The Evolution of Missile Defense Plan from Bush to Obama. Implications for the National Security of Romania

Abstract

In 2011 Romania officially became part of the Obama administration's missile defense system in Europe which has significantly changed the strategic military relations both in Europe and worldwide. The Bush approach has been revised and progress in several sections has been achieved, both strategically and technically. For Romania, the participation in the missile defence plan, ensures more solid security guarantees, especially in an unpredictable and risk-prone international environment where the U.S. reconsiders its presence in Europe under the pressure of the economic crisis and of a relative decline in power; it has also become a more visible actor - alongside Bulgaria - which were initially excluded by the Bush missile defence plan. This paper's purpose is to review the main evolutions of the missile defense plan from the Bush to the Obama administration and to outline its implications on the national security of Romania.