From NATO:   [W]e must develop an effective missile defence. In the coming years, we will probably face many more countries – and possibly even some non-state actors — armed with long-range missiles and nuclear capabilities. Therefore, I believe that NATO’s deterrent posture should include missile defence.

Deterrence works against rational actors, but not all actors that we will have to deal with in the future will be rational. 

That’s why deterrence and defence need to go together.  And why we have the obligation to look into missile defence options.

Excerpt from Speech by NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen at Strategic Concept Conference in Warsaw.  (photo: NATO)

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