Lee has accumulated irrefutable, unclassified evidence of a dirty little secret: Those responsible for designing and deploying the Kremlin's ABM system around Moscow (which was allowed under the 1972 ABM Treaty) were under orders to use its radars and 8, 000-10, 000 surface-to-air interceptors to assemble an illegal nation-wide missile defense.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center For Security Policy

The Patriot is an advanced surface-to-air missile system intended to defend against aircraft, cruise and ballistic missiles.

BBC: Fact file: Patriot missile defence

In 1989, a U.S. fighter jet destroyed a U.S. satellite by firing a modified air-to-air missile into space from an altitude of 80, 000 feet.

CNN: Navy missile hits dying spy satellite, says Pentagon

If I were to build to a surface-to-air missile capable of destroying an airliner, can I assume that Sheriff Mueller would not only refuse to enforce federal registration, but would actively prevent federal agents from arresting me?

FORBES: It's Time for Sheriffs to Enforce Gun Laws, Not Break Them

For example, an attempt to bring down Zia's jet with a surface-to-air missile in 1982 is bungled because the would-be assassin has never used the weapon before.

CNN: BHUTTO'S HEIR TO VIOLENCE

News agency reports, citing US sources, speak of an arms convoy carrying sophisticated surface-to-air missile systems being attacked near to the Syria-Lebanon border.

BBC: Analysis: Strike adds complexity to tense region

To the contrary, it has taken great pains to protect those elements of its leadership and workforce deemed necessary to the survival of the Soviet Union through an array of ballistic missile, air and civil defenses -- even as it has strived to increase U.S. vulnerability through a relentless buildup of offensive nuclear arms.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Holding our noses against gas attack