President George Bush has sent another clear signal he is determined to withdraw from a nuclear arms treaty regarded by many countries as the cornerstone of international security.
Following his announcement the United States would withdraw unilaterally from the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) treaty, Mr Bush named Gen Richard Myers as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Gen Myers is a strong proponent of space-based warfare. Although Mr Bush said his appointment would help the US military meeting the "changing threats of tomorrow", many countries, including NATO members, are worried the latest moves could lead to the militarisation of space and the start of a new arms race.
The Bush administration sees a future nuclear threat from "rogue states" such as Iran, Iraq, Libya and North Korea and wants to build a missile defence system. To do so would breach the ABM treaty.
The US plan is opposed to different degrees within NATO, with France as the leading opponent. Russia, the co-signatory of ABM with the US, and China are vehemently opposed to Mr Bush's plans but the Kremlin was silent on the issue yesterday.
The appointment of Gen Myers (59) has to be ratified by the US Senate, which is now under the control of the Democrats. Senator Joseph Biden, the Senate Majority Leader, has already indicated his possible opposition to the missile defence plans.
Gen Myers is one of Defence Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld's closest advisers on the massive review to restructure the US military, and he has joined talks with Russia aimed at lifting treaty restrictions on missile defences, a key aspect of Mr Bush's defence policy.
Mr Rumsfeld, regarded as the most conservative member of Mr Bush's cabinet, spoke glowingly of Gen Myers yesterday.
"Change is hard, and changing so vital an institution as the U.S. Department off Defence is not undertaken lightly," he said.
"You get to know someone pretty well after the kind of effort we've put behind the work you have assigned us. What I have come to know and expect of Gen Myers is candour, deliberation, judgment, keen insights, fibre and good humour."
When Gen Myers was commander of the Air Force Space Command at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado from 1998-2000, he heartily endorsed satellite defences, even though three satellite launches failed during his tenure.
Last year, Gen Myers called satellite systems essential to modern warfare and cited "the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the missiles that deliver them to our cities."
He compared the airmen who guide the systems to second World War heroes.
Standing beside Mr Bush during the announcement, Gen Myers said he was humbled by his appointment.
"I'm ready to roll up my sleeves and build the kind of military that President Bush envisions ... one that is poised to meet current obligations and emerging threats," he said.