Why a Ballistic Missile Defense Program is the Wrong Path to US National Security

摘要

By September 2004, the US government had spent approximately $80-90 billion to put five interceptor missile sites in Fort Greely, Alaska, as defense against a ballistic nuclear strike from North Korea (Rothstein). In a ballistic missile defense program projected to cost about $ 100 billion over approximately the next ten years, the US government has created something that is costing too much based on the perceived benefits. Many issues with this defense system point to making it illegitimate. First, the system is not technically feasible for many reasons. Second, the system is costing a large sum of money, when the real danger to the US is not from ICBMs. In addition, the political fallout of the deployment of such a system could be massive, creating more problems in the international community, making the security of the US lower. Finally, this is simply a very expensive program that has a low chance of success, even if it is even needed. This money could very well be put into other programs that have more concrete benefits.