6Dear Members and Friends,
Yesterday President Obama, along with Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Martin Dempsey, held a briefing at the Pentagon to lay out a new military strategy. The plan, entitled “Sustaining U.S. Global Leadership: Priorities for 21st Century Defense”, offers a vision for American military strategy through 2020 and emphasizes the need for a strong missile defense:
“Our defense efforts in the Middle East will be aimed at countering violent extremists and destabilizing threats, as well as upholding our commitment to allies and partner states. Of particular concern are the proliferation of ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction (WMD). U.S. policy will emphasize Gulf security, in collaboration with Gulf Cooperation Council countries when appropriate, to prevent Iran’s development of a nuclear weapon capability and counter its destabilizing policies. The United States will do this while standing up for Israel’s security and a comprehensive Middle East peace.To support these objectives, the United States will continue to place a premium on U.S. and allied military presence in.- and support of – partner nations in and around this region…”
“U.S. forces will continue to defend U.S. territory from direct attack by state and non-state actors. We will also come to the assistance of domestic civil authorities in the event such defense fails or in case of natural disasters, potentially in response to a very significant or even catastrophic event. Homeland defense and support to civil authorities require strong, steady, state force readiness, to include a robust missile defense capability. Threats to the homeland may be highest when U.S. forces are engaged in conflict with an adversary abroad.”
This new defense strategy highlights the importance of maintaining a robust and advanced missile defense and shows that missile defense programs and funding will be an integral part of future military policy.
Click here for a link to the full text of the document.
