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March 18, 2013

Obama Admin Drops Europe Missile Plan, Reorients to North Korea 
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The Obama administration has altered the U.S. missile defense program to
focus more on North Korea. On Friday, the Pentagon announced it would
abandon plans to complete a missile shield in Europe and instead install
North Korea-aimed interceptors. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel unveiled
the plans in Washington.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel: "Today I'm announcing a series of steps
the United States will take to stay ahead of the challenge posed by Iran
and North Korea's development of longer-range ballistic missile
capabilities. The United States has missile defense systems in place to
protect us from limited ICBM attacks, but North Korea in particular has
recently made advances in its capabilities and has engaged in a series
of irresponsible and reckless provocations."

The move reverses a decision to stop the expansion of a missile field at
Alaska's Fort Greely, adding 14 new interceptors. It will also see the
deployment of a second missile defense radar in Japan. The plans for a
U.S. missile system in Europe have long stoked tensions with Russia.
Despite dropping plans for staging missile interceptors in eastern
Europe, the United States still plans to complete a land-based missile
shield program in Central Europe.

 

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