Peace:

National Missile Defense

The proposed National Missile Defense (NMD) system has given a new dimension to already bloated military spending. The system has many logistical flaws and the threat of so-called 'rogue' states used to justify the system has been exaggerated. The true reason for NMD is clear: it represents an unprecedented windfall for the military-industrial complex. The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) has studied this issue in depth and offers this brief analysis:

"The United States is currently developing a national missile defense system (NMD) designed to protect US territory from attack by long-range (strategic) ballistic missiles.

Despite strong Congressional pressure to deploy the system, President Clinton decided in September 2000 to defer the deployment decision to the next president.

Unfortunately, George W. Bush has advocated an even larger and more expensive NMD system.

What proponents of the system choose to ignore is the fact that the system under development will not work, since it can be defeated by simple countermeasures.

Furthermore, missile defenses will pose significant problems for future progress in arms control -- especially deep nuclear reductions. The security costs of deployment will far outweigh the security benefits."

- Union of Concerned Scientists [source]

For more information on this and other issues, visit the Union of Concerned Scientists on the Internet.