Boosting Missile Defense Cooperation in Europe

A U.S. Navy officer looks on, from his station next to the weapons control deck of the USS Monterey in the Black Sea port of Constanta, Romania, June 7, 2011. The USS Monterey, a war ship carrying AEGIS class ballistic missile defense technology arrived in Romania to offer training and familiarize Romanian officers to this technology. [AP File Photo]

About the Author: Frank Rose serves as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Space and Defense Policy in the Bureau of Arms Control, Verification, and Compliance.

The European Phased Adaptive Approach to missile defense (or EPAA) is designed to protect our deployed forces and Allies in Europe, as well as improve protection of the U.S. homeland against potential ICBMs from the Middle East.

Today, there is a growing threat from short-, medium-, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles to our deployed forces, allies, and partners. This threat is likely to increase in the coming years as some states make their ballistic missiles more accurate, reliable, and survivable.

That is why in 2009, President Obama outlined a four-phase approach for European missile defense that would augment the defense of the United States against a future long-term threat and provide more comprehensive and more rapid protection to our deployed forces and European Allies against the current threat. The President made clear his commitment to… more »

(Source: blogs.state.gov)

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