National Missile Defense - A Conclusion The only thing that seems certain is that the missile defense program will intercept large amounts of taxpayers money. - Anonymous Analyst The National Missile Defense System that President Clinton must make a deployment decision on in June 2000 has yet to prove itself to be technologically feasible. The current proposal is far more realistic than Reagan's original plan and few would argue that technology has not improved dramatically - particularly in the field of computer hardware. However, the long record of testing failures highlights the necessity of considerable further testing. The system is just too expensive and too politically important for a deployment decision to be rushed. The possible political ramifications, particularly in the realm of arms reduction should also give us pause before we continue with deployment. Moreover, there are ethical questions in regards to wasting taxpayer money on a system that may not work and that will hurt arms reduction programs. The system may also give people a false sense of security or be used to allow the US to bully other countries. A major question that must be answered is if the United States would prefer to provide for its national security by way of a defense system that poses a threat to other members of the international community. Peaceful international arms reduction negotiations seem to be a more productive solution for everyone. Due to the substantial ethical and technological questions looming over the project, we advise against a rush to deployment without first allowing further public debate over the issues we have raised.