Missile Defense Options for Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan: a Review of the Defense Department Report to Congress
Order Code RL30379 Missile Defense Options for Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan: A Review of the Defense Department Report to Congress November 30, 1999 name redacted Specialist in U.S. Foreign Policy name redacted Specialist in National Security Policy name redacted Research Associate Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division ABSTRACT This report reviews the unclassified 1999 Department of Defense (DoD) report to Congress on U.S. theater missile defense systems that could protect, and could be transferred to, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. It summarizes the DoD report and, for clarification, some of its unstated assumptions. It further analyzes policy implications of the report’s findings and assumptions, and outlines U.S. options for missile defense in East Asia. Because the DoD report is unclassified, written on a tight time deadline, and limited in scope, it does not address certain key issues that are raised and discussed here. The ability of these systems to defend against all missile threats remains questionable, and it is not clear what would be required to link three separate systems for Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan into a regional system. DoD was not asked to address political, strategic, or economic issues, but this CRS Report identifies several such issues that emerge as possible topics for further congressional examination. For more information on related legislation, see CRS Issue Brief IB98028, Theater Ballistic Missile Defense. This CRS Report will not be updated. Missile Defense Options for Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan: A Review of the Defense Department Report to Congress Summary The FY 1999 National Defense Authorization Act (P.L.
[Show full text]