Along with Beijing, Moscow fears that the US missile system will upset the global strategic balance as the shield could also be used to protect the United States from Russian or Chinese strategic strikes. But the United States' own allies in Europe have also voiced concerns about the plan, fearing it will harm international stability and antagonise Russia. Wolfowitz faced tough questions on the issue in Germany, while in Britain, the closest US ally, Prime Minister Tony Blair, said he is still considering whether to allow Washington to use two tracking stations in northern England that would be essential to the scheme. On Thursday, residents near the two installations, at Menwith Hill and Fylingdales in North Yorkshire, threatened a campaign of civil disobedience unless the plan is dropped. In Asia, traditional Russian ally India has however appeared supportive of some elements of the project although South Korea remains wary because it fears it could undermine its efforts to ease tensions with the Communist North.
Some Russian politicians claim that Washington is interested only in achieving world domination.
For Americans who lived through the Gulf War and saw the effect of Scud missiles, the threat has a certain reality and urgency that maybe is not shared.