Center for Strategic Communication

U.S. Missile Defense and European Security

by | Jun 25, 2012 | Monitor

U.S. plans for a missile defense shield in Europe – the European Phased Adaptive Approach – have generated heated debate both domestically and internationally.

The political implications, costs, and technical feasibility are areas of concern for the U.S. Congress. Meanwhile, Russia’s objections to the shield, combined with U.S. political dynamics, are holding up an agreement on missile defense cooperation.

Understanding the current context of European missile defense will be key to moving forward on negotiations between the U.S. and Russia.

This Perspective paper takes a look at the complex political and technical issues of U.S. missile defense and European security.

IN BRIEF
  • The European Phased Adaptive Approach is designed to be flexible, adaptable, and cost-effective.
  • While both the U.S. and Russia have an interest in a missile defense cooperation agreement, negotiations have stalled, partly due to the U.S. political environment and partly due to Russia’s insistence that a coopera- tion agreement take the form of a legal document.
  • Making progress on the missile defense issue will be key to future U.S.-Russian nuclear negotiations.

You can read the paper below, or download in here

U.S. Missile Defense and European Security