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Shield America

Shield America

We Are At Risk

FDD’s Missile Defense Project focuses on the need to defend the United States and our allies from the threat of a nuclear missile attack by a rogue regime or a terrorist organization.  The project is led by FDD Adjunct Fellow Rebeccah Heinrichs, who formerly managed the House Missile Defense Caucus, a forum where Members of Congress learn about missile defense programs, the threat from ballistic missiles, and discuss U.S. defense initiatives.

Heinrichs has worked closely with FDD Chairman Jim Woolsey, the former CIA director under President Clinton, to examine the importance of missile defense to U.S. national security.  She has also written extensively on the need to increase missile defense funding and on other issues related to the testing and deployment of missile defense systems.

The project also pays attention to the threat of an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attack.  Our reliance on electronics for every aspect of our lives makes the U.S. vulnerable to this real threat.

An electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attack could be triggered by a nuclear warhead detonated at high altitude over the United States. The resulting blast would create an EMP, a shockwave that could "cripple military and civilian communications, power, transportation, water, food, and other infrastructure" and lead to the deaths of millions of Americans.

This threat emanates most notably from Iran, whose president has promised that "a world without America" is possible and attainable. The Iranian regime is building up its ballistic missile and nuclear capabilities and has tested high altitude missile detonations.

For more information on the need for greater protections against an EMP attack, please watch FDD’s video on this topic and consider sharing it with your friends.

"Where the terrorist airliner attacks of 9/11 killed thousands, a terrorist EMP attack could indirectly kill millions and conceivably cause the permanent collapse of our entire society." - Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD)

"...many people may ultimately die for lack of the basic elements necessary to sustain life..."
- Commission to Assess the Threat to the United States from Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Attack, April 2008

"Iranian military writings explicitly discuss a nuclear EMP attack that would gravely harm the United States."
- Commission to Assess the Threat to the United States from Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Attack

The Problem with the Pivot

18th April 2013 – Scripps Howard News Service

The Problem with the Pivot

Clifford D. May

Last year, the White House announced a “pivot” toward Asia, a “rebalancing” of what National Security adviser Tom Donilon called “all elements of U.S. power.” There was to be less emphasis... more...

Analysis & Commentary

22nd April 2013 – The Huffington Post

HuffPost Live

Claudia Rosett

President Reagan's "Star Wars" speech promised the U.S. would make nuclear weapons "impotent and obsolete." Decades later many declare missile defense a success, while others argue it's still unproven... more...

11th April 2013 – Bloomberg

Bottom Line

Clifford D. May

FDD's Clifford D. May comments on breaking news that North Korea may have nuclear armed missiles and that country's latest round of threats. more...

10th April 2013 – CTV News

News Update

Clifford D. May

FDD's Clifford May discusses what Kim Jong Un is trying to prove with the latest round of threats. more...

10th April 2013 – Fox News

Fox and Friends

Clifford D. May

FDD's Clifford D. May discusses North Korea's latest round of threats and its collaboration with Iran. more...

In the News

14th April 2013 – The Wall Street Journal

US Offers Direct Korea Talks

9th April 2013 – The Washington Post

North Korea Warns Foreigners in the South Should Make Plans to Evacuate

3rd April 2013 – The Wall Street Journal

US Dials Back on Korean Show of Force

2nd April 2013 – Reuters

US Deploys Warship as Tensions Over North Korea Rise

1st April 2013 – The Wall Street Journal

US Moves Missile Destroyers Near Korea

19th February 2013 – Reuters

North Korea Threatens South with “Final Destruction”

12th February 2013 – The Wall Street Journal

Pyongyang Defies US, Neighbors With Nuclear Test

12th December 2012 – The Wall Street Journal

UN Condemns North Korea Rocket Launch

11th December 2012 – Reuters

North Korea Launches Rocket , Raising Nuclear Arms Stakes

26th August 2012 – The New York Times

US Arms Sales Make Up Most of Global Market

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