Looking beyond the Strategic Defense Initiative. Study project

Technical Report · Wed Mar 30 04:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:6776164

Nichols, D H

On 23 March 1983, President Reagan announced a new proposal. This study looks at the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) and how it will achieve the objectives President Reagan envisioned in his speech. It examines a scenario in which deterrence has failed and the time for Presidential decision making is severely compressed. It then looks at Presidential decision making during such a crisis and examines his options. Next, it looks at how the SDI is envisioned to work and contribute to the ultimate goal of eliminating the threat posed by nuclear ballistic missiles. Last, it examines the possibility that SDI may create a world we do not want; a dangerous world in which conventional wars between the two superpowers would become possible, maybe even probable. It does this by examining its impact on NATO, particularly in light of the proposed Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces treaty.

• Research Organization: Army War Coll., Carlisle Barracks, PA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6776164
• Report Number(s): AD-A-195079/9/XAB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

350101* -- Arms Control-- Policy
Negotiations
& Legislation-- Treaties-- (1987-)
98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL PROTECTION
ARMS CONTROL
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
MILITARY STRATEGY
NATO
NEGOTIATION
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
SPEECH
WARFARE
WEAPONS