In the beginning, there was M.A.D., Mutual Assured Destruction. The theory was, if we hurl ICBMs (Inter Continental Ballistic Missiles) at the Soviet Union, or they at us, the folks on the receiving end would have time to launch their own missiles in a counter-attack and both would be obliterated. Thus, both we and the Soviets are deterred from starting a nuclear conflagration.
Now the U.S. wants to build a space-based shield, the Strategic Defense Initiative (disparagingly called ‘Star Wars’ by its detractors) against ICBMs. The Soviets says this is destabilizing. They don’t want us to build and deploy such a system.
One aspect of MADness seems never to be mentioned. In remaining vulnerable before the Soviets we are defenseless before everyone. Is it realistic (or safe) to assume that the only ones who might start throwing things at us are the Soviets?
Perhaps there was a time when it seemed we could not (nuclearly) be threatened by any but the Soviet Union. Those days are gone. As an increasing number of Despots, Tinhorn Dictators and Flakes become nuclear-capable the U.S. must be prepared to protect itself from them. Even non-nuclear devices pose a threat deserving of protective measures.
To have adopted M.A.D. in the first place was madness; to remain vulnerable to any and all is lunacy.