Careful what you wish for. Missile defense is going to be viewed as an offensive weapon by any adversaries (and probably most/all of the folks pushing for it d

Careful what you wish for. Missile defense is going to be viewed as an offensive weapon by any adversaries (and probably most/all of the folks pushing for it domestically as well). If you can destroy most of your target's counter-strike, deterrence against starting a nuclear war from mutually assured destruction is no longer a consideration. With an effective missile "defense" the US can first-strike nuke whomever they please with "acceptable" consequences for those in power (hiding in their bunkers). We have had presidents since Reagan who have lamented that they couldn't use our nukes.