The national missile defense system we’re currently building would be made more effective if we were allowed to place a particular kind of radar in the Canadian arctic. The Canadians have not yet granted permission, because they opposed the Bush administration’s decision to withdraw from the ABM Treaty. Now there’s a question of whether Canada can remain a full partner at NORAD. Lots of people don’t realize this, but NORAD is a binational project, and there’s a Canadian flag flying alongside Old Glory at the entrance to Cheyenne Mountain in Colorado Springs. So this week there are discussions about whether the Canadians will participate in a missile defense system that will have the capability of defending all of North America, not just the United States. If they don’t do their share, though, are we obligated to blow up a North Korean missile aimed at Vancouver? We’d do it, of course. But can’t you imagine the outrage if we didn’t?