Ballistic Missile Threat and NATO’s Missile Defense Shield: An Analysis from Turkey’s Perspective

Abstract

Concerns emanating from the inexorable link between Iran’s growing ballistic missile inventory and it ambitions to acquire nuclear weapons capability are at the heart of recent US and NATO efforts to constitute a ballistic missile defense shield. EPAA (European Phased Adaptive Approach) pushed on the table by US in 2010 and endorsed by most NATO states is in harmony with Turkey’s traditional positioning in the face of missile threat. Thence, not only Turkey has endorsed EPAA, but it has also become a pivotal ally in its implementation.

Keywords

Ballistic Missiles, Ballistic Missile Defenses, Weapons of Mass Destruction, Deterrence (Strategy), North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Citation

Egeli, Sıtkı, “Ballistic Missile Threat and NATO’s Missile Defense Shield: An Analysis from Turkey’s Perspective”, International Relations, Volume 10, Issue 40 (Winter 2014), pp. 39-73.

Affiliations

• Sıtkı EGELİ, Dr., Ankara