commission assess missile threat united_states missile threat united_states called independent commission formed congress evaluate missile threat posed united_states group began work january issued unanimous final report july month mandate report warned growing threat missiles inability intelligence track developments contrasted views previous intelligence estimates stated threat missiles years away commission fueled debate national missile defense system contributed phrase axis evil background argument national missile defense system united_states traditionally protect country soviet missile attack fall soviet_union proponents missile defense shield began instead focus risk posed rogue states developing missiles capable eventually reaching case national intelligence estimate stated country major nuclear powers capable acquiring missiles reach canada united_states ensuing years republican intent funding defensive shield criticized report clinton administration inaccurate assessments distorted intelligence republican congressman pennsylvania walked cia briefing later said outrageous intelligence document seen years washington february held hearings missile threat final report recommended reviews created investigate complete new investigation missile threat process highly ranking democrat committee california congressman accused relying far heavily outside experts witnesses called committee fact strong proponents missile defense review conducted director future defense secretary concluded evidence faulty political bias conclusions conclusion angered missile defense supporters counted review arguments commission history second review conducted outside commission took agree commission membership commission eventually began meet mid january future secretary defense commission formed investigate feasibility national missile defense shield reality conclusions influence debate led washington doubt unanimous conclusion possible wished reach consensus instituted policy noted objection report needed support commissioners weeks little new information threat investigated mid february mandate supposedly giving access necessary information executive branch commission complained person point commission gained greater access information personnel intelligence community commission continued mid july time frustrated intelligence refusal analysts speculate given information considered general inexperience intelligence personnel group limit interviews members government spoke employees boeing especially missile designs basis long range missile program conclusions final reports commission page classified report congress page report version group came unanimous conclusions threatened missiles tipped biological nuclear china russia iran iraq north_korea iran north_korea develop capability strike years decision pursue missile technology iraq require years intelligence community growing threats processes intelligence community estimates threat causing erosion accurate assessments diminishing warning time missile systems operationally deployed warning future aftermath immediate findings commission generated mixed reactions intelligence officers experts intelligence community privately angered harsh language report describe assessments threat cia director openly criticize public congressional proponents national missile shield especially republicans findings push case shield necessary experts government questioned report saying general reaching definite conclusions intelligence estimate focused actually occurring commission focused occur labeled article hypothesis based threat assessment observers took moderate tone reaction acknowledging funding provided national missile defense tests saying rush developing technology prove ineffective costly months final report events occurred supporters reinforced commission conclusions late july iran tested time new missile traveled miles exploding basic design modeled north_korea launched described stage satellite launch august year surprise intelligence expected test stage partially based stage failed nonetheless major development introduced stage separation solid fuel north korean commission public consciousness chairman commission named newly elected president secretary defense second time office december commissioner praised commission work new_york_times piece reiterated commission suggested build missile defense system members commission appointed new bush administration named deputy secretary defense appointed march selected fill newly created secretary position man conducted review missile threat appointed secretary defense november resignation commission thought foreign policy analysts basis president axis evil line state accused iraq iran north_korea state sponsors terrorism pursuing weapons mass destruction grouped countries believed pursuing missile programs based missile days bush presidency administration focused heavily developing national missile defense system counter threats month address speaker house appointed head commission mentioned importance commission findings relation ability predict threat posed axis members participants commission chaired secretary defense republican included following members republicans general democrats general david jason bernard victory henry
Commission to Assess the Ballistic Missile Threat to the United States