Missile Defense Intercept Success Highlights Slow Progress (From RealClearDefense)

Wednesday’s successful intercept of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) heading towards the U.S. was a major step forward for the National Missile Defense Program, a real technological and operational achievement. But the very success of the latest test highlights two long-standing problems with the U.S. approach to missile defense. The first is the slow pace of progress in the overall program. The second is a reluctance in some parts of the government and military to accept the idea that defenses need to become a core, integrated capability of the U.S. Armed Forces. I have written more about these issues and the potential for the new Ballistic Missile Defense Review for RealClearDefense here.