Debate: European Missile Defenses for NATO

The Project on Nuclear Issues (PONI) and Ploughshares Fund are pleased to invite you to the first in a debate series on a range of nuclear challenges and policy decisions the Trump administration will face in 2017. The debate series aims to provide a forum for in-depth exploration of arguments on both sides of key nuclear policy issues.  Additional topics and dates will be confirmed soon.

Debate question:

Participants will be asked to address the following statement:

• Resolved – The U.S. should continue to expand European missile defenses for NATO

The current approach to European missile defenses emerged prior to the conclusion of the agreement to limit Iran’s nuclear program (JCPOA) at a time when missile threats from beyond the European theater dominated the European Security landscape. Since that time, much has changed, including the Russian annexation of Crimea and finalization of the JCPOA nuclear deal with Iran. This shifting security landscape has returned the spotlight to European missile defenses – but views on the way forward diverge sharply. While some call for expanded missile defenses to bolster assurances to NATO partners, others call for pausing the program before a new site is built in Poland as a means to deescalate tensions with Russia. Thomas Karako and Frank Rose will present arguments in favor of expanding U.S. missiles defenses for NATO, and Joseph Cirincione and Philip Coyle will argue against.

This event is supported by funding from Ploughshares Fund, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, and the National Nuclear Security Administration.