> Or, you would make the enemy's bomb ineffective. Everything in the nuclear arena is existential, including countermeasures. Hence the treaty limitations on m

> Or, you would make the enemy's bomb ineffective. Everything in the nuclear arena is existential, including countermeasures. Hence the treaty limitations on missile defense and mania for “Star Wars” (orbital anti missile systems) in the 80’s. An advance that checkmates your rival’s nuclear capability could escalate to a preemptive conflict pretty quickly.