The symbolic politics of ballistic missile defense: seeking the perfect defense in an imperfect world

Roger Handberg

Defense & Security Analysis, 2015, vol. 31, issue 1, 44-57

Abstract: Ballistic missile defense (BMD) politics present an interesting evolution in how the USA, especially Congress, has come to think about BMD both as operational reality and as a symbolic policy. The argument here is that BMD's operational reality is increasingly overshadowed by its symbolic aspects. Such a status arose from rapidly changing international and domestic politics. The end result is a situation in which BMD policy in a sense floats above the question of its actual combat effectiveness. Its primary mission in part is sustaining US capacity to remain a global power and support its allies.

Date: 2015
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DOI: 10.1080/14751798.2014.995336

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