Yeah, that definitely belonged in the commentary section of the paper. I didn't see any "reasons" other than paranoia is good.

This is how missile defense was explained to me by a professor of political science. The problem with creating this system is that it will not be 100% effective and no one if foolish to expect it will be ever 100%. Analysts aren't even sure it will work at all, but what if it only brought down 50% or 90% of the missiles launched at the US? Just a few nuclear warheads would cause incredible amounts distruction. Which if the anti-missile system is suppose to prevent, but can't 100% of the time, why undertake the biggest expenditure in history for technology that won't "make us sleep better at night?"

We already have a 45 under our pillow at night- and no one else does. We have unrivaled strength, but that does not mean that we're the lone hegamon that can wield its power blindly. The Soviets are gone, but the Russians still sit on a huge inventory of weaponry. China is close behind in capablity. Why, when relations with China and Russia are at an all-time high would we alienate them with this shield which is specifically aimed to protect us against them? This is NOT for protection against North Korea. They're never going to have the sheer number of warheads which could warrent ABM protection on our part. Since there is not other super power, just two 2nd rate regional powers with enough nucs to make use nervous and who aren't our enemies....what really is the point?

Missile defense was a great idea back when we have a bi-polar world in the 1980's. There just isn't anyone to protect us from anymore. Hell, the Russians want to join NATO, an organization created to protect the Western world FROM Russians. Who is the enemy anymore?

Missile defense will do nothing to protect us from terrorism or rogue states. Its side effect is that it will alienate all those not included under the umbrella of missile defense. That, in my opinion, serves no ones interests at all.

Lastly, even if we protect ourselves 100% from missile attacks, history has shown our enemies will find another way to hit us and hit us hard. Missile defense won't prevent planes from hitting buildings or dirty bombs being set off in our cities. They'll just find another way to deliever the package.