2008 Woodie Awards
Missile shield project politically unsound
Brian Moloney '08
Issue date: 4/9/08 Section: Opinion
Russian-American relations have grabbed headlines recently with Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President George W. Bush disagreeing over the deployment of a ballistic missile defense system in Eastern Europe.
Both leaders had hoped to resolve an issue that has divided them during the seven years that they have both held power, but they have failed to do so yet again.
Bush has continually argued that the system is necessary to defend against what he refers to as "rogue states" (notably Iran) that may have acquired or could someday gain the technology to manufacture ballistic missiles capable of delivering a nuclear payload to a target many thousands of miles away.
Putin disagrees on the grounds that the proximity of this proposed system to his homeland threatens Russian national security.
Some in the press have likened the recent meetings to Cold War diplomatic encounters, an analogy that lost some credibility after Bush and Putin were shown to have a largely amiable public relationship. However, the conflict over arms and technology is unfortunately reminiscent of some incidents during the Cold War.
America's nuclear policy over the last decade has included its withdrawal from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty in order to allow it to develop the aforementioned missile shield, as well as the Reliable Replacement Warhead (RRW) program, which aims to develop an updated nuclear warhead to replace older, existing weaponry.
The RRW program will receive $89 million in funds during 2008, according to the National Nuclear Security Administration, while the cost of the missile shield has yet to be determined.
While the capability to neutralize a ballistic missile could be useful, the current global climate and the state of United States economy decrease the feasibility of the proposed missile shield.
The current situation of the United States economy makes the deployment of an expensive missile defense system seem rather foolish. Paying for the system will require developing and manufacturing technology, as well as paying to transport and deploy it, then operate and maintain it.
Both leaders had hoped to resolve an issue that has divided them during the seven years that they have both held power, but they have failed to do so yet again.
Bush has continually argued that the system is necessary to defend against what he refers to as "rogue states" (notably Iran) that may have acquired or could someday gain the technology to manufacture ballistic missiles capable of delivering a nuclear payload to a target many thousands of miles away.
Putin disagrees on the grounds that the proximity of this proposed system to his homeland threatens Russian national security.
Some in the press have likened the recent meetings to Cold War diplomatic encounters, an analogy that lost some credibility after Bush and Putin were shown to have a largely amiable public relationship. However, the conflict over arms and technology is unfortunately reminiscent of some incidents during the Cold War.
America's nuclear policy over the last decade has included its withdrawal from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty in order to allow it to develop the aforementioned missile shield, as well as the Reliable Replacement Warhead (RRW) program, which aims to develop an updated nuclear warhead to replace older, existing weaponry.
The RRW program will receive $89 million in funds during 2008, according to the National Nuclear Security Administration, while the cost of the missile shield has yet to be determined.
While the capability to neutralize a ballistic missile could be useful, the current global climate and the state of United States economy decrease the feasibility of the proposed missile shield.
The current situation of the United States economy makes the deployment of an expensive missile defense system seem rather foolish. Paying for the system will require developing and manufacturing technology, as well as paying to transport and deploy it, then operate and maintain it.
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