National Missile Defense

<p>International security has come to a crossroad. No longer is the world made up of a bipolar system divided between the United States and the Soviet Union. Instead the international security system consists of a multi-polar environment with only one superpower--the United States. With this change to the international system a time has come for the United States to examine its role and policies with relation to international security. In addition to changes in the international environment major technological changes have altered the capabilities and roles of defense systems. It is possible that we now have the capability in a national missile defense program to field a defensive system capable of protecting nations from weapons of mass destruction. This paper examines the geo-political impacts of fielding the national missile defense system to include the impacts on U.S. relations with other nations and the impact on arms control treaties. In addition it examines the relationship between missile defense deterrence and diplomacy and recommends a map for future U.S. security policy.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p>