1.   A national shield is technically more difficult and far more costly.

2.   On the campaign trail, he promised to build a national defensive shield against missiles.

3.   Bush intends to follow through on his pledge during his campaign to build a national shield to protect against limited attack from ballistic missile, the secretary said.

4.   Bush announced Thursday that the United States would withdraw from the treaty, which bans national anti-missile shields.

5.   Bush pledged during his campaign to build a national shield to protect against limited attack from ballistic missiles, the secretary said.

6.   He suggested that if Republicans agree to ease the ban on unilateral cuts, more Democrats might support GOP demands for a national shield against incoming ballistic missiles.

7.   Talbott defended the national shield, calling it part of a multi-pronged approach that includes deterrence and export controls on technology.

8.   Washington says a national shield is needed to protect the United States from attacks by rogue states, but China says missile defenses will start a new arms race.

9.   Washington argues that its proposed national shield is not aimed at China and Russia but at stopping missiles from North Korea and other smaller states hostile to U.S. interests.