq war messages to the American public. In this op-ed published in the Asheville Citizen-Times on June 27, Outreach Coordinator Ashley Hoffman explains how the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation is fighting back against the administration's spin through its own Military Outreach Program.
Analysis of Senate Armed Services Committee Action on the FY2009 Defense Authorization Bill (S 3001)
The Senate Armed Services Committee released its markup of S. 3001, the Fiscal Year 2009 Defense Authorization bill, on May 1, 2008. S. 3001, as reported to the full Senate by the Armed Services Committee, fully funds the administration's $612.5 billion FY2009 National Defense request. As part of this total, the Committee authorized $70 billion in additional funding for operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Memorandum to McCain and Obama: A New Arms Control and Non-Proliferation Agenda
The past eight years of the Bush administration have been disastrous for arms control and nonproliferation initiatives. However, the next President can make significant progress in repairing the damage and moving these important issues forward. In this memo to John McCain and Barack Obama, Policy Fellow Jeff Lindemyer outlines four important goals for the next President.
Obama vs. McCain: A Side-By-Side Comparison on Arms Control
This resource provides a side-by-side comparison of Barack Obama and John McCain on 15 key arms control issues.
Growing Economic Ties Better Deterrence
In this letter to the editor of Washington Times, Scoville Fellow Kingston Reif points out that the minimal benefits of an Indian missile defense system are heavily outweighed by its costs.
McCain's Big Non-Proliferation Speech: Cheers, Jeers, and Questions
On May 27, Senator John McCain gave a major foreign policy address on nuclear non-proliferation. The Center's Director for Nuclear Non-Proliferation, Leonor Tomero, examines the good, the bad, and the ugly in this new analysis. Tomero cuts through the campaign rhetoric to offer a clear-eyed, expert assessment of McCain's non-proliferation proposals.
Analysis of House Armed Services Committee Action on the FY2009 Defense Authorization Bill (HR 5658)
The House Armed Services Committee completed its markup of the Fiscal Year 2009 Defense Authorization bill (HR 5658) on May 15, 2008. The marked up bill recommends an overall authorization level of $601.4 billion, the amount requested by the administration.
On 25th Anniversary of "Star Wars," Cheney's Missile Defense Claims Don't Add Up
On March 11, 2008, Vice President Dick Cheney reiterated five Bush administration talking points about the need for missile defense. Not surprisingly, the evidence supporting Cheney's assertions is remarkably thin at best, nonexistent at worst.
Star Wars Turns 25 Years Old, but Effective and Capable Missile Defense Still Elusive
In this new analysis, Lt. Gen. Robert Gard (USA, ret.) and John Isaacs explain how 25 years and $120 billion dollars after President Ronald Reagan unveiled "Star Wars," U.S. national missile defense is still not effective or capable.
Why Missile Defense Upsets Russia
Russia may see U.S. missile defense efforts in Europe as the threatening tip of the iceberg. The initiative may be directed at Iran, but that is not the only country it could affect in the long run.
Downing a Sick Satellite, or Upping the Arms Race?
Did the United States use a failed satellite as cover for target practice to develop high-tech space weapons? Maybe Star Wars isn't just for the big screen after all.
U.S. Arms Sales Agreements with the Middle East, 1999-2006
The United States is far and away the leader in arms sales agreements with the Middle East. This analysis shows why.
U.S. Arms Sales Agreements Worldwide, 1999-2006
The United States is far and away the leader in worldwide arms sales agreements. This analysis shows why.
An Early Look Ahead: What to Expect from Clinton, McCain, and Obama on National Security
In this comprehensive analysis, Executive Director John Isaacs compares and contrasts the three remaining presidential candidates' positions on Iraq, Iran, nuclear weapons, missile defense, and much more.
2008-2009 U.S. Defense Spending Highest Since WWII, Tops Vietnam and Korea
This graph compares U.S. defense spending in 2008 and 2009 to previous historical highs during World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the Reagan-era buildup. All figures are in 2008 dollars.
Taking "The Shot": Problems With Using Missile Defense to Strike a U.S. Satellite
Below is an in-depth look at all the problems with the Bush administration's decision to use the Sea-Based Midcourse Missile Defense system (SMD) to strike a U.S. spy satellite that lost power shortly after launch last year. The Navy is calling the operation "The Shot."
U.S. Defense Spending, 2001-2009
This graph shows the growth in U.S. defense spending from 2001 to 2009.
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