Obama's chance to end the fantasy that is Star Wars
The US has spent $160bn – only to increase the danger to itself and the rest of us
Sure, maybe one day scientists will discover some way to evaporate nukes in the brief window before they strike. Maybe they will discover how to turn lead into gold – a pursuit that obsessed Europe's best minds for centuries. Maybe aliens will get in touch. But none of these assumptions is a sensible basis for government policy. Full Story »
Posted by Chris Finnie
Offensive nuke missiles are cheaper than effective defensive systems by orders of magnitude; build a defense and they will overcome it. You may be able to hit a bullet, but which bullet will you aim for when there are decoys along with the nukes? Can you hit it if there is a high altitude burst to mess up your trackers? Even a hit nuke will spread dirty radioactive material all around the target zone. Nukes can also come in on ships and cruise missiles, where no missile defense works. I worked on both Star Wars I and Star Wars II, and I am a doubter.