Missile Defense

The proliferation and improvement of missile technology is one of the more consequential developments in 21st-century warfare. How will the United States deter attack and defend itself and its allies from the ever more capable missile arsenals of potential adversaries? Atlantic Council work focuses on the strategic and tactical implications of missile defense, with particular attention to the impact of new capabilities like hypersonic weapons, space-based assets, and directed energy.

Content

Poland has made modernization of its armed forces a priority

NATOSource

Aug 16, 2013

Concerned About Allies Cutting Military Capabilities, Poland Strengthens its Defense Forces

By Economist

Having weathered the past five years better than most—the economy has grown by a fifth since 2009—and imposed tight spending limits on most departments, the centre-right government of Donald Tusk, re-elected in 2011, has made modernising the armed forces a priority.

Missile Defense NATO

New Atlanticist

Aug 13, 2013

Obama’s Red Lines

By Henry Johnson

President Obama’s tepid response to Bashar al-Assad’s use of chemical weapons illuminates how he might react to a decision by Iran to build nuclear weapons. In both cases, he has drawn red lines that are extremely costly to enforce.

Iran Missile Defense

Issue Brief

Aug 12, 2013

The Israeli experience in missile defense: Lessons for NATO

By Jean-Loup Samaan and Guillaume Lasconjarias

Jean-Loup Samaan and Guillaume Lasconjarias, research fellows at the NATO Defense College in Italy, outline in this issue brief for the Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security what NATO can learn from the Israeli experience in missile defense. Samaan and Lasconjarias identify five domains where Israel’s missile defense experience may offer both helpful lessons and […]

Israel Missile Defense

NATOSource

Jul 29, 2013

Some NATO Allies Concerned about Turkey’s Satellite Launching Center

By Burak Ege Bekdil, Defense News

Turkey has approved construction of its first satellite launching center to cater for the country’s mushrooming satellite programs. But Ankara’s western allies worry that the Turks intend to use their own launching pad to fire the long-range missiles they hope to build in the medium- to long-run.

Missile Defense Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Jul 25, 2013

Can Senators Handle the Truth on Syria?

By James Joyner

Senators John McCain and Carl Levin have demanded answers from General Martin Dempsey on Syria. Can they handle the truth?

Maritime Security Missile Defense

New Atlanticist

Jul 16, 2013

Why Jordan Hesitates to Back Syrian Opposition

By Henry Johnson

As the United States prepares to provide weapons to Syrian rebels, it will rely on Turkey and Jordan to move arms into the country. Jordan will doubtlessly aid the United States, but its willingness to fully support Assad’s ouster remains far from evident. Despite the show of force touted in June’s Eager Lion military exercises, […]

Middle East Missile Defense

Event Recap

Jun 25, 2013

Roundtable on US Missile Defense Strategy with Elaine Bunn

On Tuesday, June 25, the Atlantic Council hosted an off-the-record roundtable discussion on the United States’ missile defense strategy with Elaine Bunn, the recently appointed deputy assistant secretary of defense for nuclear and missile defense policy.

Missile Defense Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Jun 20, 2013

Toward a Global Missile Defense Architecture

By Ian Brzezinski

The increasing prevalence of ballistic missiles has been highlighted by the latest tensions with North Korea, the ongoing confrontation with Iran, and Syria’s savage civil war. Approximately thirty countries are now armed with ballistic missiles. This number will grow, as will the range, accuracy, and lethality of the ballistic missiles available to friend and foe […]

Missile Defense Security & Defense

New Atlanticist

Jun 16, 2013

MAD About You

By Ellen Tauscher and Igor Ivanov

After a series of setbacks and disappointments during President Barack Obama’s first term, U.S.-Russian political dialogue is finally gaining momentum.

Missile Defense Russia

New Atlanticist

Jun 13, 2013

Beijing and Washington Share Indeterminate Future

By Robert Manning

Now what? The ostensible goal of the Obama-Xi “shirtsleeves summit” was to head off the trajectory of a volatile U.S.-Chinese relationship that appeared to be sliding toward confrontation—and define a new cooperative direction, new understandings and a new framework. In this respect, it was a potentially important but modest beginning.

China Missile Defense

Experts