PYONGYANG MAKES THE CASE FOR U.S. BMD
North Korea's recent nuclear and ballistic missile tests underscore the need for reinvigorated investments in missile defense on the part of the United States, a leading statesman has written. "Tough words, without tough action, means that [North Korean leader] Kim Jong-il can tell the world 'tough luck' - which is precisely what he has done in recent weeks," former Clinton administration Defense Secretary William Cohen explains in the May 28th Washington Times. In this context, "[r]educing the funding commitment to our missile-defense system by $1.4 billion, as the Obama administration has done, sends the signal that we do not take the threats of rogue regimes seriously, and are willing to take the risk that current technologies are sufficient to prevent devastating accidents or miscalculations." "Given the disturbing geopolitical events that are now unfolding," Cohen counsels, "it is imperative that we err on the side of safety."
CURTAINS FOR KEI?
The Obama administration is moving to implement its planned $1.4 billion cut in funding for missile defense programs, focusing specifically on a number of more experimental initiatives. The target list includes projects such as the Kinetic Energy Interceptor (KEI), which is intended to target and neutralize enemy missiles while still in their initial, or boost, phase. But interested industry parties are not giving up without a fight. Defense News reports in its June 8th edition that hopes for salvaging the program now hinge upon the Pentagon's Quadrennial Defense Review, or QDR. That review of budgetary and policy priorities for the U.S. military, KEI proponents hope, could provide the basis for preserving the program if it highlights the need for greater investments in boost-phase defense.
As a practical matter, however, keeping KEI alive is likely to be a long shot. Defense Secretary Robert Gates recently told the House Armed Services Committee that he intends to "terminate the Kinetic Energy interceptor," citing mounting programmatic costs, a lengthy development schedule and limited effectiveness against such countries as Iran, Russia and China.
THE GROWING BALLISTIC MISSILE THREAT
Even as the Obama administration draws down its commitment to missile defense, the strategic arsenals of rogue states and strategic competitors continue to grow rapidly, a new study by the National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC) has warned. The study, entitled Ballistic and Cruise Missile Threat, reports that since 2006 North Korea has deployed two new short-range missiles and nearly 50 intermediate range ballistic missiles, and that Iran is moving ahead with its development of long-range missile capabilities, as well as a space program that "can serve as a testbed for long-range ballistic missile technologies." Other countries are also expanding their strategic arsenals, the study, covered extensively in the June 4th Washington Times, notes. The People's Republic of China has "the most active and diverse ballistic missile development program in the world," boasting no fewer than eighteen different types of missiles, and an arsenal of ICBMs that will number "well over 100 in the next 15 years." The study also notes that Russia is rapidly expanding its strategic forces, with the number of SS-18 ICBMs swelling from 79 to 104 over the past three years, and with heavy investments being made in technologies that would "allow Russian strategic missiles to penetrate missile defense systems."
A NEW PUSH TO BAN SPACE WEAPONS
After nearly a decade of inaction the United Nations is making its first serious moves to restrict the deployment of weapons in space. The Washington Post (June 2) reports that the UN Conference on Disarmament has approved the creation of a working group designed to "discuss substantively, without limitation, all issues related to the prevention of an arms race in space." The move, which mirrors new activism by the Conference on the creation of a fissionable material ban, comes on the heels of recent calls by Russia and China for a new comprehensive treaty that would ban the deployment of military technologies - including, potentially, missile defenses - in space.
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