Strategic Defense Initiative: implications for US deterrence policy

Thesis/Dissertation · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:5357341

MacDougall, A S

While ballistic missile defenses (formerly called ABMs) were believed foreclosed from the nuclear balance as a result of the ABM Treaty, the SDI program has brought ballistic missile defenses back into the strategic equation. It is possible to suggest that missile defenses may make a significant contribution to US national security. Given this proposition, the dissertation follows the analysis as outlined: (1) The original ABM debate of the late 1960s is reviewed with respect to the arguments of proponents and opponents of the ABM. This debate led the US to accept the dominance of offensive nuclear forces in the nuclear balance. (2) While the US had foresworn working on ballistic-missile defenses during the 1970s, the strategic nuclear balance and foundations of deterrence have changed. (3) US strategic nuclear policy has evolved since the late 1960s to incorporate three major policy schools: assured destruction, countervailing, and nuclear war-fighting. Ballistic missile defenses fit with these policies in quite different ways. (4) US strategic offensive nuclear forces may be altered significantly by the deployment of a missile defense. (5) A US missile defense could effectively break up the ABM Treaty and spell an end to the arms control process. On the other hand, the SDI also may serve as an impetus to a new arms control treaty which incorporates reductions in offensive nuclear forces.

• Research Organization: Massachusetts Univ., Amherst (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5357341
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

350000* -- Arms Control-- (1987-)
98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION
ARMS CONTROL
BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE
NATIONAL DEFENSE
NATIONAL SECURITY
NORTH AMERICA
NUCLEAR DETERRENCE
SECURITY
TREATIES
USA