Ballistic missile defense: the illusion of security

Journal Article · · Foreign Aff.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/20041910· OSTI ID:5948765

Burrows, W E

Reagan's statement that American scientists should begin research on a ballistic missile defense (BMD) system made public a goal of having a multilayered BMD in place within 20 years at a cost estimated at between $250-$500 billion. It set off a frenzy of activity within the defense industry and among defense-dependent research institutions. The public relations value of a defensive system, however, is an exercise in self-deception if Americans are led to believe there could be an adequate shield against nuclear attack or that a BMD would help stabilize the arms race. Instead, a BMD would fuel the arms race, be expensive to develop and produce, and would damage American political credibility by violating existing arms control and weapons testing treaties.

• Research Organization: New York Univ., NY
• OSTI ID: 5948765
• Journal Information: Foreign Aff.; (United States), Journal Name: Foreign Aff.; (United States) Vol. 62:4; ISSN FRNAA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290600* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Nuclear Energy
AGREEMENTS
BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE
ECONOMICS
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS
NATIONAL DEFENSE
POLITICAL ASPECTS
PUBLIC RELATIONS
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
SPACE WEAPONS