by Klaus Rohrich
august 9, 2004
The idea of a North american anti-missile perimeter is essential to the survival of our way of life. Whether or not that way of life deserves to survive is a matter for another discussion entirely. But, speaking of the long term, if North america wishes to avoid a sneak attack like the one that caught the U.S. totally off guard on December 7, 1941, then a continental missile defense system is an absolute necessity. Here’s why:
as the so-called nuclear club continues to grow from its initial four countries to God-only-knows how many countries, the threat of a nuclear indiscretion increases logarithmically. The initial four nuclear powers--the USSR, the U.S., England and France were able to work within certain parameters that included the concept of mutually assured destruction and managed to keep each other at bay through a general understanding of this principle. However, as the nuclear club grows in size and the geopolitical picture changes, so does the chance of someone using nukes.
Currently, there are several countries that come to mind. Chief among these are North Korea and Iran. North Korea currently has nuclear capabilities and it is estimated that there are at least eight nuclear devices in its arsenal. What North Korea lacks is a reliable delivery system. However, according to Jane’s Defence Weekly, all that is about to change. North Korea is in the process of acquiring surplus Soviet submarines, which will make an ideal platform from which to launch nuclear missiles.
This means that it’s entirely possible that within the next 18 to 24 months, North Korea will have the capacity to strike anywhere in North america. This prospect does not give me a fuzzy feeling.
another so-called rogue nation that is in the process of joining the nuclear club is Iran. The current regime in Iran is committed to the destruction of Israel and the formation of a worldwide Islamic theocracy. For the past decade they have used Hezbollah as a weapon against the West. If Iran acquires nuclear weapons, and accepted wisdom is that they are very close to this goal, they will have no qualms about using them in their quest. Currently Iran has the capacity to strike Israel. If Iran were to acquire intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), then they would also acquire the capability to strike at North america. again, I believe that Iran would not hesitate to use nukes against the West (which, believe it or not, includes Canada) without regard of any ensuing retaliatory consequences.
Last week, I heard a great deal of debate about whether or not Canada should participate in the proposed North american Defense Perimeter. I was dismayed by the number of Canadians who expressed the opinion that they did not trust the United States and that in participating in this scheme, Canada is essentially ceding control of outer space to the americans.
Where to begin? First of all, I was not aware that Canada had control of or the wherewithal to gain control of outer space. Second, the concept that by becoming a part of this perimeter amounts to our agreement to "weaponize" outer space is specious in that the technology is not based in outer space. are you listening, Jack Layton? Third, I am given to wonder whether most Canadians are really as stupid as they sound. Do they really trust the americans less than the North Koreans or the Iranians? Hmm, let’s see, is Kim Jong Il, the paranoid schizophrenic dictator of North Korea, or the President of the United States more likely to stick to his word? are the mullahs of Iran with their history of sponsoring terrorism against the West or George W. Bush trustworthier? If we are seriously asking these questions, then there is something wrong with us, not with the americans.
It is difficult for me to come to terms with the views of many of my compatriots because it clearly shows to what degree we have allowed ourselves to be led down the garden path. In their efforts to remain in power, the federal Liberal Party has pandered to the whims of every whacked-out terrorists group operating in Canada. To protect their bona fides they have used anti-americanism as a tool to secure their votes and in the process have convinced many Canadians with no scores to settle in their home country that the americans are the true enemy. This is likely to backfire on the Liberals in a big way.
I have often maintained that the Liberals are as predicable as an atomic clock. Despite any allegations to the contrary, the Liberal government will ultimately sign on with the americans’ continental missile defense program. In doing so it will alienate much of its power base. But then, they know in the final analyses which side their bread is buttered on. and you can be sure it isn’t with the North Koreans or the Iranians or any other emerging nuclear power.