DISADVANTAGE/PLAN CAUSES MISSILE DEFENSE

LINK: FEAR OF MISSILES INCREASES SUPPORT FOR NMD

THE THREAT OF A NEW LONG-RANGE BALLISTIC MISSILE THREAT TO THE UNITED STATES HAS BEEN HYPED TO PROMOTE IMMEDIATE DEPLOYMENT OF A MISSILE DEFENSE.

The U.S. has been vulnerable to missile attacks for 40 years from the former Soviet Union, and for a shorter period of time from China. It is not certain that the "rogue states" will be able to develop and deploy such systems that could cause serious damage in the United States. If these countries actually can develop and deploy these missiles, they are likely to have the technological capacity to develop countermeasures and decoys that would frustrate any missile defense we would deploy. If other countries wish to threaten U.S. interests, or influence decision-making in this country, they have that capacity right now. If a rogue states wishes to cause death and destruction in this country, it can deliver weapons of mass destruction with bombs or chemical or biological agents in trucks or ships in harbors. (see Chapter 6 -The Threat)

MASS MEDIA WILL CREATE FEAR OF MISSILE STRIKES IN THE GENERAL PUBLIC

Ben Sheppard, Jane's Sentinel editor, The study of ballistic

missile proliferation formed part of his MSc in Strategic Studies. Jane's Intelligence Review October 1, 1999 HEADLINE: Ballistic missile proliferation: a flight of fantasy or fear? // ln-10/99-acs

Segments of the media, through no fault of their own, may have difficulty in grasping the full picture of the threat through lack of awareness. Some may unfortunately be tempted instead to focus more on the apocalyptic side of the threat, while others may turn to sensationalist or inaccurate reporting. This could cause unnecessary levels of fear and anxiety. Given their dependence on the media, the 'uninformed' segment of the public is highly susceptible to sensationalist reporting.