21.   The missile theater defense will be based on the Aegis radar system used by the navies of both countries.

22.   The Russian motivation to cooperate on theater missile defense is clear.

23.   The United States and Japan have already agreed to joint research of a theater missile defense, which would be used to intercept missiles over a more limited area.

24.   The United States and Japan have already agreed to joint research on a smaller system, theater missile defense, that could intercept missiles over a more limited area.

25.   Theater missile defenses address a clear and direct threat to American deployed forces from short-range missiles.

26.   Theater defenses have been designed to rely on several layers acting in concert to increase the odds of shooting down enemy missiles.

27.   Theater missile defense, which shoots down short-range missiles and cruise missiles, will protect armed forces in combat zones.

28.   This winter Secretary of Defense William Cohen visited Japan to further discussions of a research project with the United States to develop their theater missile defense.

29.   Though the debate is already heated, theater defenses that could stop a blitz of short-range missiles are still in the unproved research stage.

30.   Weapons experts say the Aegis system could someday be adapted for use in the kind of theater missile defense whose development China vehemently opposes.