The Honorable Alexander Vershbow, Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, and Lieutenant General Patrick O’Reilly, Director of the Missile Defense Agency, joined the Atlantic Council for an exclusive teleconference briefing on the Obama administration’s decision to pursue alternative technologies and architectures for missile defense in Europe.
In particular, the call addressed the administration’s consultations with NATO Allies.
Ambassador Vershbow returned Friday from Europe where he participated in interagency briefings led by Under Secretaries Tauscher and Flournoy in Prague, Warsaw and Brussels. Ambassador Vershbow briefed teleconference participants on the outcome of this trip and the next steps for missile defense in Europe and answered participants’ questions. His comments preceded an all-day conference on the Next Steps for Missile Defense in Europe that will take place at the Council on Wednesday, October 7.
Frederick Kempe, President and CEO of the Atlantic Council, moderated the event. Ambassador Vershbow is Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs. He has also served as the U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, the Russian Federation and NATO.