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Missile Defense

Russian military leaders have expressed concern about US plans for a national missile defense system. Will defense technology be limited by possibilities for a strategic imbalance? Is this just SDI all over again?

rshowalter - 08:57am Sep 30, 2001 EST (#9996 of 10023)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

That's fair enough. But the moral standards you are guided by ought to be understood, by friend and foe alike, and by the public.

rshowalter - 09:02am Sep 30, 2001 EST (#9997 of 10023)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

So there's feedback, and enough information so that peaceful relations can be fashioned, and can be stable.

By the way, when I gave you some "general advice" about military function -- I wasn't spoofing -- I meant just what I said, and intended it seriously.

rshowalter - 09:04am Sep 30, 2001 EST (#9998 of 10023)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

There's a certain grim family resemblence between military problems and medical problems - - because the priorities, sometimes at least, are so clear.

The medical people do a lot of thinking about resource allocation and tactics that might be worth a passing look by military folks. (The medicos could do a little cross training, as well, and to some extent they have.)

kangdawei - 09:11am Sep 30, 2001 EST (#9999 of 10023)

I've often thought that one way to improve weapons development would be to encourage the development of a highly competitive system of "testing companies". When you contract out a weapons system A to company A, you also contract out a "probing contract" B to company B. The more weaknesses company B finds in company A's weapons system, the greater the financial reward to Company B.

That way, instead of having all the contractors and generals and congresspeople in one bed, you spark some real competition.

kangdawei - 09:23am Sep 30, 2001 EST (#10000 of 10023)

And post number 10,000 goes to the CATO Institute

"An ABM system would not require fully implementing Ronald Reagan's ambitious Strategic Defense Initiative, since repelling an onslaught by a massive missile fleet, such as that possessed by the Soviet Union, is now an extremely improbable mission. The more likely danger is an accidental launch of a few dozenmissiles or a deliberate attack by a new nuclear power with a limited arsenal. Even a 'thin layer' ABM system could offer crucial protection from such threats. As a collateral benefit, it would reduce the likelihood of nuclear blackmail."

kangdawei - 09:27am Sep 30, 2001 EST (#10001 of 10023)

S. Koreans Protest US Missle Defense

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) - Activists marched near the main U.S. military base in Seoul on Saturday to protest Washington's missile defense plan, which they said threatens stability on the divided Korean peninsula.

About 500 demonstrators who gathered in front of the U.S. 8th Army base also demanded the withdrawal of 37,000 Americans stationed in South Korea. Thousands of police stood guard, but did not intervene.

The protesters carried dozens of anti-U.S. banners and signs, saying that Washington's plans to build a missile defense system is hurting stability on the peninsula.

"Let's repel the missile defense and advance national reunification," the demonstrators chanted. "U.S. troops out of Korea!"

Washington, South Korea's chief ally, plans to deploy a missile defense system capable of protecting the United States and its allies from attacks by so-called "rogue states" such as North Korea and Iraq.

Communist North Korea, along with Russia and China, vehemently opposes the project.

rshowalter - 10:13am Sep 30, 2001 EST (#10002 of 10023)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

I'm cooking breakfast. Back in 45 minutes. Interesting posts.

rshowalter - 11:27am Sep 30, 2001 EST (#10003 of 10023)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

Sorry to be late. I was thinking about things I'm not qualified to even comment on - - because I can't know the facts. And about multiply constrained situations involving tensions and incompatabilities which, if whacked in unexpected ways, can go unstable. We'd like to avoid that.

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