The US will build the first stages of a missile defense system in Alaska over the next couple of years. Ideally the system will evolve into technology that will prevent offensive ICBMs from attacking North America.
Countries that were vying to enter the ICBM game have cause for concern--PRC, North Korea, Iran, Iraq, former Soviet countries and their more affluent friends. They're staking potentially huge investments in an offensive infrastructure in which they can now place little confidence. The problem with ground-launched missiles, as the Russians found, is that low-orbit satellite monitors can watch their every move. And expensive missiles sitting in their silos become a big maintenance liability. You can't just park 'em and forget 'em until you're ready to fire. Nor can you pretend that you're just getting ready to launch a weather satellite. Defensive measures based on technology like the relatively inexpensive Patriot missile are a deterrent to the development of offensive strike ICBMs, even if they have only a limited effectiveness. Nobody will be as anxious to pass the point of no return in firing off missiles if they might get shot down. After a missile is launched, it is impossible to disguise the source or the offensive intent. What good is an interceptor defense against offensive weapons launched by terrorist crazies? Maybe not much. But probably better than nothing. At least with the initial development effort, the technology can be tested and improved. It is worth noting that the technology evolved not at all while naysayers argued against it. --- Mij Ebaboc ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// /// ZION LIST CHARTER: Please read it at /// /// http://www.zionsbest.com/charter.html /// ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: archive@jab.org EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?aaP9AU.bWix1n.YXJjaGl2 Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
