One of the cornerstones of US national security is its ability to fend off missile attacks. This consideration has been relevant since the introduction of strategic nuclear weapons, yet it was not until President Reagan that the government attempted to implement large-scale defense initiatives meant to protect the US from nuclear threats. Although the intent seemed reasonable, there were numerous objections, including technical inability to implement such a system, violation of international treaties, and increasing international tensions (Star Wars and the anti-missile system, 2020). Reagan’s program proved ineffective and was terminated in Clinton’s years. However, the attempts to pursue stronger missile defense continued despite the violation of treaties and overall inefficiency.
The subsequent argument is whether the missile defense should come at the expense of international peace and large, ineffective budget expenditures. Lawyers, ethicists, and political activists criticize the US Government for overemphasizing the importance of missile defense. Not only do the initiatives designed to extend the US nuclear shield threaten the security of other nations, but they also harm Americans themselves. Technical difficulties accompanied the existence of such programs, which resulted in numerous failures. All of these initiatives required large budget expenditures, which could have helped solve social issues.
Nevertheless, the efforts to enhance the American defensive system have continued. The international community, including China, has responded with criticism and proceeded to increase their own nuclear arsenals. The reason why improving nuclear defense is a threat to other countries lies in the hypothetical ability to intercept enemy missiles and attack them without any repercussions. If the US decides to expand its missile defense, it could damage the delicate nuclear balance and push countries into another nuclear arms race.
URL for the article describing case: Web.
This article talks about ethical implications of prioritizing national defense at the expense of people’s well-being: Web.
References
Sherry, M. (1999). Human guinea pigs. The New York Times. Web.
Star Wars and the anti-missile system: From Reagan to Clinton. (2020). Web.