zrm@mit-eddie.UUCP (Zigurd R. Mednieks) (06/17/84)
I believe Reagan's speech on "High Frontier" type defense at least mentioned build-down as being more implementable once cheating on the part of the other side is both less attractive and less likely to be of value if push comes to shove. One scenario that gets very little discussion is a possible nuclear strike against the big ships in our Navy. Just what would be our response? Would an ABM system that deterred such an attack not be of great value in stabilizing the situation? What about other miltary targets? What about the ability of a partial ABM shield to slow down the escalation of a nuclear war, giving both parties more time to think about detroying civiliation? It seems that anything that makes nuclear weapons less destructive (by making them less likely to work) is a good idea. Cheers, Zig