Iraq had an active missile program and chemical and biological weapons, and was close to nuclear capability. Libya has chemical capabilities and is trying to buy long-range missiles. We project that in the next 5 to 10 years these rogue countries will be able to hold all of NATO at risk with their missile forces. In the United States, we have concluded that we cannot wait to begin to deal with this threat until we are in the midst of a crisis in which one of these rogue states attempts to blackmail the United States from carrying out its alliance obligations and protecting its interests. Missile defenses are a logical adjunct to our traditional policy.
Defenses enhance deterrence by reducing the political and military value of rogue missiles.
They can prevent damage if a rogue leader miscalculates. No, just the contrary. The only ABM system in the world is the one around Moscow. We have made very clear to the Russian government that the limited defense contemplated for the United States is not directed at Russian forces. Indeed, it would not be capable of defeating those forces or undermining their strategic deterrent.