21.   At its core, it holds that no nation will risk launching a missile attack if it is left defenseless against a retaliatory strike.

22.   BAGHDAD - As night descended and more punishing missile attacks approached Thursday, this city shrugged its shoulders with weary indifference.

23.   Basically, the Israelis regard its nuclear arsenal as their ace in the hole against hostile neighbors that might want to launch missile attacks with chemical or biological weapons.

24.   Bonds also were sold off before the close amid news reports that the United States had launched a missile attack against Iraq.

25.   -- the National Missile Defense Act, aimed at increasing protection against missile attacks.

26.   A reliable antimissile system could protect the country against the future threat of nuclear missile attack from unpredictable nations like North Korea, Iraq and Iran.

27.   A Star Wars defense shield against missile attack is likely to win new converts.

28.   A second myth is that the United States has protection against a nuclear missile attack.

29.   About two dozen people were killed in the two missile attacks.

30.   Afraid of crashing, the commander flew the plane above the minimum safe altitude, making it vulnerable to missile attack.