Page "Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty" Paragraph 18

Regardless of the opposition, Reagan gave every indication that SDI would not be used as a bargaining chip and that the United States would do all in its power to build the system.

The Soviets were threatened because the Americans might have been able to make a nuclear first strike possible.

In The Nuclear Predicament, Beckman claims that one of the central goals of Soviet diplomacy was to terminate SDI.

A surprise attack from the Americans would destroy much of the Soviet ICBM fleet, allowing SDI to defeat a “ ragged ” Soviet retaliatory response.

Furthermore, if the Soviets chose to enter this new arms race, they would further cripple their economy.

The Soviets could not afford to ignore Reagan ’ s new endeavor, therefore their policy at the time was to enter negotiations with the Americans.

By 1987, however, the USSR withdrew its opposition, concluding the SDI posed no threat.