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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?

rshowalter - 04:25pm Sep 9, 2001 EST (#8714 of 8726)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

A WEEK'S NYT COVERAGE OF MISSILE DEFENSE

Sharon in Moscow By WILLIAM SAFIRE http://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/06/opinion/06SAFI.html Are the Russians trying to insinuate themselves into Middle East negotiations?

U..S. Restates Its Stand on Missiles in China By DAVID E. SANGER http://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/05/international/asia/05MISS.html The Bush administration issued a new set of statements today about how it views the buildup of Chinese nuclear forces, declaring that it would not "seek to overcome China's opposition" to Mr. Bush's missile defense plan by dropping any objections to the modernization of China's nuclear forces.

His Magnificent Obsession by MAUREEN DOWD http://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/05/opinion/05DOWD.html While we may not understand W.'s urgent, self-destructive craving for his ineffectual missile shield, we must stand in awe before the purity and grandeur of his obsession. He would rather risk the world being destroyed than slow his race to build something to protect it.

Bush Aides Urge Congress to Back White House Budget by DAVID STOUT http://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/05/politics/05CND-BUDGET.html While they did not use the words "guns and butter," two of President Bush's most trusted advisers told lawmakers today that there is room in the federal budget for both, and a need for them too.

U.S. Germ Warfare Research Pushes Treaty Limits by THE NEW YORK TIMES http://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/04/international/04GERM.html The 1972 treaty forbids nations from developing or acquiring weapons that spread disease, but it allows work on vaccines and other protective measures. Government officials said secret research, which mimicked the major steps a state or terrorist would take to create a biological arsenal, was aimed at better understanding the threat.

Putin, Sizing Up Bush, Says the Retinue 'Makes the King' by PATRICK E. TYLER http://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/03/international/europe/03RUSS.html The Russian president said he believes aides to George Bush are still struggling over priorities.

U.S. to Tell China It Will Not Object to Missile Buildup by DAVID E. SANGER http://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/02/international/02CHIN.html The significant reversal of policy is part of an effort to overcome Chinese objections to the Bush administration's missile defene, the administation intends to tell leaders in Beijing that it has no objections to the country's plans to build up its small fleet of nuclear missiles, according to senior administration officials.

U.S. Imposes Sanctions on Chinese Arms Maker by JANE PERLEZ http://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/02/international/asia/02DIPL.html Washington imposed sanctions on a big Chinese arms maker after finding that China is still exporting missile technology to Pakistan.

'Waging Modern War' By WESLEY K. CLARK http://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/02/books/chapters/02-1stclark.html "The difficulties and complexities of modern war can be measured in part by the difficulties faced by the American military in Kosovo."

'Waging Modern War': A Defeated Victor Reflects on Kosovo By ROGER COHEN http://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/02/books/review/02COHENTW.html Gen. Wesley K. Clark's book amounts to a plea for the Pentagon to ponder the meaning of "modern war." General Clark's bizarre defeat-in-victory feeling should give urgency to tackling these issues. For no missile defense shield will conjure them away.

Dogfight for Dollars on Capitol Hill By JAMES DAO http://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/02/business/02ARMS.html The season for military lobbying is in full bloom.

rshowalter - 04:27pm Sep 9, 2001 EST (#8715 of 8726)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

previous discussion:
wrcooper 9/9/01 4:13pm

rshowalter - 04:34pm Sep 9, 2001 EST (#8716 of 8726)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

Rumsfeld Defends Missile Defense By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-Missile-Defense.html

includes this:

" Last week, the Democratic-run Senate Armed Services Committee voted along party lines to reduce by $1.3 billion Bush's request to increase missile defense funds by $3 billion, to $8.3 billion.

" The legislation also would limit the president's ability to conduct missile defense activities that would violate the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty with Russia.

" ``I certainly would recommend a veto to the president,'' Rumsfeld said on ``Fox News Sunday.''

"The restrictions would require a special vote by Congress before any money could be spent on an activity that the president tells Congress would violate the ABM treaty, even if the United States is no longer a party to that treaty.

. . . . . . . .

" ``I have found over time that the American people care about their national security, they understand its importance, and that the Congress tends to be supportive,'' he said.

Yes, Secretary Rumsfeld, but in this case, the interests of national security depend on right answers and there is a very strong presumption, by now, that what you are proposing is irresponsible to the point of treason.

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