Ballistic missile defense: the illusion of security
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
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