Argument: Backing down on European missile defense implies weakness

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Peter Brookes. “The Case for European Missile Defense”. Heritage. March 14, 2008 – “In recent years, the United States decided that leaving itself deliberately vulnerable to any weapon system or state, as it did during the Cold War, was foolish. And rightfully so. Deliberate vulnerability can lead to perceptions of weakness, inviting provocation or aggression from another nation or transnational actor. In addition, being perceived as weak and vulnerable can lead a potential adversary to use threats, intimidation, “blackmail” or coercion to achieve its objectives.”