US budget woes could hit European missile defense

Negotiators have shown little sign they will be able to meet next weeks deadline for reducing the federal deficit by $1.2 trillion. A new law mandates cuts throughout the federal government if the negotiations fail. That would include a big slice of the defense budget.It is not known which programs would be affected. But an expensive program aimed primarily at defending Europe is unlikely to be spared.The US sees the missile defense system as part of its contribution to the NATO military alliance. With the United States often complaining that it makes a disproportionately large contribution to NATO, missile defense could be vulnerable.