US missile defence: Strategically sound, politically questionable

In Europe, both governments and the broad spread of public opinion have been largely sceptical about, or opposed to, missile defence. Arguments between the Europeans and the Bush administration over missile defence – combined with tensions over the European Security and Defence Policy, and American participation in Balkan peacekeeping operations – may well lead to strained transatlantic relations in the security field in the coming years. This paper focuses on the strategic and political consequences, in particular for Europe, of American plans to deploy a territorial missile defence system.