ABSTRACT

Global protection against limited strikes (GPALS) was introduced to be compatible with the changing face of the international system, and to be consistent with US foreign and defense policy requirements in the new environment. The capability to defend against ballistic missiles will be a critically-important addition to US defense capabilities in the 1990s. The Soviet Union appears to be well aware of the emerging threat posed by Third Party missiles. The Soviet position concerning the Third Party threat and missile defense is important because unless the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty is modified or replaced, it will prohibit much of GPALS. The traditional critics of missile defense have parried President Bush's introduction of GPALS by proposing alternative responses to the limited missile threat. In addition, there are numerous important lessons from the Gulf War with direct implications for the consideration of GPALS. These lessons illustrate the value of GPALS in the emerging strategic environment and discredit the traditional arguments against missile defense.