Theodore A. Postol

A physicist, Postol is professor of science, technology, and national security policy at MIT. His expertise is in ballistic missile defense technologies and ballistic missiles more generally. Prior to coming to MIT, he worked as an analyst at the Office of Technology Assessment and as a science and policy adviser to the chief of naval operations. In 2001, he received the Norbert Wiener Prize from Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility for uncovering numerous false claims about missile defenses.

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Articles by Theodore A. Postol

Opinion
20 September 2012
Nuclear Weapons

The astonishing National Academy of Sciences missile defense report

George N. LewisTheodore A. Postol

A recent National Academy report reaches flawed conclusions based on incorrect assumptions, analytical oversights, and internal inconsistency. It should undergo a comprehensive technical review before it is used in missile defense policy making.

Opinion
20 September 2012
Nuclear Weapons

The astonishing National Academy of Sciences missile defense report

George N. LewisTheodore A. Postol

Just a few weeks ago, on September 11, the National Academy of Sciences issued a report titled "Making Sense of Ballistic Missile Defense: an Assessment of Concepts and Systems for US Boost Phase Missile Defense in Comparison to Other Alternatives." It is an astonishing document, given that it purports to be the product of a respectable scientific institution. It contains numerous flawed assumptions, analytical oversights, and internal inconsistencies.

1 November 2010
Feature

How US strategic antimissile defense could be made to work 1

George N. LewisTheodore A. Postol

The authors show that the United States has the ability to defend itself from long-range nuclear armed ballistic missiles if it builds the right systems—defenses based on stealthy drones that could shoot down ballistic missiles in powered flight after they have been launched from fixed known sit

Opinion
29 June 2009

A post-launch examination of the Unha-2

Theodore A. Postol

North Korea tested a launch vehicle called the Unha-2 from its Musudan-ri launch site in North Hamgyong province on April 5 local time (April 4, 10:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time). Using information that has become available since the test and information from previous tests, we have conducted a technical analysis that leads to a compelling description of the Unha-2 launcher. This analysis suggests both challenges and potential opportunities.

1 May 2008
Feature

The European Missile Defense Folly

George N. LewisTheodore A. Postol

The United States plans to protect itself from emerging missile threats by building a Europe-based missile defense system. Like its predecessors, the system has serious technological deficiencies.

1 March 2000
Feature

National Missile Defense: The Target is Russia

Theodore A. Postol