Supporters of a national missile defense (NMD) argue that:
—the missile threat is growing as missile technology proliferates;
—the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty with Russia applies to a Cold War situation that is today entirely different; and
—technologies now exist to make an NMD feasible.

Foes of NMD declare that:
—though the Cold War is over, the Cold War mentality continues in Russia, and, if offended, would poison U.S. relations with a vitally important nation;
—failures in the U.S. antimissile testing program suggest that progress is being rushed; and
—an enemy can equip its missiles with decoys to foil an NMD.

The most sensible course of action might be
—to field a small missile defense that would be sufficient to knock down isolated missiles fired by rogue nations but not powerful enough to threaten Russia's and China's offensive capability.