Preserving the ABM treaty: a critique of the Reagan Strategic Defense Initiative

Journal Article · Sat Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1994 · International Security

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/2538668· OSTI ID:6469122

Drell, Sidney D. ^[1]; Farley, Philip J. ^[1]; Holloway, David ^[1]

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1. Stanford Univ., CA (United States)

President Reagan's Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) proposal for long-term research and development on a leak-proof defense capability conflicts with the past 15 years of Soviet-American strategic relations and arms control negotiations. It represents a unilateral change, and will elicit a Soviet response based on how the Soviets think their own security may be affected. Whether the SDI transcends or enhances defense, it raises basic issues involving the US-Soviet strategic relationship. Emphasizing the central bearing of the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty of 1972 the author reviews these issues and questions about the technical and strategic grounds of the proposal. Three recommendations are to limit the SDI program to a search for scientific possibilities, to consult with the Soviets on the ABM Treaty, and to recognize that the ABM Treaty will enhance security more than the SDI. 58 references.

• Research Organization: Stanford Univ., CA (United States)
• OSTI ID: 6469122
• Journal Information: International Security, Journal Name: International Security Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 9; ISSN INTSDR; ISSN 0162-2889
• Publisher: MIT Press
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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