Center for Security Studies

No. 86: NATO and Missile Defense

No. 86: NATO and Missile Defense

Opportunities and Open Questions

Author(s): Oliver Thränert
Editor(s): Daniel Trachsler
Series: CSS Analyses in Security Policy
Issue: 86
Publisher(s): Center for Security Studies, ETH Zurich
Publication Year: 2010

In its Strategic Concept adopted at the Lisbon summit, NATO defines the establishment of a missile defense system to defend populations and territories against ballistic missile attack as a core element of its collective defense. The main goal is to secure a damage-limitation option for Europe. In order to prevent the missile defense system from jeopardizing relations with Russia or obstructing further disarmament steps, NATO has invited Moscow to participate. The project offers a great deal of opportunities for the alliance. However, important questions remain to be resolved.

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