Questions for Chicago Council: 26 March, 2012 @chicagocouncil #FutureOfNATO Q1: What is the estimated Costs of the European

Missile Defense? As of December, 2011, the US Dept. of Defense had yet to publish a cost estimate of the program. And as recently as January, the GAO states the DOD still needs to address cost and planning issues. via @usgao Ballistic Missile Defense: DOD Needs to Address Planning and Implementation Challenges for Future Capabilities in Europe (January 26, 2012) http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-220 via @AOL White House Demands Price Tag For European Missile Shield, Again (Dec. 09, 2011) http://defense.aol.com/2011/12/09/white-house-demands-price-tag-for-europeanmissile-shield-again/

Q2: Is there any effort on the part of NATO to provide the Russian Federation with legal guarantees that the European Missile Shield will never be directed at Russia? SecretaryGeneral Rasmussen has cited the NATO-Russia Founding Act as the basis for guaranteeing that the European Missile Shield will not be directed at Russia. This document is an expression of intent and provides a mechanism for cooperation between NATO Member States and the Russian Federation. However, it provides no legally-binding guarantees with regards to specific actions or programs. via @nytimes Anders Fogh Rasmussen: NATO and Russia Can Defend Together (Dec. 05, 2011) http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/06/opinion/nato-and-russia-can-defend-together.html via @nato Founding Act on Mutual Relations, Cooperation and Security between NATO and the Russian Federation signed in Paris, France, 1997. (1997) http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/official_texts_25468.htm Q3: Couldnt NATO find a platform via which to directly address the concerns of those who are requesting a permit to protest the upcoming Chicago Summit? Instead of an atmosphere of confrontation, is it possible to for NATO to reach out and address the concerns and questions of citizens? via @chicagotribune Chicago police: Planned NATO protest would be 'significant drain' on resources, cause traffic (March 27, 2011) http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/snsap-il--chicagosummit-protestpermit,0,6354142.story Kind thanks for your consideration, @picobee