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National Missile Defense: Legal & (And) Policy Justifications For Expanding Deterrence & (And) Preventing War In The 21st Century, Michael A. Mccann

San Diego International Law Journal

This Comment will argue that National Missile Defense (NMD) is a desirable form of national defense and also compatible with international law. This Comment begins with an exploration of the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty of 1972 and its legal significance as it has evolved over time culminating with President George W. Bush's announcement on December 13, 2001 to withdraw from the Treaty. Next, it examines the past, current and future forms of missile defense, including how these forms interplay with international law. In the third section, criticisms of missile defense will be evaluated and established to be unpersuasive, especially in light …