The Missile Defense System is in development by the U.S. Military as a means to thwart a small-scale ballistic missile attack.
In March 2009, President Barack Obama initiated a letter to Dmitry Medvedev stating his concerns surrounding the missile defense system. In the letter he indicated that the need for the missile defense system was directly related to Iran's nuclear capability, and that any defense system put in place would be aimed at Iran, not Russia.NY Daily News: President Obama letter ... offered deal on Iran (March 2, 2009)
U.S. and Czech Republic Deal
December 17, 2008: Russia notably hardens its position in during talks held in Moscow. Under-Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security John Rood indicated that he feels the Russian government is preparing to test the Obama administration's stance on the missile defense system.
On December 5, 2008, the United States successfully conducted a missile shield shoot-down. The defense system shot down a long-range ballistic missile launched from Kodiak, Alaska. The defense missile sent to shoot the ballistic warhead down was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.CNN.com: Missile-shield shootdown test is success, Pentagon says (December 5, 2005)
On July 8, 2008, the U.S. and the Czech Republic signed an agreement on an anti-missile radar base in the former Soviet territory. MSNBC: U.S., Czech Republic Sign Missile Agreement (July 8, 2008) Under terms of the proposed pact, the U.S. will locate a tracking radar in the Czech Republic, with interceptor missiles to be located in Poland.CBS News: U.S., Czech Republic Sign Defense Pact (July 8, 2008) Russia strongly opposed the accord. The Russian Foreign Ministry warned if the treaty is ratified it would respond "with military-technical methods."CNN: Russia: Missile Defense Needs Military Reaction (July 8, 2008)
On August 14, a preliminary U.S.-Poland accord was signed, specifying that Poland would base ten interceptor missiles on its soil.Bloomberg.com: U.S., Poland Reach Agreement on Missile Defense (August 14, 2008)
Missile Defense System Humor and Satire
- The Onion: Photo Poll: Bush And The ABM Treaty
References
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Russia is a staunch opponent of U.S. plans to locate missile defense shield in the Czech RepublicCNN: Russia: Missile Defense Needs Military Reaction (July 8, 2008)
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May 23, 2008
China and Russia joined together in condemning a global missile defense systemCNN: Russia, China Unite Against U.S. Defense Plan (May 23, 2008)
