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Missile Defense

Russian military leaders have expressed concern about US plans for a national missile defense system. Will defense technology be limited by possibilities for a strategic imbalance? Is this just SDI all over again?

almarst-2001 - 11:43pm May 30, 2001 EST (#4376 of 4466)

gisterme 5/30/01 2:22pm

"You must be talking about journalists in Russia, Robert, trying to adjust to their newly won freedom of press."

Indeed, they have ro remember what happend to the Serbian TV trying to broadcast some of the "colateral damage" of 78 days and nights of the "humanitarian" bombing.

The US journalists most likely will just lose their jobs. not a big deal, relatively speaking.

almarst-2001 - 11:47pm May 30, 2001 EST (#4377 of 4466)

gisterme 5/30/01 2:33pm

"If BMD research or even eventual deployment can lead to that disarmament THEN I'll feel safer."

Feel whatever you like, but don't ask other nations to feel the same. They may not share your view. At least after they read the references I posted above.

almarst-2001 - 11:50pm May 30, 2001 EST (#4378 of 4466)

gisterme 5/30/01 3:14pm

"If development of a BMD leads to large scale strategic disarmament by the US and Russia, as I think it will, especially if the disarmament is to the point where their strategic arsenals wind up on par with China's, I can't see what China would have to complain about. China's relative strategic power would be increased with a corresponding reduction of potential threat. "

Facing the 300bn US military and space based wearpons?

rshowalt - 08:57am May 31, 2001 EST (#4379 of 4466)

These discussions are fruitful. If people committed to checkable truth -- not a "culture of lying" -- everything is in place for a much more peaceful, much safer, much more prosperous world.

If "it is all right to lie" about fundamentals and there is no effective way of checking -- neither these discussions, nor any others, can result in these benefits.

rshowalt - 09:03am May 31, 2001 EST (#4380 of 4466)

Lead editorial, NYT today:

A Wary Atlantic Alliance http://www.nytimes.com/2001/05/31/opinion/31THU1.html

" "Secretary of State Colin Powell assured America's European allies this week that the Bush administration was not engaging in a "phony consultation" with them about missile defenses. We hope he means it, because Washington's closest global partners have grave misgivings about the administration's plans. . . . . Secretary Powell found his fellow ministers unpersuaded that their countries faced an imminent missile threat. Europe is more worried that precipitous American action could unravel arms-control treaties and inject dangerous new tensions into relations with Moscow. ...... To risk the unity of America's most important security alliance by rushing ahead with an unproven system would be irresponsible.

" Wisely, the Bush administration has stepped back from early rhetoric that suggested its missile defense plans were set and the world would simply have to adapt to them. But consultation must involve more than showcasing American proposals. It must also include listening to the legitimate concerns of other governments and taking them into account. . . . During the cold war, Washington could simply impose its will on NATO when it came to missiles and nuclear weapons policies. Those days are over. Germany, in particular, has become far more assertive on security issues than it used to be, and Europe as a whole has become a more united force.

" Missile defense will not add to American security if it undermines the cohesion of the Atlantic alliance. (emphasis added)

It has already undermined the cohesion of the alliance to a degree few could have believed, a few short months ago.

rshowalt - 09:06am May 31, 2001 EST (#4381 of 4466)

Both gisterme and almarst have made important comments, that I'll try to respond to -- as quickly as I reasonably can.

There's a great deal of common ground, in addition to points of disagreement. And the disagreements, both on issues of fact and emotion, are becoming clear enough that they may be dealt with.

If we can get beyond a "culture of lying" much hopeful and good is possible.

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