The Strategic Defense Initiative: New perspectives on deterrence

Book · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:6732297

Dallmeyer, D G

The Strategic Defense Initiative has evolved into a massively funded research and development effort with profound implications not only for weapons technology but also for East-West relations. In this book, preeminent figures from the policymaking and defense communities address critical aspects of the program, offering widely divergent points of view. Some contributors view SDI as the best way to develop alternatives to the strategy of retaliation by strengthening defensive deterrence, and they decry political reluctance to proceed with deployment. Others cite what they argue are virtually insurmountable technological obstacles to developing a ''perfect'' defense. They believe SDI will mean the end of arms control and an escalation of superpower competition in both offensive and defensive weapons. Some contributors look at the foreign policy perspectives, examining the fear of our NATO allies that SDI represents a progressive decoupling of the U.S. strategic deterrent from the defense of Europe. But as a counterpoint, some argue that SDI is not a doctrinal revolution in American strategic policy but rather a way to gain leverage over the Soviet strategic arsenal.

• OSTI ID: 6732297
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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293000 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Policy
Legislation
& Regulation
350100* -- Arms Control-- Policy
Negotiations
& Legislation-- (1987-)
45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
450202 -- Explosions & Explosives-- Nuclear-- Weaponry-- (-1989)
98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION
ARMS CONTROL
ASIA
BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE
EASTERN EUROPE
EUROPE
EVALUATION
FOREIGN POLICY
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
MILITARY STRATEGY
NATIONAL DEFENSE
NATO
NORTH AMERICA
NUCLEAR DETERRENCE
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
POLITICAL ASPECTS
PROLIFERATION
PROPOSALS
RESEARCH PROGRAMS
RISK ASSESSMENT
USA
USSR
WEAPONS
WESTERN EUROPE