The bipartisan Committee on the Present Danger (CPD) takes those threats seriously, as well as threats from North Korea and Iran. Chaired by James Woolsey, former director of the CIA, Senator John Kyl, and former Secretary of State George Shultz, the CPD is dedicated to the defense of the American homeland, especially attack by EMP missiles. The CPD board of directors sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta on August 14th, stating concerns about a U.S. Army request to put JLENS, a proven defense against cruise missiles, into a limbo leading to cancelation by simply not holding a final field test. That decision does not recognize the strategic importance of the system, or that Congress has already appropriated $40 million to complete the test.
In his nomination acceptance speech Thursday night, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney said, “Under my administration our friends will see more loyalty, and Putin will see a little less flexibility and more backbone.”
It is not too late to build defenses to protect the American homeland and our troops in combat. The JLENS system and that “backbone” are needed — now.
Chet Nagle is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, a former Pentagon official, and author of “Iran Covenant.”
