SDI

• In the 1980s, computer and laser technology developed rapidly. In the early years of the 1980s American scientists presented President Reagan with the possibility of deploying an anti-nuclear weapons system in outer-space.

• The Strategic Defense Initiative was a program designed to insulate the United States from a nuclear attack.

• The program raised four main questions:

1. This will be a very costly endeavor. Is it worth it? Will it cause major financial problems for the United States?

2. What will be the Soviet response? Will they not develop anti-anti-nuke technology, requiring us to develop anti-anti-anti-nuke technology? Won't this become infinite cycle of waste?

3. How certain can we be of this system's functioning?

4. If the Soviet's discover we are about to become bulletproof, won't this prod them to bomb us before the system is in place?

DECISION: Given these considerations, should you go forward with this project?

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