Not Home Alone: Canada and Ballistic Missile Defence

In: International journal / Canadian Institute of International Affairs, Band 56, Heft 4, S. 678-685

Abstract

Canada's experience with national missile defense (NMD) agreements is addressed, highlighting the history of defense policy, particularly nuclear missile defense, & Canada's links to other nuclear powers, particularly the US. Problems arising from involvement & noninvolvement in NMD are addressed. The issue of Canada's autonomy in missile defense is assessed in terms of whether NMD is just an extension of US/NATO defense policy & Canda's typical role of being officially involved but not actually participating. Canadian participation would be driven by national interest, despite a government discourse on serving international interests only, & it is maintained that such involvement does not signal Canadian subservience to the US. In addition, Canada's active engagement is called for, noting that its current policy of nonweaponization might be found untenable. 2 References. R. Whyte