In this article, Mr Shukman explores the complexities and implications of a Global Protection System. Not only is the concept appealing to certain members of both the Russian and American defence staffs as a means of pooling expertise in this adverse economic—and, as regards Russia—political climate, but it would offer joint opposition to unpredictable and irrational regimes with, a ballistic missile capacity. Opponents to this project outside Russia and America are, however, equally vociferous. Britain and France envisage, potentially, a situation in which their nuclear deterrent forces would be negated to American and Russian supremacy, whilst there is a very real fear that a Global Protection System dominated by these two countries to the possible exclusion of other nations, would encourage a new arms race in, perhaps, Europe, and more alarmingly, in the Middle East and the new republics of the CIS.