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Taking "The Shot": Problems With Using Missile Defense to Strike a U.S. Satellite

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

U.S. Defense Spending, 2001-2009

This graph shows the growth in U.S. defense spending from 2001 to 2009.

The FY 2009 Pentagon Spending Request - Ballistic Missile Defense

The FY 2009 Pentagon Spending Request - Ballistic Missile Defense

Spending request for the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and other missile defense programs.

The FY 2009 Pentagon (DOD) Defense Budget Spending Request

The FY 2009 Pentagon (DOD) Defense Budget Spending Request

On February 4, the Bush Administration submitted its request for $515.4 billion for the Department of Defense in Fiscal Year 2009, which begins on October 1, 2008. This is $35.9 billion more than current levels, an inflation-adjusted increase of 5.4 percent. The new request also includes $70 billion in funding for ongoing military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Click here to read Christopher Hellman and Travis Sharp's breakdown of the new Pentagon budget request.

Highlights of Congressional Action on National Security in 2007

Highlights of Congressional Action on National Security in 2007

This compilation briefly summarizes Congressional action on key national security issues in 2007, including funding for Reliable Replacement Warhead, nuclear nonproliferation, missile defense, Iran, the Department of Defense, and ongoing military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

As Substitute for Diplomacy, $20 Billion U.S. Arms Deal Falls Short

As Substitute for Diplomacy, $20 Billion U.S. Arms Deal Falls Short

On January 14, 2008 the Bush administration initiated the formal 30-day notification process for the proposed sale of 900 Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs) to Saudi Arabia. The sale of this JDAM technology, part of a larger $20 billion arms deal first announced in July 2007, is aimed squarely at U.S. efforts to contain Iran. In this new report by Travis Sharp and Katie Mounts, learn how the United States continues to use deadly technologies as the currency of friendship with foreign nations.

Year in Review: Congress and National Security in 2007

Year in Review: Congress and National Security in 2007

Congress's failure to end the disastrous Iraq War in 2007 masked a series of less visible but nonetheless important triumphs on national security issues.

For U.S. Missile Defense, Heavily Scripted Success Does Not Equal Security

For U.S. Missile Defense, Heavily Scripted Success Does Not Equal Security

The recent MDA intercept of a missile lacking even foreseeable countermeasures should be seen for what it is: an agenda-ridden operation to boost support for a program that has done little to improve our security.

Excessive Claims for Missile Defense

Excessive Claims for Missile Defense

In his article "Missile Defense Hits the Mark: Increasing Success Undermines Critics" (Defense News, July 23, 2007), Lt. Gen. Henry Obering, director of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA), carries the traditional and laudable "can-do" attitude of the military too far.

National Missile Defense in Europe: Premature and Unwise

National Missile Defense in Europe: Premature and Unwise

The Bush Administration has announced its intention to build a national missile defense complex in Europe to supplement current deployments of the system's components.

Analysis of Senate Armed Services Committee Action on the FY2008 Defense Authorization Bill (S. 1585)

Analysis of Senate Armed Services Committee Action on the FY2008 Defense Authorization Bill (S. 1585)

The Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) completed its markup of S. 1585, the FY2008 Defense Authorization bill, on May 25, 2007.

Euro-BMD Bad for U.S.

Euro-BMD Bad for U.S.

The Bush administration has announced its intention to build a national missile defense complex in Europe to supplement current deployments of the system's components, including interceptor sites in Alaska and California.

The High Cost of a Low Priority Program: $18 Billion for Missile Defense in  2016

The High Cost of a Low Priority Program: $18 Billion for Missile Defense in 2016

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that spending for the missile defense system will peak at $18 billion in 2016.

Missile Defense Fails to Provide a Reliable Defense Against Short, Medium or Long-Range Missiles

Missile Defense Fails to Provide a Reliable Defense Against Short, Medium or Long-Range Missiles

The recent missile launches by North Korea and Hezbollah's rocket attacks on Israel underline the extreme difficulty in defending against missiles of all ranges and the fact that despite more than 50 years of research, the United States has yet to deploy an effective and reliable missile defense system.

The Illusion of Operational Readiness of National Missile Defense

The Illusion of Operational Readiness of National Missile Defense

The Pentagon's ground-based, mid-course missile defense system (GMD), formerly called by the more descriptive name National Missile Defense, is being developed and deployed to intercept one or a very few warheads launched by inter-continental ballistic missiles (ICBM)

The Pathetic State of National Missile Defense

The Pathetic State of National Missile Defense

The Bush Administration planned to deploy a National Missile Defense in 2004, claiming that it could protect the United States from a small attack from North Korean nuclear-tipped missiles.

Current Status of Missile Defense Program

Current Status of Missile Defense Program

The initial deployment of land-based interceptors designed to smash into enemy warheads headed toward the U.S. is scheduled for calendar 2004.

Missile Defense, Not Terror, Was Bush's 'Most Urgent Threat' Before 9/11

Missile Defense, Not Terror, Was Bush's 'Most Urgent Threat' Before 9/11

President George W. Bush declared the potential threat of ballistic missile attacks the “most urgent threat” facing the United States and his administration acted accordingly.

Missile Obsession Distorted Threat Priorities

Missile Obsession Distorted Threat Priorities

Until September 11, the top national security priority of the Bush administration had been the development and deployment of a national missile defense system.

National Missile Defense: Not Ready for Prime Time

National Missile Defense: Not Ready for Prime Time

It appears prudent to divert funds from the national missile defense program to securing WMD sites and protecting our borders, especially the funding to deploy an uncertain national missile defense capability, before it is proved effective by operational testing, against an unlikely long-range missile attack by a rogue state.

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