Presidents choice: Star Wars or arms control

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

OSTI ID:6076659

Bundy, M; Kennan, G F; McNamara, R S; Smith, G

The central problem with the President's Star Wars program, while built upon an understandable and common hope for a perfect defense shield, is that it is not technologically achievable. The power of nuclear weapons is such that any explosions will be too many. Political support for Star Wars will last only as long as the public believes it can make nuclear weapons obsolete. The program also violates the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty, and the Soviets will respond with another race to match American nuclear capability. The authors conclude that it would be wise to pursue only the less expensive research end of the program, and for the President to use his political strength to launch a communication effort with the Soviet Union on our common problem of nuclear weapons.

• Research Organization: New York Univ., NY
• OSTI ID: 6076659
• Journal Information: Foreign Aff.; (United States), Journal Name: Foreign Aff.; (United States) Vol. 63:2; 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
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
NATIONAL DEFENSE
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
SPACE WEAPONS
TREATIES
WEAPONS