Word: shielding
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Dates: during 2000-2009
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...While its leaders offer a relatively imperturbable response to the U.S. withdrawal, there are plenty of reasons for Russia to vigorously oppose the decision: Technological and economic shortfalls mean the Russians cannot build their own missile defense shield, leaving the country without recourse once the U.S. withdrawal is complete. Both the U.S. and Russia currently have about 6,000 long-range ballistic missiles fitted with nuclear warheads - and the Russian stockpile would be virtually meaningless once a shield was in place. This is assuming the shield works, of course, and that?s far from a foregone conclusion; the project...
...There?s opposition to the U.S. decision beyond Russia. Some of it is primarily philosophical: The French were caught off guard and left displeased by the U.S. decision, and the Germans also expressed some concern. Other fears were more concrete: Chinese leaders worry a missile defense shield will essentially negate their entire (minimal) nuclear arsenal - sparking fears of a new arms race in Asia. Many congressional Democrats echo those concerns. "Unilateral withdrawal will likely lead to an action-reaction cycle," Sen. Carl Levin told the Associated Press. "?And that kind of arms race would not make us more secure...
...Bush?s decision garnered support abroad as well: In England, Conservatives rallied round the U.S., and urged Prime Minister Tony Blair to involve the UK in the development of the missile defense shield...
...Recent polls show the majority of Americans support a missile defense shield, and the administration appears totally committed to its completion. That does not mean there are not opposing views: There is some feeling that pursuing a missile defense shield at this particular moment is not the best use of resources, national attention - or increasingly precious budget dollars. Democrats who?ve been lobbying (largely unsuccessfully) for increased spending on homeland security measures, worry that deferring so much of the administration?s energy to quitting the ABM treaty and the grueling implementation of a costly missile defense shield may leave other...
...then there?s the issue of usability. Considering that we seem to be dealing with terrorists who are intent on using non-traditional weapons - i.e. biological and chemical weapons, or using our own airplanes as missiles - is the missile shield what we really need right now? Some Democrats, like Florida Representative Robert Wexler, argue that a missile shield would do very little to protect the country from an intangible and amorphous threat. "Our military forces have been designed primarily to fight a conventional war with a conventional enemy, and we've learned the hard way that as much destruction...