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Missile Defense Analysis Archive

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Nov 18, 2008

Obering’s Missile Defense Exaggerations

On November 12, Lt. General Henry Obering, head of the Missile Defense Agency, gave a press briefing where he wildly exaggerated the capabilities of U.S. missile defense systems. In this short analysis, executive director John Isaacs corrects the record.

Nov 10, 2008

European Missile Defense is a Loser

The Bush administration has tried for years to build support for a long-range missile defense system in Europe. White House officials claim that the system will protect America’s allies from an Iranian missile attack. Unfortunately, the proposed system is plagued with budgetary, technical, and political problems, and actually poses serious risks to American security.

Oct 20, 2008

Time To Rethink Missile Defense

Despite the Bush administration's investment of an estimated $60 billion since 2001, U.S. national missile defense continues to be an unnecessary and counterproductive enterprise. In this commentary published in Defense News on October 20, Lt. Gen. Robert Gard and Kingston Reif outline three essential changes that could set missile defense back on a productive course.

Oct 17, 2008

Obama vs. McCain: A Side-By-Side Comparison on Arms Control

This updated resource provides a side-by-side comparison of Barack Obama and John McCain on 15 key arms control issues.

Sep 25, 2008

Analysis of FY2009 Defense Appropriations in the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act (CR) for FY2009

With members of Congress eager to leave town for the campaign trail, and Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 starting on October 1, Congress slapped together a consolidated appropriations package that includes several appropriations bills and a continuing resolution (known as a 'CR') all rolled into one. The package provides $487.7 billion in total defense funding, $4 billion less than the administration's request but 6.2 percent above the FY2008 funding level.

Sep 24, 2008

Analysis of House-Senate Agreement on the FY2009 Defense Authorization Bill (S.3001)

Congress decided to skip the normal conference procedure for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2009 Defense Authorization bill (S.3001). Working together, the House and Senate produced a joint bill that now must gain final approval from the House and Senate before it can be sent to President Bush for his signature. The bill fully authorizes the administration’s $542.5 billion National Defense (function 050) request. The bill also authorizes $68.5 billion in "bridge" funding for ongoing military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, for a “base” budget plus “bridge” budget grand total of $611.1 billion.

Sep 23, 2008

Not Another (Cold) War: The Importance of Maintaining Positive Engagement with Russia

A list of quotes from prominent members of Congress and editorial and opinion pieces from newspapers across the country stressing the importance of maintaining positive relations with Russia.

Sep 8, 2008

United States and Russia: Georgia on My Mind

The first rule of physicians is “Do No Harm.” The first rule of a nation’s reprisals should be “Do No Harm to Yourself.” Yet in the wake of the conflict between Russia and Georgia, both the United States and Russia are considering reckless steps aimed at the other country that could be startlingly self-destructive.

Aug 20, 2008

Russia Looms over U.S.-Poland Missile Defense Agreement

After more than 18 months of hesitation, the United States and Poland on August 20 suddenly signed an agreement to place American missile defense interceptors on Polish territory. Poland's acquiescence is widely believed to be a result of Russia's recent aggressive actions in Georgia.

Jul 30, 2008

Missile Defense in Europe Falls to Next Administration

As the Bush administration's time in office approaches its end, it is pushing hard to secure Czech and Polish approval for the third site. However, approval is not likely to be forthcoming and tests of the system will take many years. Consequently, it will fall to the next president and the next Congress to determine the fate of the system.

Jul 14, 2008

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.

Jul 10, 2008

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.

Jul 1, 2008

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.

Jun 30, 2008

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.

Jun 12, 2008

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.

Jun 9, 2008

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.

Jun 5, 2008

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.

Jun 2, 2008

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.

May 20, 2008

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.

Apr 3, 2008

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.

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