The Ballistic Missile Defense Review also advances plans to "Pursue a number of new GMD [Ground-Based Midcourse Defense, supposedly abandoned last September 17] system enhancements, develop next generation missile defense capabilities, and advance other hedging strategies including continued development and assessment of a two-stage ground-based interceptor," and to develop "new capabilities such as a land-based SM-3 system (tentatively called 'Aegis Ashore')" and "increasingly capable PATRIOT batteries for point defense, the AN/TPY-2 X-band radar for detecting and tracking ballistic missiles, Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) batteries for area defense, space-based sensors, and sea-based capabilities such as the SM-3 Block IA interceptor."
The putative purpose for doing so is because the "ballistic missile threat is increasing both quantitatively and qualitatively, and is likely to continue to do so over the next decade." Twenty years after the end of the Cold War.
The 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review outlines additional plans to:
Assure access to space and the use of space assets
Expand future long-range strike capabilities
Defeat enemy sensors and engagement systems
Centralize command of cyber operations
The army is to maintain "7 Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) batteries" and the Navy "1011 aircraft carriers and 10 carrier air wings 84 88 large surface combatants, including 2132 ballistic missile defense-capable combatants and Aegis Ashore." [15]
The Nuclear Posture Review parallels the above plans with the demand for "U.S.-based nuclear weapons that could be deployed forward quickly to meet regional contingencies," and to "Retain the capability to forward-deploy U.S. nuclear weapons on tactical fighter-bombers and heavy bombers" in part "to assure U.S. allies and other security partners that they can count on America's security commitments."
Whereas other nations' military doctrines mention defending their own homelands, "as a global power, the strength and influence of the United States are deeply intertwined with the fate of the broader international system -- a system of alliances, partnerships, and multinational institutions that our country has helped build and sustain for more than sixty years."
The Quadrennial Defense Review also states: "Our deterrent remains grounded in land, air, and naval forces capable of fighting limited and large-scale conflicts in environments where anti-access weaponry and tactics are used, as well as forces prepared to respond to the full range of challenges posed by state and non-state groups."
For six decades Washington has built military alliances around the globe and at an accelerating pace since the end of the Cold War. "Allies and partners" are military outposts that will be defended - preemptively and with nuclear weapons if deemed necessary - and will be used as springboards for attacks on other nations.
1) Prompt Global Strike: World Military Superiority Without Nuclear Weapons
Stop NATO, April 10, 2010
http://rickrozoff.wordpress.com/2010/04/10/prompt-global-strike-world-military-superiority-without-nuclear-weapons
2) Washington Post, April 12, 2010
3) ABC News, April 11, 2010
4) Ibid
5) Nuclear Posture Review Report
U.S. Department of Defense, April 2010
http://www.defense.gov/npr/docs/2010%20Nuclear%20Posture%20Review%20Report.pdf
6) ABC News, April 11, 2010
7) American Forces Press Service, April 12, 2010
8) Russian Information Agency Novosti, April 12, 2010
9) Russian Information Agency Novosti, April 12, 2010
10) American Forces Press Service, February 1, 2010
11) Australian Military Buildup And The Rise Of Asian NATO
Stop NATO, May 6, 2009
http://rickrozoff.wordpress.com/2009/08/28/australian-military-buildup-and-the-rise-of-asian-nato
12) Press TV, April 11, 2010
13) Press TV, April 11, 2010
14) Ballistic Missile Defense Review Report
U.S. Department of Defense, February 1, 2010
http://www.comw.org/qdr/fulltext/1002BMDR.pdf
15) Quadrennial Defense Review Report
U.S. Department of Defense, February 2010
http://www.defense.gov/qdr/QDR%20as%20of%2026JAN10%200700.pdf
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