Questions
How has the program changed orientation with each respective president?

Technical information on NMD/BMD/TMD: What are the differences?

TMD Sales: Questions that remain
A.How decisions on TMD 3rd party cooperation are made: What is the process & Who are the actors?
Look at: GAO: Better Information Needed to Support Decisions Affecting Proposed Weapons Transfers http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d03694.pdf

Why did Defense Secretary Aspin change the orientation of the BMD program in 1993 to focus on theater missile defenses instead of national missile defense? From 1983-1993 the threat was percieved to be from a massive Soviet attack on the US mainland. After the fall of the Soviet Union President Bush changed the orientation to “providing protection from limited ballistic missile strikes, whatever their source...to the United States, to our forces overseas, and to our allies.” Aspin claimed on May 13, 1993 that it was "the end of the Star Wars era."

Comments
Theater missile defense is the most valuable program since it's purpose to defend against short & medium range missiles addresses the only clear and present current and long term threat.

Items to Look Into:
"Proliferation and Missile Defense , European Allied and Israeli Perspectives,"The National Institute for Public Policy, early 90's.

Comparative Strategy Journal: Early 90's Back issues

October 15, 2003: Evaluating Russia's concession on ABM treaty in 2001

October 4, 2003: Looking into transition from SDI Phase architecture to Global Protection Against Limited Strikes (GPALS). Find Aspin's '93 Bottom Up Review.

September 29, 2003: Setting up interviews and looking for resources in early 90's.

September 25, 2003: Looking at shift in BMD policy in early 90's to a focus on theater missile defense systems--as opposed to NMD's-- by Bush and Clinton administrations. Looking into Aspin's policy statements and Congressional testimony.

September 24, 2003: I am interested in India's decade long interest in aquiring a theater missile defense system. My angle on the question is on US policy towards cooperation with other countries on theater missile defense. I have been monitoring the Arrow negotiations between Israel and India as well as the debate within the Bush administration to allow this sale go through. I have reached the conclusion that the administration wants to approve this transfer but is constrained by current geo-political realities.I am looking into how the administration is balencing TMD cooperation with other countries in light of MTCR restrictions. The National Policy on Ballistic Missile Defense that came out in late May is especially telling. The review stated that the MTCR will not hinder cooperation on BMD, a statement that can only be directed to India and Taiwan.