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Missile Defense

Russian military leaders have expressed concern about US plans for a national missile defense system. Will defense technology be limited by possibilities for a strategic imbalance? Is this just SDI all over again?

rshowalter - 05:03pm May 15, 2001 EST (#3923 of 3926)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

In our new world of "instantaneous world-wide awareness" perceptions can differ greatly. Distrust of NMD by Russia is involved with this.
1349: almarst-2001 3/22/01 10:46pm

rshowalter - 05:04pm May 15, 2001 EST (#3924 of 3926)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

I may have been wrong about the optimism here, but think it bears repeating, and is worth a try - as part of a logically incremental way of proceeding involving other patterns, as well, as we struggle to find better ways of interacting than we have now.
1350: rshowalter 3/22/01 10:50pm ... 1352: rshowalter 3/22/01 10:53pm

NO ONE can reasonably be asked to surrender real security. A workable deal must increase REAL security for all concerned, taking everything into account.

I think, with this well remembered, nuclear disarmament is practical. Soon.

If full nuclear disarmament isn't achievable, reductions, and improvements in controls, that keep the world intact certainly ought to be. The current levels and controls are just nuts.

rshowalter - 05:07pm May 15, 2001 EST (#3925 of 3926)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

We may need more ways of dealing with (and getting at) "evil people" as well.

In my view, if nuclear weapons are "thinkable" -- then to control them, a lot of other things, may have to be thinkable, too, under carefully controlled conditions.

We need a way of accounting for human costs -- we can't just set the suffering and death of the many aside, because of prohibitions that seem sensible on the basis of some old, crude experience.

rshowalter - 05:11pm May 15, 2001 EST (#3926 of 3926)
Robert Showalter showalte@macc.wisc.edu

Now, I've got to think more about some tough points almarst has set out, and some others by gisterme.

I'm finding the points tough. Almarst , I'm moving slowly, and I apologize.

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