> And therefore a rational opponent will perceive such a shield as a mortal danger So let me explain how nuclear geopolitics actually works ... Neither Moscow

> And therefore a rational opponent will perceive such a shield as a mortal danger So let me explain how nuclear geopolitics actually works ... Neither Moscow nor Washington believe in MAD, and never have. This became apparent during the talks between Reagan and Gorbachev (or whoever wasn't drunk at the time.) Both sides thought it was folly to not have an actual defensive capability besides game-theory wonks. Thus Moscow has a shield - an ABM system in a ring around the city. The US SDI "Star Wars" program was/is likely successful for space-based kinetic defense, but not the original laser stuff. What Moscow doesn't like is changes to the status quo, like the early Shuttle doing sudden LEO maneuvers. Buran was developed basically to bomb Washington without notice, as retaliation for the Shuttle being able to do that to Moscow. And Putin is a very different adversary than a bunch of old drunks distracted with an imploding empire.