Can someone explain this situation of the U.S. planning on setting up a missile defense system in Europe?

Question

What is this missile defense system, exactly; how does it work? Why is is necessary to set one up in Europe? Is it for defense against possible threats from the Middle East? Also, I read that Russia is threatening to pull out from the INF treaty because they were not informed of the U.S. decision, and they feel threatened. What would that mean for the U.S. if Russia pulls out? Will they become a threat to us? Is there any way to fix the situation, and if so, how? Should the U.S. just back off with their plans?

reliable sources appreciated.

Answer 1

"What is this missile defense system, exactly; how does it work? "

It is a 3 layered system of anti-missile missiles. The first layer is Aegis cruisers in the ocean, the second layer is long range missiles on land, and the third layer are Patriot missiles providing defense to specific sites.

"Why is is necessary to set one up in Europe?"

It is not necessary, but it is prudent. It's not necessary to have an alarm on your house, but it is a good idea.

" Is it for defense against possible threats from the Middle East? "

It is a defense against any missile threat, no matter the source.

"What would that mean for the U.S. if Russia pulls out?"

Nothing much. The cold war is over, they are no longer our primary concern.

"Will they become a threat to us?"

They always have been. Even though the cold war is over, they have always been a threat, just not as big as they used to be.

"Is there any way to fix the situation, and if so, how?"

Fix what situation?

"Should the U.S. just back off with their plans?"

No. If the criminals don't want you to put an alarm on your house, will you change your mind? Do you what you think is best to protect your family, and ignore people that disagree.


...EDIT...jwk227 is wrong, there have been many successful tests of the system.

Answer 2

The missle defense system basically just detects a missile, then fires one of its own. when they get ready to meet it ejects this little vehicle that hits the missle at a high rate of speed and destroys it. The only problem with it is, that its never actually worked in a test session. Basically, Russia is threatened by the fact that if we setup a missle defense in Europe we can stop their first strike capability so they won't be able to nuke us before we can nuke them. If Russia pulls out of the INF we are pretty much looking at the start of another Cold War and this time it won't turn out peacefully.. yeah thats a ballastic missle they've always been able to shoot those down. the ones they can't get are the ones that leave the lower levels of the earths atmosphere and then re-enter. They have never been able to hit one of those. Ballastic missles are easier to hit. but Russia has missles that this system couldnt' touch so its not even important. The important thing though is that the countries that are getting them want them there, to protect them and the rest of europe.