EMP Threat

The Institute for Foreign Policy Analysis recently issued a report on the role of missile defense in countering the electromagnetic-pulse threat, particularly from terrorists operating from a cargo ship off the continental United States. "In particular, this means that we should seek all means to prevent a threatening vessel from approaching U.S. territorial waters close enough to launch an EMP-threatening ballistic missile -- and failing that, to intercept the missile in its ascent phase before it releases a nuclear warhead," the report states, adding: "We should increase deployment of -- and continue to improve -- this defense capability, which will be imperfect initially."