Europe and the Anti-missile Defenses

Abstract

Considering that the anti-missile system designed by the Bush administration was unrealistic, president Obama decided to develop the EPAA (European Phased Adaptive Approach), a system more flexible and adaptable to changing threats and technological advances in sensors and interceptors; and also less controversial for seeking the consensus of the European allies in order to integrate it into NATO missile defense, as a key element of collective defense, reinforcing the transatlantic link. Another objective was the promotion of cooperation with Russia in its development and configuration, avoiding suspicion and promoting further progress in the disarmament agreements. In the following pages we analyze what is the meaning of EPAA; the difficulties in achieving these objectives; the different positions of European countries; and the evolution of the negotiations with Russia, including their implications for arms control and the nonproliferation regime.