Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament

A Q&A introducing the issue of the US Missile Defence system, this outlines the evidence that this is an offensive, rather than defensive, system that allows the US first-strike capability anywhere in the world. It explains how the UK is involved in this, despite public opposition, and describes how this system will make the UK a more likely target in future wars. Tips are given on how CND’s supporters can get involved in the campaign. 

This Yorkshire CND report is written by Dr Steve Schofield and highlights the rapid growth of the US Spy Base, Menwith Hill, over the last decade and its widening role in new forms of intelligence-led warfare. The report lifts the veil of secrecy surrounding the activities of the base near Harrogate in North Yorkshire, including its role in the wider US missile 'defence' programme, and lays bare the lack of democratic accountability and negative economic impact of this US Spy Base on British soil.

This briefing discusses the implications of the US National Missile Defence programme, which it argues is designed to allow US first strike capability. As a result, it has alarmed Russia and China and increased the chances of a new arms race. The possibility of the NMD leading to the full-scale militarization of space is also discussed, as is US resistance to legal constraints on their ability to place weapons in space. The role of the UK is also discussed, including the implications in terms of cost, the risk of UK-based facilities becoming military targets, and the effects on the sites'…

This paper outlines how space has already become militarised, and how loopholes in the Outer Space Treaty could lead to weaponisation of space. It sets out evidence that the US is already considering this, ostensibly for the purposes of protecting existing satellites, but really in order to ensure dominance of space. Both Russia and China are formally opposed to space weaponry, but there are signs that China and the US may enter a space-based arms race. India may also follow suit, further provoking China and Pakistan

This briefing from May 2004 discusses US plans for space exploration under George W Bush and the military implications pertaining to this, including those relating to missile defence.

This 2003 briefing gives a comprehensive introduction to the issue of US missile defence and indicates the UK involvement in this.